Maryknoll Retreat and Meetings 2010

Travel to Hua Hin
15 January 2010

Maryknollers began arriving in Bangkok from various Asian countries as long as four or five days ago. Some did specialized shopping for their projects. Most had doctor appointments for check-ups and treatments not available in their mission countries. This morning saw the last of the running around before the whole group took a bus to the southern Thai city of Hua Hin.

food vendor on Bangkok street Part of the charm of Bangkok is the sheer amount of food available on the streets. It is entirely possible to eat all meals from sidewalk vendors who are everywhere. And it's quite cheap to do so.

Crowded Bangkok street The sidewalks of Bangkok are notoriously crowded mainly because of all the vendors. It's hard to tell there is even a sidewalk behind the lady in black.

Exhibit honoring the king More prominent than usual are MANY displays of respect and honor for Thailand's king who is getting quite old and has been sick often in the past year. Perhaps the increased number of displays reflects an intensified concern about his death and succession.

Getting on the bus to Hua Hin Finally at 1:00 PM it was time to board the bus for the three-hour trip to the small southern Thai town of Hua Hin.

Lindsay and Lisa Lindsay Doucette (left) is the newest Maryknoller to join Maryknoll Asia South. She just arrived in Asia and came to the Hua Hin meetings before going on to her assignment in Cambodia where Lisa Pirie is another lay missioner.

Chatting at a rest stop There was a rest stop on the way to Hua Hin that gave people a chance to catch up after not seeing each other for a year.

Unloading the bus in Hua Hin At the Salesian Retreat Center in Hua Hin the luggage and supplies were unloaded and then everyone found his or her room.

Catching up with friends Then, after settling in, there was more time to catch up with friends. Some of the group walked over to the beach to see if the Gulf of Thailand was still there.

Waiting for dinner Before supper, many gathered in an open area between the wings of the retreat center to talk while waiting for the time to eat.

Amy Braun After supper there was a short meeting to talk about the house policies and to introduce the leader for this year's retreat, Fr. Felix Wilfred from India. Here Amy Braun explains some of the procedures that have changed since last year.

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	Part of the charm of Bangkok is the sheer amount of food available on the streets. It is entirely possible to eat all meals from sidewalk vendors who are everywhere. And it's quite cheap to do so.
	The sidewalks of Bangkok are notoriously crowded mainly because of all the vendors. It's hard to tell there is even a sidewalk behind the lady in black.
	More prominent than usual are MANY displays of respect and honor for Thailand's king who is getting quite old and has been sick often in the past year. Perhaps the increased number of displays reflects an intensified concern about his death and succession.
	Finally at 1:00 PM it was time to board the bus for the three-hour trip to the small southern Thai town of Hua Hin.
	Lindsay Doucette (left) is the newest Maryknoller to join Maryknoll Asia South. She just arrived in Asia and came to the Hua Hin meetings before going on to her assignment in Cambodia where Lisa Pirie is another lay missioner.
	There was a rest stop on the way to Hua Hin that gave people a chance to catch up after not seeing each other for a year.
	At the Salesian Retreat Center in Hua Hin the luggage and supplies were unloaded and then everyone found his or her room.
	Then, after settling in, there was more time to catch up with friends. Some of the group walked over to the beach to see if the Gulf of Thailand was still there.
	Before supper, many gathered in an open area between the wings of the retreat center to talk while waiting for the time to eat.
	After supper there was a short meeting to talk about the house policies and to introduce the leader for this year's retreat, Fr. Felix Wilfred from India. Here Amy Braun explains some of the procedures that have changed since last year.