Fengkai, China- Operation Smile mission trip

This blog post will be slightly different from the rest- instead of focusing on the sights and the culture of Fengkai, I'll be sharing my experience of volunteering with Operation Smile. Operation Smile is an amazing organization that provides cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries to children around the world. It is also a charity that is highly personal to me, as I myself was born with a cleft palate. Fortunately, my parents were able to afford the surgery and consequently, I was able to live with little discomfort that resulted from having a cleft palate. Having previously been involved with Operation Smile in Year 8, I was aware of the work that Operation Smile did. When I heard that I was able to go on the mission trip, I was extremely glad that I would be able to not only witness firsthand how Operation Smile helps children, but also help those who share the same defect as me.

I recently got back from a week-long mission trip in Fengkai, a small county in Guangdong Province. We traveled from Hong Kong to Guangzhou by train, then, from Guangzhou, traveled four hours by bus to Fengkai. The first day was spent looking at the hospital that we would be working in for the next week, as well as introducing ourselves to the rest of the team. The whole Operation Smile team was composed of volunteers from 14 different countries. The team had members from the Operation Smile offices, doctors, nurses, corporate volunteers, videographers, students, and of course, our amazing team leaders. The variety of languages and cultures present at the mission was truly phenomenal, and I was able to try out the many "Hi"'s and "Thank you"'s that I learned from my travels. We then returned to the Apricot Flower hotel in Fengkai county to unpack and rest. The hotel was situated next to a grocery store, several local restaurants and a large community area where children and families played. We proceeded to eat dinner with several government officials, and were served a motley of traditional Chinese dishes.
Below: A photo of the student volunteers at the dinner

We were up bright and early at the crack of dawn to head to the hospital. The first day was "screening day" where we screened upwards of 200 potential patients. My specific job for that day was helping with medical records.
Below: A photo of me working at the medical records station

I was overwhelmed by the abundance of people at the hospital, yet everything went by relatively smoothly, and by the end of the day, 151 patients were chosen to receive surgery. What struck me the most was how far parents and grandparents were willing to travel in order to get surgery for their children- some traveled several days using different modes of transportation, and I was in absolute awe. One patient that I remember clearly was a toddler boy who was accompanied by two elders. After listening to the grandfather speak, I learned that he and his wife ran an orphanage and found this boy abandoned on the street- his parents either did not or could not take care of the boy and left him on the road. The man was angered at the prospect of someone abandoning a child just because of a mild deformity, and was determined to get surgery performed on the child because he believed it would increase his chances of being adopted. This truly resonated with me, as I was amazed by this man's selflessness. This was among the myriad of heartwarming stories that I heard during the trip. The work day lasted for twelve hours, and after the medical records station finished their job, I went down to the first floor of the hospital where a makeshift play area was created. I accompanied the kids, who played with small toys and colored in templates. I got the opportunity to talk to a few of the parents and grandparents of the patients, and explained to them that I had a cleft palate when I was a baby. One mother was astonished at how well I could speak (cleft palates often result in atypical consonant productions, nasal resonance, nasal airflow and altered laryngeal voice quality). I explained to them that I had received speech therapy when I was younger, and that eventually their children would be able to receive speech therapy by Operation Smile. Being able to share a personal connection between the parents and the children made me realize how I could reassure the parents that their children could, one day, live with little discomfort from their cleft lips and palates.

Below: A photo of the play area on screening day

The next few days were operating days, yet were nowhere as hectic as the screening day. I met so many amazing kids, and spent most of the days playing with children in the waiting area as well as in the play room. The kids were easily entertained by various toys, puzzles, finger-painting, bubbles and books.

I was also given the opportunity to go into the operating room and watch a cleft palate surgery. The surgeons kindly explained the different steps to the procedure, and we were able to watch the surgery from the beginning (where the patients were anesthetized) to the end (where they were brought out of the OR).

Below: An oh-so fashion forward photo of me in scrubs

There are so many thoughts and emotions that cannot be expressed through this blog post, yet my experiences will resonate with me for years to come. I hope to be given the opportunity to go on another mission trip in the future, and meet more phenomenal volunteers and patients.

