Savannah's Blog

It seemed like we returned home too soon. As we glanced out our plane windows, America brilliantly shined back at us. It was though the cities below us were alive- bursting with tints of gold and white lights. And we were rapt by such a sight. For the week prior, stars were the only things that lit the midnight sky.

We arrived in Thailand on April 3rd. As we ambled off the plane we wiped our brows and tugged up our sleeves- it was approximately 98 degrees with humidity. But if that didn’t steal our breaths, the scenery did. The scent of summer rain hung calmly in the air. Wildflowers embellished the sides of the road and accompanied the ivy as it climbed up the fatigued brick walls. A sapphire winged butterfly waltzed past us and through the bustling contenders of the market as we loaded into the bus. Already we were struck by Thailand’s enchanting beauty. But as we drove off, little did we know there was so much more that defied the definition of beautiful.

We had to take a boat to reach our initial destination. Jet lagged and tired, we loaded our packs into our reeua and perpetually snapped pictures of our novel surroundings- such as citizens enjoying cooled tea on the docks and monkeys capering playfully on the rooftops. Before the boat sped off though, some of us climbed onto its hood and sat in the tire seats so that the wind could sigh on our faces while we admired the distant mountains and brilliant blue water. The hum of the motor and the excitement inside of us kept us from dazing off. We reached our hotel-like bungalows by nightfall.

Over the next couple of days we woke to the sunrise along the beach. The mountains were still behind a light veil of lavender mist, while a subtle hue of blue met a stream of rose at their peaks. As the sun emerged, we walked along the shore and collected seashells, unique bottles, and dried sponges. The only thing that could lure us away was the inviting smell of breakfast.

We were all nervous about the food. Before we left for the trip, our parents and friends told us to expect not to eat much. But their persistent warnings were not needed. The food was amazing. Every meal included white rice, steamed vegetables with sweet and sour sauce, and freshly sliced watermelon and pineapple. At breakfast we gorged ourselves also with one inch thick banana pancakes drizzled with cool honey, scrambled eggs or vegetable stuffed omelets, sticky rice topped with sweetened fruit, and fluffy Thai donuts (funnel cake without the powdered sugar). At dinner and lunch we enjoyed not only the basics, but warm pumpkin, hot vegetable curry, steamed cabbage with egg, and other luscious dishes. Everything was incredible or as the Thai may say, “di- mah!”

For about two days we stayed with a host family. Although they spoke little English and all we knew how to say in Thai was “sawatdee-kah/kop,” (hello/ goodbye) we enjoyed our mornings and nights with them. From after breakfast to just before dinner, though, we were engaged in a variety of fun activities with our amazingly “chill” and amiable guides Tiff, Dave, Moo, Andy, and Tom. We rock climbed sixty feet off the ground, surpassed a total of fifteen to twenty miles of kayaking by the end of the trip, painted batiks, hiked through the depths of the jungle, cooked mouthwatering Thai dishes, helped make rubber, swam in the warm, refreshing water, kick boxed with professionals, and learned how to make rice, which is a laboring process of picking, grinding, and hammering. Every activity we participated in was magnificent and culturally eye opening. Unfortunately it all went by too fast, and on day three we said, “sawadee-kah/kop” to our host families and left for our next destination.

After a two hour bus ride and an hour of boating, we finally reached the floating bungalows. Constructed from bamboo, our individual huts floated on the bay. As we explored, we discovered that we all had back porches that overlooked the water and mountains. Although the sunset was behind us, at twilight the sky was a fragile pink and pale blue before night settled in. Many of us pulled our mattresses onto the porch, and we all fell asleep to the water’s lullaby beneath the stars.

