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Published: January 7th 2008
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Tanayuth
This cheeky chappie is being sponsored by Freeland folk through the money raised at the 'sell by date' party. Happy New Year
Colin is in NZ and, through a bit of a ticket mix up, I’m still here in Australia (is he trying to tell me something). I’m enjoying great hospitality on the outskirts of Melbourne with Nic and Sandra, clubbing mates of Colin’s from the 60s in Twickenham (Church Youth Club that was!!!). I’m availing myself of their fast system to upload the final chapter of the Namphong boystown story.
Those of you who braved the ‘sell by date’ feast in November may be wondering what happened to the money you donated to endure the ordeal, be assured it has been spent wisely. Half of it has been used to start another sponsorship (see the photo of Tanayuth) most of the rest was used to buy a new pump to bring water from the nearby river to the boystown reservoir. And you will be delighted to know that some was used to pay for the ice-cream we had at a party in MY honour!!!!
The boys love having visitors because it usually means they get a party and treats, so the more visitors the better. If you are considering a trip to Thailand do think about
Resevoir
Boys keeping teh surrounds to the resevoir tidy. Money I took with me paid for a new pump to bring water 800 metres from river to resevoir. making a detour to NE Thailand and stay at boystown. It will give you a chance to experience authentic Thailand off the beaten track. Anakul and John (Nigel-Brown) will make you so welcome and will help you explore the local area and enjoy some Thai experiences such as cookery lesson, the ubiquitous scooter trip, trekking in the hills, crafts, massage, beauty, traditional medicine classes even a short or long stay in the local Buddhist temple with the opportunity to practice meditation under the guidance of an English speaking monk can be arranged.
The visit to the local ‘Cobra Conservation Project’ is to be avoided though. I made the mistake of going there and sadly it was more of a zoo of the worst kind than a conservation project. But if you are dirt poor you will make your living how you can - so I guess I shouldn’t pass judgment.
On the other hand a visit to the local villages where some of the finest Thai silk in Thailand is still handmade is a must. I have the most beautiful lengths of silk for my wedding outfit but as yet no new Daughter in Law is in the
Party Time
The blue packets are biscuits each boy received as a treat. offering so I’m going to have it made up anyway and hang around outside Freeland church on Saturdays out-glitzing the invited guests at any random weddings (so watch out Ria, Bridget et al - I have the dress).
After my 2 weeks in boystown I was given a super send off. Even though it was Saturday and their day to lie in a bit the boys got up to make me a garland, say good bye and line the way as I left - it was such a lovely way to say goodbye and made me feel so special, I would have been so very very sad at leaving if it were not for the fact that I have resolved to go back again in November 2008.
If the idea of visiting the boystown appeals to you then do get in touch with me.
My next blog entry will be about our travels and adventures (Colin and me) in Indonesia and SE ASIA.
Bye for now
Rosemary
For those of you reading this who live in Freeland see if you recognise the guy in the last picture. I got talking to him on the plane
Party food
Anukul cooking chicken curry for party - chicken is a big treat, teh boystown dog is in waiting for anything that will fall to teh floor from Khon Kaen to Bangkok and it turned out that he is researching into tropical disaeses at Sydney University and his speciality is the bacteria that clobbered Rob's leg. We decided to share a taxi to teh International airport in Bangkok and on route discovered that he'd lived at 1 Parklands until he was 10 years old !!! Co-incidence eh??
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mystery man
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Mystery man
Actually the mystery man is doing research at Griffith University, not Sydney, but is indeed investigating a bacterium that might have been responsible for Rob's infection. More clues: I left Parklands when I was about 10 in 1978. It was one of those bizzarre coincindences. I'd been at a conference in Khon Kaen (on the very bacterium that might have been the culprit in Rob's infection), and had a very pleasant chat on the plane to Bangkok with Rose. "So where are you from, Rose" "Near Oxford" "Anywhere near Witney?" "Yes, a village between Oxford and Witney" "Freeland ?" Rose says: "How do YOU know about Freeland?" and so started a discussion about which families are still there, and who might remember me. For those who do know who the mystery man is, he now lives in Australia (Gold Coast), married with 3 boys aged 5, 4 and 2.