Day 3

Last night at dinner I got my first experience with Thai traditional dance. It was really interesting; the women dancers were able to bend their fingers in amazing ways and wore traditional Thai costumes. The ride back from our river-front dinner was also a first in a Bangkok taxi. Driving here is a test in faith with all rules just being a formality, as long as you don't get hit, anything goes.

Today we went to the Ancient City (also called Thailand in a Nutshell), which was a miniature Thailand and comparable to Epcot Center at Walt Disney World minus the rides. The property it was on was shaped like the country of Thailand and it contained certain historical and modern buildings from around the country, only they were on a .7 scale of the originals. Bethany, Cassie, Renee, Bridget, and I ate lunch at the floating market, and this is where we began to meet the children. There were numerous elementary schools visiting the Ancient City with us today. Most of the children we met were eager to greet us with a "hello" or "hi" and many wanted our American autographs. They were adorable in their attempts to practice their English and talk with us.

Much like the children from any other place, the Thai children were curious about us strangers. Our height and skin color definitely makes us stand out. As they huddled together in their groups, trying to get the courage to say something, I was reminded of my own little sisters, Kelsey and Kayla. They, too, wait for a brave soul to make the first move, but once the ice is broken they are right up with the rest of them. Once the ice was broken today, there were sound of laughter, broken English, and Thai being exchanged, along with lots of autograph signing. Even though we are on the other side of the earth, with very different cultures and backgrounds, children seem to have common characteristics wherever you go.

Karissa Kramer '03
Moticello, MN