Laos

A country bordering Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and China, Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. I visited Laos for six days as a part of my school's "Project Week" two years ago, and I chose this specific trip as Laos had been a place that I had never visited before. Although I had visited most of its bordering countries (Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and China), I was always intrigued by Laos, the "Land of a Million Elephants", as I wondered how it would differ from its more touristy neighboring regions.

Culture:

I was given the opportunity to experience a home stay near Phou Khao Khouay National Park, where we stayed at a local village for three nights. The family whose home I stayed in was very hospitable, and the three nights I spent there was an amazing way to immerse myself into their culture. I noticed that all of the families in the village were very welcoming, providing the best that they could for their guests. We helped the women of the household prepare the meals, and despite the language barrier, managed to learn a bit about their family and lives. It was from these small discussions that I learned that the Lao have a rich sense of humor, and genuinely enjoyed listening to our life stories. I also learned about the importance of family. Four generations shared one compound, and all gathered together, sat on the ground around a Lao-style table called the "pa kao" at the end of the day. Everything seemed so relaxed- untainted by the stresses of the world that I'm used to. Being a part of their simple, carefree life enabled me to understand the importance of slowing down and- as cliched as this sounds- enjoying each moment of life without worrying about the future.

The village was very tight-knit, and was composed of a few dozen families, an elementary school, a communal shower and a small store. The strong bond within the village was evident when I went to the communal shower with the other students on my trip. All of the females would gather around and chat while pumping water for another, helping each other pour the buckets on one another's heads when necessary. I learned that Lao culture was very much centered around collectivism versus individualism. The work and tasks were distributed amongst the whole village, whether it be welcoming the visitors or building the elementary school. On my final day at the village, all of the home-stay families organized a ritual, called the "baci". Baci is a ceremony practiced in Thailand and Laos, and is used to celebrate important occasions. The families tied white strings around our wrists to preserve our good luck, and we were told to keep them on for two days. The home-stay aspect of this trip allowed me to fully immerse myself in Laotian culture by being exposed to the daily lives and homes of local Laotian people. For those who have an opportunity to do a home-stay in any of their trips, I would highly recommend it. Staying in hotels or hostels in the city is not a truly genuine experience, nor does it allow you to experience, firsthand, the unique aspects of a country.

Sights:

Vientiane

The capital of Laos, Vientiane is a bustling city full of vitality and life. The city is very similar to Bangkok, in that there are several coffee shops and small stores that target tourists. While in Vientiane, we went to Talat Sao, or, the Morning Market, and saw all of the stalls and small clothing stores. We also went to a night market on the first night, where we tried local delicacies such as sticky rice and noodles. 

Ban Na

Ban Na is a village on the outside of Phou Khao Khouay National Park, and is known for having an Elephant Observation Tower. After a long trek, we arrived at the tower, and stayed there overnight. Fitting 15 people in that small tower was definitely a struggle, but we managed to use our Tetris skills to fit all sleeping mats without anyone having to sleep standing up. Unfortunately, we did not end up seeing any elephants, but we were exposed to beautiful scenery on our trek there, so it was worth it. 

                               

Phou Khao Khouay National Park
Phou Khao Khouay National Park is about an hour's drive from Vientiane. There's a little hut that overlooks the beautiful waterfall, as well as a walking trail where you can see mixed deciduous forests and small rivers that you can swim in. Our school trip was organized by Green Discovery Laos, and since it was a service trip, we nailed trail marks onto trees, revamped the public bathrooms and painted a crossing gate. We got the opportunity to rest, and were able to explore the beautiful sights offered in the PKKNP. Of the different monuments, temples and sights to visit, I would recommend going to the Wat Si Saket (the oldest standing temple in Vientiane) and Patuxai.
Below: Pictures of the river that we stopped by during our trek 

One place that I wish I could have gone to (but unfortunately was not on the itinerary), was the Buddha Park, which showcases an outdoor collection of a myriad of concrete sculptures. I saw pictures of the Buddha Park in a travel book, and it struck me as quirky, and almost Vientiane's version of Wonderland.

Language:

Lao is very similar to Thai, therefore my past annual visits to Thailand had helped me grasp the basic Lao phrases. 