The next day we saw elephants! Wild elephants! They were probably the most breathtaking things we had seen on the trip. After kayaking for an exhilarating hour, we were about to call it quits on our wildlife search. Suddenly Tom’s hand rose and we fell instantly silent. He waved us over around the bend and pointed to a collapsed ridge. There were three elephants- a mother, father, and baby. Mud and water shot from their trunks as they bathed themselves. The monkeys whistled above them and the king fisher’s laughed out our excitement. Then they spotted us. Quickly two of them hurried into the jungle- the sound of cracking and snapping bamboo erupted behind them. The biggest elephant eyed us suspiciously before he backed out of the water and raised his trunk cautiously. Someone suggested that he was “posing for us” but the worry in Tom’s voice to “not move” suggested otherwise. Then the elephant disappeared- his gray hide fading into the jungle’s darkness.

Our last two adventures were probably the most exciting. The first one was our journey into a cave. As we trekked through the cold streams and hiked over the rocks, our footsteps and voices echoed off the walls. Then Andy told us all to turn off our head lamps and listen. The cadence of the water, buzz of the lazy bats, grumbles of the toads, scratching of the spiders, and distant hymn of the Booboos flowed into our ears as we stood in absolute darkness. For a split second we had all stopped breathing. However, the most suspenseful and challenging part was swimming through a narrow opening to get to the exit. Tom helped us slip down into the water. With our bags on one arm and our headlamps strapped tightly on, we waded to the rope and pulled ourselves between the looming walls. One by one we descended into the opening. Then we saw sunlight.

The final hike of the trip was the most rigorous, but worth it. After hiking through the jungle and carefully climbing over the eroded limestone, we reached the top. It overlooked everything- the floating, bungalows, the ridge, and the rest of the jungle. We could see as far as the mist let us. Then it was all white- a veil of endless beauty cast over the mountains.

Thailand was one of the most “amazing”, “exciting”, and “inspiring” trips we have ever been on. But not only did we experience a new culture and take part in unbelievable activities and adventures, we also all became friends. Throughout the entire trip we cheered each other on, supported one another, and never complained. It was trip that we will truly never forget. After our plane descended onto the Newark runway, we quickly retrieved our bags, which were stuffed with souvenirs, and scurried through security so that we could see our families again. As we all gave each other one last hug, though, we shouted, “Sawadee-kah!” before heading home. It was the best spring break any of us have ever had.

Savannah Kuper
Manasquan High School
Thailand 2010

Thailand Blog 3

The one thing I was most surprised by on this trip was the food. I ate a bunch of things that generally back at home I would never eat. Generally, I am not extremely open-minded when it comes to food, but I've eaten everything that was served to me. I was pleasantly surprised by everything.

Another thing that really surprised me was the overall open-mindedness of everyone. We've done several things that put people out of their comfort zone. When we went mountain climbing, nobody thought they would be able to do it, and several people were afraid of heights. However, everyone at least tried it, and almost everyone made it to the top of the climb. Watching this was somewhat inspiring to me. They were forced out of their comfort zone and achieved something they didn't think they were capable of.

Sean Kosowsky
Manasquan High School
Thailand 2010

Thailand Blog 2

Here we are in Thailand! Before we left America, I was feeling a strong mixture of excitement and fear. After the long distance of worthwhile traveling, I realized there was nothing to fear and everything to be excited about. Everyday, every hour i have been faced with a new experience even better then the last. i have tried new things, seen the most beautiful landscapes, and learned more about myself. I think that it is important for people to partake in trips like this to be pushed from their comfort zones and learn more about themselves and the huge world around them.

Chloe Darche
Manasquan High School
Thailand 2010

ManasquanThailand Blog 1

When we ambled outside the airport, one word made its way into my mind: beautiful. If the humidity didn't steal my breath, the scenery did. The scent of summer rain hung calmly in the air. Wildflowers embellished the sides of the road and accompanied the ivy as it climbed up the fatigued brick walls. A sapphire winged butterfly waltzed past us and through the bustling contenders of the market as we loaded into the bus and drove off.

