I will start the story of how I became the lady who lived in the shoe that had so many children (and cats and dogs) that she didn’t know what to do. The only thing I really had planned on my trip was to go and visit an orphanage that I got connected with through Akhil. The orphanage is located in Sangkhlaburi which is in northern Thailand. I wasn’t sure when I would get there, how long I would stay, and what I would do. I filled out an application, told them all the various experiences, studies and skills I have from schooling to meditation and asked to come and help for a while. I loved the idea that the orphanage focused on a practice of meditation, yoga, and universal love and I knew for some reason or another I was meant to go there. It took me several weeks to get there as I got pulled towards the islands, retreat, Laos, and a Thai family first. Finally, I was on the bus to Sangkhlaburi, settling in for a 7 hour bus ride where I was the only Falang on the bus.
After we were about 1 hour North of Bangkok everything started to change and the scenery unfolded into a gem of magnificence and beauty beyond anything I have ever seen. As we traveled we started to see mountains off into the distance and as the day went by the closer we got until we were right on the edge of a jungle that grew over many layers of mountains. It was so green and thick and lush and dense and full of life. You could feel its age and wisdom and you could see it breathe. We began to drive into the mountain and up winding road. By this time most people were off the bus. It reminded a lot of driving in Colorado, especially when the bus was going .5 mph up a steep hill. All of a sudden we went around a bend in the road that was cutting its way through and the world opened up. There were lakes and mountain ranges there to welcome you. The sun was setting, the sky was blue and purple with perfectly painted pink clouds and the lakes were silver and on them were little tiny houses that seem to have landed from the sky. The houses had dim lights inside and I could not figure out how anybody got to and from them. They were run down, made simply from bamboo, and life was existing in them. For the first time in my life I cried because of the beauty of nature. It was like I was in a fairytale. At that moment my spirit knew I was coming to a special place…….