Hello- Sa-bai-Dee

Thank you- Khawp Jai

Please- Kawlunaa

Goodbye and Take Care- Sohk Dee Deuh

Yes- Maen Leeo

No- Baw

The Maldives

The Maldives is synonymous with white sands, clear waters, exotic fish and colorful reefs. Composed of approximately 1190 islands, the Maldives is nestled in the middle of the Indian Ocean. My visit to Rangali Island approximately six years ago still clearly resonates with me to this day. I can recall the helicopter ride required to get to the island- the perfect balance of anxiety and excitement of going on my first helicopter ride fueling my adrenaline, the scenic birds eye view of the thousand tiny islands scattered around the cobalt blue ocean bedazzling my eyes. It was so picturesque, as if I was seeing one of Matisse's paintings come alive before me, with the vibrant color palette of cobalt blue, seafoam green and stark white that comprised the birds eye view.

Culture:
The culture of the Maldives is an amalgamation of various cultures from neighboring regions. As the islands of the Maldives are within the trading route of the Indian Ocean, visitors from  different regions influenced the overall Maldivian culture.

Unfortunately, since I was on a tourist island, I was unable to have a firsthand experience of local Maldivian culture. One of my many regrets is not having asked my parents if we could go to an island inhabited by locals and spend a day immersing in their culture. However, from my interactions with the people within the resort, I was able to learn a bit about Maldivian culture. I learned that Maldivian arts is melded from various different cultural influences from surrounding regions. I was introduced to the "dhoni", a sailboat unique to the Maldives, and was given the opportunity to ride one. The captain of the boat explained to me that the design of these boats was derived from that of the dhow, an Arabian sailing vessel. During one dinner, the musicians were playing a bodu-beru, a Maldivian drum made of bamboo wood and stingray hide. The sounds that the bodu-beru produces resemble those of African drumming. I was intrigued by how multifaceted Maldivian culture was. It took smaller pieces from other cultures, and, once all pieced together, created a new culture so characteristically "Maldivian".

Activities:
Although the majority of the trip was dedicated to swimming in the pool and playing on the beach, there were a few activities that I remember very clearly.

The first was dining at the underwater restaurant in the Conrad resort. The Ithaa Undersea restaurant is located 16 feet below sea level. Imagine being encased in a glass dome, seeing schools of fish swim around you, almost as though you were in a reverse snow-globe. Although I can't remember the food very clearly, the feeling of wonder and astonishment still stays with me to this day.

The next activity that I still remember clearly is a fishing trip organized by the resort. Not only was I able to see the sunset produce a fusion of pink and purple, but I also caught several red snappers and barracudas, even catching a barracuda more than half my size- not bad for a first try at fishing. Instead of using a typical fishing rod as a means of catching our fish, we used the Maldivian method of using a string with a hook attached to it. Since the Maldives has an abundance of seafood (fishing is the second largest industry in the Maldives) and a large portion of Maldivian men spend their days out fishing, it was a great experience to go through the fishing process that they go through on a daily basis. Fishing is both a job and a favorite past time deeply rooted in Maldivian culture. As former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom once said about fishing in the Maldives, "Fishing is the lifeblood of our nation, it is inborn. From the soil on which we live, to the sea around us, it remains an integral part of our existence. Fishing, and our country and its people, [are] one and shall remain inseparable forever." I felt as though I was experiencing just a small piece of Maldivian culture through fishing on the traditional dhoni boat, sharing a pastime much enjoyed by the locals.

Language:
The language spoken in the Maldives is known as "Maldivian", or "divehi". Out of all the countries I've visited and the languages that I've been exposed to, I would likely peg the Maldivian language to be one of the hardest to grasp.

Hello-Assalaamu alaikum
Please- Adhes kohfa.
Thank you- Shukuriyaa
Yes-Aan
No-Noon
Goodbye-vakivelan

Phuket

Thailand's largest island, Phuket, boasts glass-like clear waters, soft sands unparalleled by other beaches around the globe and sunsets whose beauty cannot be captured by even the most skilled artists. Phuket has been an annual vacation spot for my family ever since I was four, and I had always looked forward to playing pool-games with my sister (most of which, unfortunately, were won by her), biking around the local area outside the resort and exploring the city of Phuket.