Even though it is only day three of our trip, it has been so far enlightening, inspiring, and overall amazing. I am already half way through my journal and will probably run out of pages. Eagerly, I write or sketch every event in which we have engaged including kayaking, rock climbing, swimming, cooking, kick boxing, and home stays are all of the activities cherished. When I think back I can still taste the curry spices rushing through my mouth, smell the sweat of the boxing gloves, or feel the warm caress of the brilliant sea glass green water against my exhausted body.

And everyone is so amiable and patient. As we try to communicate and learn about their culture. Now I love smiling and saying"sawadee ka" to everyone we meet. This experience surpassed perfection.

Savannah Kuper
Manasquan High School
Thailand 2010

Thailand: A Teacher's Perspective

From kayaking, to the cave hike, to the madness of Bangkok, our leaders Andy and Courtney created a group dynamic that was supportive, engaging and fun. I watched young adults push themselves. I watched new friendships emerge. I saw kindness, understanding and intrigue.

Our ears were open and eyes wide. Our guides were given full attention. Their knowledge and personalities kept the students engaged. Through the heat, humidity and strenuous activities, we were educated, entertained and immersed. Immersed in a place that seemed out of reach before being there.

Time seemed out of place and everything was better than I could have imagined. This was not my first trip to Thailand. It was my best trip to Thailand. I gained a renewed perspective on life and inspiration.

What I liked most about the trip is that I never felt like a tourist. We did so much away from the tourist attractions that we did not see other westerners for the first eight days.

One thing that really stands out was our community service activity with a local high school. I was impressed with both our students and the Thai students ability to communicate and cooperate with little understanding of each others' language. Together they built a sustainable garden which has since been added to and grown to three time the size of the original.

The service project was important because neither Andy or me wanted to do something just for the sake of doing it. To hear that what we helped start has grown and is contributing to the betterment of their school community has strengthened my belief in World School's mission.

World School doesn't just you send you on a trip. They give you an experience that lasts forever.

Mike FLynn

High Tech High International

Thailand 09

Elly's Blog

To be quite honest, our immersion trip to Thailand was not perfect. We did not always munch on beautifully prepared dishes, we did not always travel through cool, temperate country sides, and we did not always get along despite the fact that the majority of us have been friends for four years. There was food poisoning, heat stroke, arguments, and annoyances. By the end of the trip, it seemed as though everyone was ready to return home. But through this trip, I think we all learned something new about ourselves. By feeling uneased by our surroundings, we grew to be so much more comfortable in our own skins. I think I would have been happy to stay a couple more weeks.

There was also an abundance of good things. We had the opportunity to re-explore and rekindle friendships that had faded over time. Some of us even put aside old stereotypes to find a hidden persona in someone that we thought we had all figured out. We visited palaces, we went “island hopping,” we kayaked, and boxed, and slept in floating bungalows. We caught tree frogs, bravely chased off snakes and spiders, watched dusty langurs swing from tree top to tree top, and gained a new found appreciation for rice bowls. Thailand, the land of smiles, was spectacular!
For me, such a trip would not have been possible had I not received so much financial aid from High Tech High International and World School. Well over half of my trip was paid for. I worked over 40 hours in the community to be considered for the scholarships. Time flew by, believe me and I cannot begin to express my sincere gratitude. If someone in my poor financial situation can raise enough money to travel to a place as far-off as Thailand, any one can. I am utterly grateful.

I think that the most valuable thing I walked away with from this trip is that any day that starts with banana pancakes is going to be really good. Aside from that, I think that finding a way to live in the moment is the best way to find fulfillment in anything. There’s too much disappointment in the ever-changing future and the solidified past. But if you make it a point to be conscious all of the time and not just think of what’s coming next, you’re ultimately going to run into something life changing. And overall, I think everybody needs a little change because, as Alvin Toffler says, “Change is the process by which the future invades our lives, and it is important to look at it closely, not merely from the grand perspectives of history, but also from the vantage point of the living, breathing individuals who experience it.”

Elly Brown
High Tech High International

Thailand 2008