Pun Pun

Pun Pun means; “variety”
"We run our farm, community, and programs based on an experimental and experiential learning approach..." http://www.punpunthailand.org/

Sa wat dii (hello) Arriving back just before noon when the truck to Pun Pun will leave. No scheduled bus system here, just the kindness of others. I meet Lara & Phil also heading up to the farm. A recently married couple from Main. We chat, get to know each other as we bump along the 3 hour journey. The truck makes frequent stops; pick up a load of fresh goods and a few vendors from an open food market, deliver those goods &/or people to another open market, pick up a friend who needs a ride home, it’s a wonderful introduction in how to efficiently get good and people where they need to be. Lara does permaculture and Phil is a musician who were just in India for a month, a lavish honeymoon. I am so happy to meet my first new friends and so glad to share to search for Pun Pun.

Finally, off the truck and through the paddy fields, we arrive. Immediately, we happen to see Patty, one of the owners of this land. Patty and her husband Joe, a partner bought the land and simply intended to have a family farm. A beautiful piece of land stretching over rolling hills, lakes and reservoirs that they’ve built it up over only the last six years. It’s amazing to see what has sprouted so quickly just over the past six years, very fertile land. Joe and Patty both have an extensive knowledge of natural building and farming, having both grown up on farms. Her in Colorado and him just north of here in Thailand. Pun Pun means; “variety.” There is a small jungle of fruit trees, vegetable gardens and now over a dozen mud, straw and bamboo structures. The word variety though, to the Thai extends beyond flavor and choice, it applies to people, ideas and beyond which, I finding this magical place holds much of.

I have been working in the gardens; seed saving; taking the seeds from planted vegetables and setting them aside to gift and next years harvest. I will also be helping to plaster to the earth house almost complete. My little home away from home is the little adobe structure with the thatch roof and hammock out front.

I rained last night and bit through the morning. Very welcomed, it has not rained since last October. Just a light shower to cool things off, water to ground and clear some of the smoky air. They have controlled burns this time of the year to clear paths through the forest but, Patty speculates that there has been extra intentional fires to cover up opium growing to the federal helicopters that seem to fly over a few times per day. A small Humbolt of Thailand. The rain does clear the air some and now the view stretches for many more miles.

Tahn, their son is a sweet vivacious 4 year old. His name is Tahn, Tawni. Tan or Tawn in Thai means “to give.” :) Oh what it would be like to grow up here! I think I am learning as much from him as any others; cooking tips, language and great paper airplanes.

I am enjoying slowing down, eating all garden fresh meals, reading, reflecting and listening to the wildlife sing. There has been a funeral 5 day funeral across the valley. We’ve been listening to the music, chatting, prayers and celebration of life. I took one full day off and taking it slowly here and there to heal this flu buggy that is still with me. This is a wonderful place to heal.

A typical day so far, includes working in the gardens; replanting, seed harvesting/saving, watering (by hand; building big muscle, errrrr) evenings; I read, write, share stories with other guests. Go to bed early; the lil’ mud hut w/ thatch roof is my home.

Khawp Khun, laa kawn (Thank you, good-bye ;)