Smile and Wai

Adventure of the weekend. Several things:
Saturday:
*Got to see Maggie! Though short I am so thankful and glad I got to see her!!!!!!! http://maggiemcdonald.theworldrace.org
*Went down town with our lovely group for touring the old city (where the mote is and remnents of the castle?)
*Got to shop at the night Bazzar to get things like pants, and a skirt, sandals, a purse, and some dinner. (Things in Thailand are really good deals for shopping! Especially if you like to bargain :) )
Really glad that we found some Thai Pants and Skirt for about 4 dollars and 8 dollars :) ).
*Bug challenge!! Challenge to try the fried bugs off the street! (I got out of it because I tried them in Korea) So funny! But to us .. umm... not the tastiest food on the market by far!!
*So many people! But it was fun. Praise God we were all safe and made it home. Most of us do not have phones yet, or a mobile form of communication. So thankfully we made it all back okay.

So why is the title smile and wai? Those are two things that you need here! Even though we can not speak the language, especially in the night market it is interesting to see so many people. But if you notice, some are serious, some tired, some sad, some annoyed. It is amazing to think that God has given us such beautiful things as smiles. They can communicate so many things. But a genuine smile can lift a heart as well. That is why here, though you can not speak the language, the joy inside can seep out a bit with a smile. Wai is for politeness and for grace. So ... what to do ? Smile and wai.

If you are wondering what a Wai is, it is the Thai greeting which encompasses a show of respect with your hand together, meeting at the center of your chest, as you bow your head. The deepnes of the head bow/nod depends on the level of respect. For most you do not need much. Just a show of effort and a smile.  :)

~Rachel