Day five was bittersweet. Here’s a rundown of what we did today, all leading up to our final dinner together with our new friends.
TEMPLE
Our first stop of the day was going to the temple and taking a look around inside. We had our friends from the school show us around in small groups, and they even took us to go feed some fish in a lake. One thing I thought was very interesting was how peaceful the temple was even though it was located right off the main road. We even got to see a very large sleeping Buddha statue, which was as long as almost 4 buses, maybe even longer. After walking around, we made a quick stop at another temple, and then we went back to the school and joined the kids in some fun activities.
PAINTING
After our visit to the temple we returned to the school to finish the painting job we had started on their bathroom stalls. We applied fresh coats of pink paint. We spent about an hour painting with each other and the kids and the energy was always there. As a group, we shared music, listening to a mix of Thai songs some of the students introduced to us and some American music they listen to. While painting, we were able to sing, dance and laugh with the students and teachers between brush strokes, which made this experience feel even more connected and fun. After the paint dried, we moved into a nice lunch to replenish and refuel our bodies after being in the 100° weather. For lunch we had options for chicken wings, fries, and a Thai chicken rice noodle soup.
WATER FIGHT
We learned that in Thailand there are three New Year celebrations. One of them is the Songkran Festival, also known as Thai New Year. The experience began after we finished lunch and noticed a truck that didn’t look like anything we had seen before. Curious, we turned to our new friends (who were all wearing bright, flowery shirts) and, with the help of Google Translate, asked what it was. We found out it was a fire truck, which only made us more interested in what was about to happen.
Once everyone was done eating, we gathered to receive prayers and blessings from the monks who had arrived. After the prayer, we formed a line where we gently poured holy water into each monk’s hands to receive individual blessings. At the end of the line, we joined in a circle, dancing as people chanted songs. Everyone laughed and smiled as we took part in the kids’ traditional celebration. One tradition included applying a clay-like paste to the face, almost like game-day markings. Soon after, we were handed water guns and flower necklaces, preparing us for what was coming next.
As soon as the ceremony ended, it was game on. Teachers, staff, and students all joined in as buckets of water guns were passed around and the fire truck hose blasted water across the crowd. On that hot day, everyone ran around soaking each other. It was an absolute blast, an unforgettable experience. By the end, every single person was drenched. Some even grabbed icy water from coolers just to pour it down each other’s backs. There was no winning or losing in this water fight, only the fun. It reminded us seniors what it felt like to be kids again, running around and doing something we normally wouldn’t do. Everyone got involved, and it was hard to stop because we were having so much fun. No one had dry clothes, and no one cared. As we caught our breath, we realized this wasn’t just fun but it was also meaningful. It was both educational and nostalgic, a moment we’ll never fully get back again because we are getting older.
We thanked the students for sharing their traditions with us before saying a short goodbye. Then we headed back to the hotel to change, getting ready to return later for our final dinner and last goodbyes.
FINAL DINNER
Once everyone was changed and ready for dinner, we got back on the bus to head back to the school. When we arrived, the kids welcomed us with a musical performance, proudly sharing their instruments, talents, and the song they had memorized in preparation for our last night with them. Afterward, we were all able to sit down to eat where a variety of foods were served: some familiar dishes like white rice, pad thai noodles, and chicken fried rice along with new foods such as fish cakes, ground chicken, and a vegetable mix. Dinner was especially memorable, full of laughter and joy like the past two days we had spent with each other.
After dinner, we started performances where people would show off their musical talents. TurbanJay (stage name for our friend Jaiwant) performed, growing his global audience, and many others followed, and it was just a great experience overall for everyone; it showed us how music is a universal thing and can bring many people from different cultures altogether.
After all the performance, we said our final goodbyes. This was especially hard for us because the relationships we built over these past two days are some of the strongest bonds some of us have felt in a while.