So Anna and I finally parted ways *tears!*. She’s back to America to work her new 9-5 while I am still discovering my roots with what dollars I have left. Yay! But in the meantime, next week is the International Reggae Festival in Chiang Mai – which means, even though I was just there and spent a 9 hour bus ride coming back to Bangkok, I will be back in the same city within 7 days!
I never mentioned this on this blog, but I’m actually a part of an independent record label called “Reggae Village” based in Bangkok, Thailand, and though none of my content is reggae they have asked if I could represent neo-soul while staying true to my Thai roots and American upbringing. It’s no lie, I was born and raised American – with a Thai fist. thanks, mom and pops!
( http://www.www.paireggaefest.com/ )
Anyways, during mine and Anna’s trip to Chiang Mai, there were certain things that I refused to be a part of. First is the trekking. I absolutely do not approve of trekking to the villages and using these refugees of war as a photo opportunity. These tribes include the Hmong and the Karen tribes that are left, yet little do tourists know that they were forced out of their homes during the war in the 70s where the fled to Thailand for refuge. However, since they are known as “People without a nation” they have no land to claim so their agricultural practices could become an issue of ownership with the Thai government. So their alternative means of survival? Tourism. And it is a sad reality that many of the hill tribes people will come down to the Chiang Mai city to sell their trinkets, or will surround trekkers in hopes they will get their day’s dollar. I do not want to be a part of this practice and although I acknowledge their hustle, it is damaging to their culture since it has become of monetary value versus customary and spiritual.
(I encourage everyone to do their research on the Secret War implemented by the American Government on Laos. Although this genocide was committed 30 years ago, the effects of war are alive and well today. Not all Hmongs are in tribes catering to tourists. Many of them still remain hidden in the jungle for fear of getting caught and killed by Laotian government. Let us not forget it was the Americans which originally used them against Laos and are not providing assistance!)
Second thing I’m not down with is the elephant riding or elephant shows. It’s quite simple: animal abuse! Now before calling me a tree hugger, please acknowledge Thailand’s cultural history with elephants. Not only were they used as a symbol of royalty, but they were some of our greatest companions when it came to farming. Even my own grandmother owned three elephants and used them during her time in the jungle and in the rice crops. However, issues like deforestation, poaching, and and a greater lack of natural resources have caused these animals to drastically deplete. Just within ten years their numbers have shrank in half! Now,the majority of elephants today are bred for one main purpose: TOURISM! They are trained to do stupid things like ride bicycles, play soccer, or paint a picture just to name a few. They are forced to carry several people on heavy steel seats everyday – and the lack of obedience or energy results in tazoring or stabbing. They are drugged up to increase their stamina and are forced to live in small spaces while often times being starved to death.
However, I was prepared for an alternative! There is a great place called Elephant Nature Park which actually rescues elephants from these harsh conditions and brings them to a sanctuary where they can roam free. Elephant Nature Park was founded by a local Thai activist named Lek, who could not longer withstand the abuse of these precious animals she saw around her. After tirelessly protesting, she saved whatever money she could to buy a large plot of land and took all of her rescued elephants there. Now, she only allows small groups everyday to come in where they are educated about the issues elephants face. In the sanctuary, visitors are not allowed to ride elephants nor are there any shows involved. Instead, they are given the opportunity to walk them through the jungle and bathe with them!
Unfortunately, the limit for people going into Elephant Nature Park was full for the days we were in town so we couldn’t partake in it, but I encourage everyone to check it out if they are ever in Chiang Mai: http://www.elephantnaturepark.org
And alternative to trekking? ZIP LINING through the untouched jungle! And being the overly conscious thinker that I am, I had to be picky about the company I’d go with. In Chiang Mai, you will see advertisements for “Flight of the Gibbon” surrounding the city. The less promoted one will be “Jungle Flight”. Their major difference? Price, for one. But two, Jungle Flight (also the cheaper option) is run by the local Thai people while Flight of the Gibbon is international and heavily catered towards tourists. Most people will go to Flight of the Gibbon because of its ‘reputation’, but I see it as they have more money for heavier marketing since their package is almost twice as much as the other company! anyways, I had a great time kickin’ it with my peoples:
Link for Jungle Flight: http://www.jungle-flight.com
On the bus ride home, I wanted to find a way to express my concerns about tourism without coming off as a preacher on the microphone. So what better way than to do with through a song? Lyrics will be posted up soon… Time to rest up so I can prepare for my first day of rehearsal tomorrow with the band. Eek!
Sawasdee,
Jumakae
