One of the most important things that contributes to the success of a Peace Corps volunteer is community integration. It’s actually enshrined in the 10 Core Expectations of being a volunteer.
This is something that I feel like I have kind of struggled with. I hit a wall with language learning because the people in my village speak a different dialect. The area that my house is in isn’t really in the village, it’s just kind of on the road. Also, because I’m a vegetarian, I often end up turning down a number of meal offers.
As my previous posts have detailed, I went on a vacation to Laos. It was quite a lengthy vacation at two weeks. But coming back gave me a number of indications that I have, at least a little bit, integrated into my community.
When I went to the Saturday market, the day after I returned, the woman who I always buy pineapple from had a huge smile creep across her face when she saw me. She asked me where I had been and if it was fun. She was also impressed that I went by myself.
Later at the market, I was buying some vegetables and the people next to me were surprised at my presence. The woman next to them explained who I was and what I did and also that I spoke Thai. So I turned and introduced myself to them.
As I walked home from the market, I stopped at a little raan-ka, or a kind of small shop that sells some necessities, for some soda and water. There were a couple of women and some kids. The women were telling the kids that I was kruu farang, or the foreigner teacher. The kids at school would call me this all the time and I always would correct them saying, mai chai! Khun kruu Kieaow Jai! (Not right! Miss Teacher Kieaow Jai, which is my Thai nickname meaning “beloved.”) The kids at the store were then correcting the adults saying, khun kruu Kieaow Jai. I smiled and responded to them and the adults were amused and I had a short conversation with them.
It’s getting easier being the only Westerner here, certainly. I know that I still have a ways to go, but these were some bright spots in my week.