We went with about nine other foreigners to the burmese refugee camp about 45 minutes away today. The main reason we were allowed to go in was because they were having a wedding. We left about 7am (loaded into a car that was definitely not meant for the 14 people it was carrying) and went to the wedding. It was about one hour long and relfected similarly to a christian style wedding in the states (camp is half christian and half buddhist). Of course, we didn't understand much more than the song happy wwedding to you (same tune as happy birthday to you). This obviously wasn't too big a deal as the bride didn't understand most of he wedding herself as it was in burmese and she was from karenni state and didn't speak burmese. we were then invite very graciously to eat at the wedding breakfast/lunch. While this was very nice, it was not greatly appreciated as I had to eat mystery meat again (BAD taste and all fat). I helped jamie and one of the vegetarian girls with the meat they took thinking it was potatos. I have been burbing up nasty meat flavor for hours now. I smiled as inwardly I felt like gagging. But it was VERY nice and they were great hosts. Many of the medics were there so they showed us around the camp afterward.
We went up to a medics house (girl works at mae tao clinic and mom still lives at camp). It was actually much nicer than we expected. Very clean, made out of bamboo and branches with a leaf roofing. About thirty of us came in where they offered us soda, watermelon, and little pastries. Once again treating us very well as guests. Jamie and I are very glad we are feeling better today as if we had not, it would have been impossible to eat the food they served us. The food at the girl's house was good though (i can never complain about watermelon). We then walked to the clinic that was in the opposite direction (we had thought we were walking to the clinic). We walked over a bridge that we were told we weren't supposed to cross by the medical coordinator at the clinic, but the medics said okay, so we went.
We got to the clinic, which was large with a green tarp over it. Outside, teenage boys were playing soccer. We waited to see if we could get permission to see the clinic. After about 15 minutes, it was decided that we could not, so we headed out about 11:45 am to come back to mae sot. It was an interesting experience. For one, I feel guilty for thinking it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I am attaching a couple of pictures of the food and the area.
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