Food:
Thai cuisine is essentially a marriage of both blander, milder flavors with spicy, intense components. The harmonious balance of these both components make up a perfect Thai dish. Thai cuisine is among my top ten favorite cuisines, and here are a few of my favorite dishes:

Pad thai
My sister's favorite thai dish, pad thai, is a stir-fried rice noodle dish that contains a motley of other ingredients such as eggs, dried shrimp and garlic. Although available in most Thai restaurants around the world, the fresh ingredients used in the local eateries in Phuket is what makes authentic pad thai so mouthwatering. Although my mom tries to recreate this dish for my sister at home, the taste just isn't exactly the same (although really close, just in case you're reading this mom).

Tom yum goong
Another thai specialty, tom yam goong is a spicy clear soup that even I find spicy (bear in mind, I have basically been taught from a young age to tolerate spicy foods). The main ingredient in tom yang goong is prawns, although it is flavored with various herb ingredients.

Ko mu yang
Thai-styled grilled pork neck is undoubtedly my favorite thai dish. I was introduced to this dish from an early age, and the first thing I order at any thai restaurant that I visit is "ko mu yang". The succulent pork neck tastes great when dipped into the sweet chili sauce. Having some steamed jasmine rice on the side really helps in balancing the toughness of the meat.

Sights:
Phang Nga Bay
My family took a half day trip to Phang Nga Bay, and it was a memorable experience that still resonates in my mind to this day. The mystical grottos, the limestone cliffs that cascaded out into the clear blue sea and the stunning alcoves were amazing sights to witness.

Fantasea Show
Fantasea is a cultural theme park that is comprised of three sections- entertainment in the Palace of the Elephants, dining in the Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant and shopping in the Festival village. It's a great place to experience and immerse yourself into Thai culture. One part that I remember clearly is getting to try on the traditional Thai costume, as well as staring in awe at the elephants clad in glitzy costumes.

Jungceylon Shopping Mall
My family and I always took a day trip to the Jungceylon Shopping Mall, where we would try out different restaurants, go shopping and watch a movie at the cinema. Granted, this is not the BEST place to experience Thai culture, but I really did enjoy looking at the local stores and restaurants that were housed in this mall.

Culture:
From my many visits to Phuket, I have learned a lot about the unique culture of Thailand. Thailand has, for thousands of years, been ruled by monarchs. Respect for the king and the royal family is key. I distinctly remember having to stand up in the movie theatre while an official announcement of the royal family played. Looking around me, I saw that all Thai locals put their hands across their hearts while staring at the screen. The admiration and respect that they had for the royal family was truly amazing to witness.

Thailand is known as the "land of smiles"- a very fitting name, considering how friendly and welcoming all of the locals are. Out of all the places I've visited, I find the locals around the Phuket to be the kindest, most genuine people. In this day and age where people seem to be too caught up in hectic daily life, it's great to take a break from that and interact with people you normally wouldn't interact with.

"Sabai sabai" is a phrase that a lot of Thais say. After a few times of hearing this phrase, I asked one of the waitresses at a restaurant what it meant. She said that it means "take it easy". The relaxed way of life in Thailand really makes for a great vacation spot, and I found that after just a week of being there, I felt more rejuvenated and calm.

The Songkran festival is celebrated every year from April 13th to 15th. Since this was usually when my school's easter break took place, I got to experience Songkran a couple of times. Songkran marks the Thai New Year, and is characterized by a lot of water throwing. I've always wondered- why water? It turns out, water symbolizes cleansing and purification, and represents a clean new start. I remember riding a tuktuk and being splashed with water. Although I was quite surprised at first, seeing a whole street full of kids, teenagers and adults joyfully splashing water at each other is a really unique sight that I looked forward to seeing every year.

Language:
Hello: sa wat dee
Excuse me: kor toht
Good morning: Sa wat dee ka
Goodbye: laa gon na
Thank you: kop kun

Jeju Island

Dubbed the "Hawaii of Korea", Jeju Island is a volcanic island just an hour's plane ride away from the southern coast of Korea that boasts pristine waters, sandy beaches and lush greenery. The rich culture, cuisine and language is a testament to the years of preservation, with most defining aspects of Jeju Island being mainly untouched for years.

