By Anna N.
During the homestay week in the Prao district, me and my group were able to live independently with a host family. At first I didn’t like it at all, it was nothing I was used to. I thought my family was okay. I was afraid of not building a connection with them. I was afraid of not building a connection with the village. But as time passed and the more activities we did altogether, we created a relationship that is unforgettable. Some activities we did was basket weave, rice plantation, cooking, baking deserts, dancing, painting, and teaching the kids English. During almost every activity, everyone’s moms and siblings came to support and guide us. This was when I realized that everyone in the village came together just for us. They came together in unison as a pack which showed me really how a village functions. Everyone, and I mean everyone, bonded so easily. From dancing to weaving, everyone participated and had a blast. By the end of the homestay, when we had to say our goodbyes, my eyes filled with tears as soon as I hugged everyone goodbye. I didn’t think I would be the one to cry, but little did I know I was one of the first to cry. I came to loving my host family and neighbors so much that I still contact them today. This experience gave me new insights and another perspective that tourists don’t get to see, the other side. Now I can understand why it takes a village to build a home.
