5 Days in Chaing Dao

Oh where do I start?! On Thursday 9th February, thirty three year 10 students and 4 teachers set off on a journey to the Makhampom Living Theatre Company in Chaing Dao. The students completed three workshops for their GCSE Drama coursework, but also were treated to acrobatics, dance, mask and shadow puppetry workshops before visiting and performing to the people of a local hill tribe village. And all this set in the hills rice fields and glorious surroundings of Northern Thailand? With fresh air, traditional home cooked Thai food and stunning weather? Yes...it was perfect!

I like the weeing man!

Lunch being prepared

The washing up station

Banana trees

My morning view

My bedroom...surprisingly comfortable

Some excellent shadow puppetry from the kids - all hand
made puppets!

Sunset

The leader of the Pang Daeng hill tribe - so
welcoming! They taught us their local
village dance.

Stilt walking - I managed 3 steps with A LOT
of help!

Hand made spinning tops - I was much better
at this

Handmade clothing, jewellery and bags were on sale when
we visited the community. 

My bedroom from the outside

Masks made by the students

The local community also treated us to performances
of dance, acrobatics and singing

Good food! 

It was a relaxing, energising, inspiring, humbling, thought provoking few days. I loved it. Highlights...the food - khao soi gai, massuman curry, roti, fresh salads. The weather - perfect summer camping weather, really warm in the day, cooler in the evening and cold at night (even slept with a hoodie on!). The fresh air - so nice to take a deep breath and smell...the countryside! The activities - learnt so much. The Pang Daeng visits - beautiful people, a beautiful place. The ethos. Coming back feeling enthused. The views. The slower, calmer pace. 

The last time I felt like this I was training or working on a superweek for a wonderful company called ATE. I need to do more...!