I’m trying to think of a better way to do this little series. It’s surprisingly the most consistent thing about my blog, but ironically not what I think people come here for. Maybe it’s just what seems like the easiest to write about….who knows. I’m hoping that for my August round up, things will look a little different over here.
But for now, let’s get into it.
The month of July was an absolute trip. The last time I was that go go go was when I went home for a few days before and after my trip to Greece. This month was mainly filled with two things: my trip to Turkey and summer camp up at my school. Both things took an extreme amount of energy and will power and I’m still trying to catch up on sleep.
Now, what I’m going to write next might be a little controversial…but…
Turkey is my favorite country in the world…
Thus far anyways.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Ari, you say that every place is your favorite… I just need to wait until you go somewhere else and then that will be your favorite.”
But I’m serious y’all.
It was the exact thing that I needed and I absolutely loved it. It was perfect. I was uncomfortable and shoved out of my comfort zone on a daily basis, but I promise you that I’ve never been happier.
I’m almost embarrassed, but also not, to say that one of the highlights was the men there. Now, I know that you’re thinking, but calm down real quick. I’ve been in SE Asia for the past 5 years, so a change of scenery is always welcome. They are just…. built different over there, and my eyes were very, very into it.
Then I had to immediately adjust my eyes to seeing small children everyday instead of gorgeous men…
After a crazy 12 days in Turkey, I headed back to Chiang Mai where I immediately went into camp mode. I had a full staff and more than enough student helpers. I thought that nothing would go wrong. This was my 4th year doing camp. I was a pro, an expert. I could handle any situation. My team was going to be unstoppable. We were going to be great. I was planned. I was prepped. I was prepared.
lol
If only I knew.
Sidebar: So, a few years ago, I was volunteering at a YoungLife Camp (Shout out summer staff 2013) and we had a week of new mothers and their babies that came. Apparently one of them had a virus and then there was an epidemic. Girls and babies were in quarantine, there was vomit everywhere, and everyone was getting sick.
This summer camp was like the Asian version of that. Except, we play by a completely different set of rules over in Thailand.
3 days into our 10 day camp the epidemic sets in. For the next week after, at least 2 or more kids were vomiting somewhere. On busses, vans, beds, classrooms, you name it. It was insanity. And as the camp director, I was in charge of everything. and Y’all. If you know my opinion on children, you know that I was not equipped for this.
It was so weird because all the kids were great. They were pretty well behaved compared to other camps I had done, but everything was just a mess. Every single outing we went on, we were armed with (CLEAR lolol) plastic bags and meds of all sorts. Parents were – understandably – freaking out and taking their kids home early.
We started the camp with 48 campers and 6 student helpers and after 14 days, we were down to 43 campers and 4 student helpers. Y’all I was never aware that so much drama could go down in two weeks. I had apparently forgotten about most of my teenage years…
After camp, there was a two day respite where I was supposed to be resting before work started. But did I rest?….
….I mean, is the world flat?
This is basically how I found myself writing up this post on my three day weekend after the first week of school instead of on an airplane taking me…anywhere. We just ended the first week of school and I’m exhausted. I’ve finally moved into my new house and I’m absolutely loving it.
I might almost be convinced to stay in Chiang Mai just a bit longer… almost.
So that’s it for the month of July.
As usual, here are some photos that capture a little bit of what the month was like.
Until next time my loves,
-Ari
