Debriefing Meeting and Dinner by the Sea

Tuesday afternoon we held a debriefing meeting with all the students. It was the first time they were all together since our tour of Trang on Saturday. As the students gathered, they excitedly exchanged stories about their host families, schools, and their teaching.



As we started the meeting, we asked to the students to share their thoughts and feelings related to being in a new cultural environment. The students shared many positive experiences. And even when the students shared some of their challenges and frustrations, we were greatly impressed that they managed to laugh about them rather than really complain about them. We feel blessed to be here with such a great group.

After the meeting, we had a feast by the sea. Hadsamran means "beautiful beach," and the students had the pleasure of dining along the beach the area is named for, in a covered cabana right on the beach. We ate at the Tun Baa restaurant, which is part of a small beach resort for local Thais. The restaurant and resort is owned by one of the teachers at the high school, Mrs. Thanawan, who is the host mother of Lora Beth. Lora Beth proudly showed off her small beach bungalow. We were amazed when all twelve students went inside the tiny room and stayed there for over 15 minutes! A bit like the old college trick of seeing how many students could fit inside a phone booth.

For dinner we had a feast of seafood plus fried and sticky rice. As we began dinner, the sun was just beginning set, casting a red glow on the beach and water, and on the small islands dotting the sea. After dinner, the students went for a walk along the beach with only the moonlight to guide their way.