These everyday wonders were the driving force behind my photos. While I was in Thailand, I got to do various things. During the beginning of my vacation, I stayed in my little hometown of Wanchik. Wanchik is a small village in mid-Western Thailand. It was known for it’s rice, fish, and was once a productive tourist location. Now, it’s more or less like a ghost town due to lack of business. I also was able to experience school life in Phitchit, a more modern town next to Wanchik. The school experience in Thailand is somewhat similar to America. The main difference, I believe, would be that Thai schools are strict concerning conduct and appearance, like a private school here would be. All the students pretty much looked the same and conducted themselves in an orderly manner. However, they still know how to make a foreigner feel welcome, and I was really grateful for that. One of the things I made a picture of was the Thai spirit house. They can be seen everywhere in Thailand and most families have them right on their doorstep. Thai people are very superstitious and believe that the spirit house contains the souls of the family’s departed ancestors.

Thai people often leave offerings of fruit and water to please the ancestors and would not touch another family’s spirit house because they fear they might later become possessed by an angry, departed family member. I made a picture of the spirit house because, to me, it shows how interesting and how superstitious Thai culture is. Another picture that I made was of a group of Thai people putting gold leaf on to an ancient Buddha statue at a temple. This is a tradition practiced by Thai people every few weeks. This is a very symbolic tradition. It symbolizes the attempt by people to extend Buddhist life and culture. I was really inspired by this and I made a picture of it so that I can extend Buddhist life as well by helping to educate those who are not aware of Buddhism with some of its practices.