From Earth to Walls

Andy and I went on a three day trip to Korat, a province four hours away from Bangkok. We went with the grades 7-9 students, and a handful of other teachers. Our mission for three days: build an earth house.

The earth house we built was for an organization who mainly does meditation camps. People escape to the countryside to spend days, weeks, or even months meditating each day.

It is always nice to get away from the city and breathe some fresh country air.

Our wheels (which sat and waited for three days to take us back).

The earth house the girls stayed in.
The houses are designed after the houses in Mexico. Apparently they are built to last hundreds of years.

Where the boys stayed.

The boys' house was a bit more rustic than the girls'. The windows and floors were not quite finished.

We spent the majority of the three days doing hard labour, learning how to build a house out of natural resources.
The first thing we had to do was mix mud with our feet for several hours.

Once the mud was mixed, it was ready to be made into bricks.

Each night, we spent time reflecting and meditating. Not necessarily what teenagers prefer doing, but they all complied.

All of the food served was vegetarian. This was another thing many students had to learn to get over..... "we can't eat meat for three days?!?!!!"

What Andy found for me.

My favourite kind of crop.
Potatoes.

Happy clay statues everywhere.

The grade 10-12 students came to Korat the week before. They started the house, and our job was to finish it.

By layering clumps of rice husks, hay, and mud, we built up the walls of the house.

Papaya trees everywhere. 

Some of us adults opted to sleep outside in tents- a much quieter option.

Once we finished the walls of the house. We helped paint the library, which was made by a group of students before us. This is some of the ingredients for the paint cooking up.

All of the paint is made of natural ingredients- water, sand, cornstarch and oil. No chemicals or dyes added!

The fruit of our labour! A few minor touches, a couple coats of paints, and it will be done!
The earth house we built will be used by the head monk who runs the meditation center. 

I spy with my little eye.....
some initials on the side of the earth house for life.

Aside from a serious case of heat stroke, a broken arm, a gashed knee, a fever here and there....everyone survived! It was a trip Mr.Andy and myself will never forget.