History:
Jeju Island's history dates back thousands of years, when the island was known as Tamna Island. Legend says that three demi-gods rose from the northern foot of Jeju Island's Mount Halla, and discovered a box on the beach. Upon opening it, they discovered a jade box that was shaped like a bird's egg with a lion watching over it. The jade box contained a calf, a foal, and some seeds. The lion said to the demi-gods: "I am the lion of Byeoknang in the East Sea. Our King has three daughters but he could not find husbands for them, even though they are of marriageable age. When he saw you three legendary founders, he commanded me to bring his daughters to you." Afterwards, the three demi-gods prepared themselves for marriage by performing a celebratory ritual in Heaven: they showered in the Honinji pond and then married the princesses. Eventually, by farming the five grains in the jade box and by raising the cattle and foal, these demi-gods were able to found the Tamna State.

Places to Visit:
Cheonjiyeon Pokpo:

The magnificent 22-m high waterfall is a hidden gem. It can be reached after a 10 minute walk through a verdant yet steep gorge. When I visited and first heard of the waterfall, my first impressions were not so good. After a day packed full of sightseeing, walking through a mosquito infested trail to see yet another waterfall did not sound so appealing. However, upon arriving at the waterfall, I was left speechless. The waterfall cascaded out of a beautifully chiseled rock face, and the loud sound of the water rushing down had a surprisingly calming effect. Due to safety reasons, I wasn't allowed to wade in the water, however it still was a sight worth seeing. If you go at night, the waterfall will be beautifully lit, thus creating a somewhat mystic, otherworldly aura.

Jeongbang Pokpo:

Yet another waterfall, the Jeongbang Pokpo differs from the Cheonjiyeon Pokpo in that it is the only waterfall in Asia that falls directly into the sea. This was undoubtedly one of my favorite places to visit in Jejudo, mainly because it was a great place for cool respite. Since it flows into the sea, you can wade around in the cool waters. Sitting on a rock while dunking my feet in, it truly was a relaxing, calming place to rest after a day full of walking.

Seongeup Folk Village:

The folk village itself was something extremely culturally packed, and it's a location that I think is definitely worth visiting. Traditional houses with thatched roofs and stone walls are scattered all around the place. There are even traditional games that you could try playing, such as "tu-ho", which is a game that requires you to throw sticks into an ornate canister. I spent almost an hour trying to beat my older sister, and finally, after much concentration and skill (or my sister let me win so we could get out or the scorching heat), I won. There are also traditional Korean swings in the folk village, and other interesting activities that will appeal to the masses. This folk village is packed full of interesting games and resembles a traditional neighborhood in Jeju island.

Hallasan:

Hallasan is the largest mountain in Korea, and is a UNESCO world heritage site. There's a hiking trail that you have to go up to, so I would advise wearing comfortable shoes and a jacket (it gets really windy). Although a hike may sound tiring, the view that you get is breathtaking and definitely worth the effort.

Trick art museum:

Although this isn't something that truly showcases the rich culture and history of Jeju island, the Trick Art Museum is a great stop to visit if you like a good laugh or if you're looking for a cool photo op. The different pieces of optical illusion art allow you to take hilarious pictures that can really surprise not only you but your friends as well. There are both 2D and 3D pieces of art that you can pose with.

Food:

Like with any other island, Jeju has an abundance of fresh seafood. The majority of specialty dishes in Jeju Island are seafood dishes, but they can be served in several different ways (grilled, raw, marinated, stewed). An interesting fact to note is that a lot of the seafood is caught by haenyeo (해녀). Haenyeo are women sea divers that populate the island, and dive up to 20 meters to harvest seaweed and shellfish. Clad in their black diving suits and diving goggles, they are nicknamed the "mermaids of Jeju island".

Here are a few of my personal favorite specialty dishes available on Jeju Island:

Godeunguh (Mackerel) 

This type of fish is my longtime favorite. Although mackerel can be found in most frozen food sections of supermarkets, the ones found in Jeju Island are mostly fresh off the boat. There's an unbelievable amount of flavor and texture, with an unforgettable aroma that permeates the whole restaurant. Most mackerel fish sold in Jeju Island are caught and served within 24 hours. This specific dish is one that I recommend you try at least once before leaving the island.

Galchi (Hairtail fish)

Hairtail fish is a major export of Jeju island, and with good reason. They can be found in most traditional restaurants around the island, and can be served grilled, raw, marinated in radishes or stewed.

Hwe Guksu

Hwe Guksu is a noodle dish accompanied by raw fish. It's great to eat in the sweltering summer months and provides a cool respite. It's slightly spicy, but definitely bearable.

Heuk dweji samgyeopsal
For those who are not fans of seafood, I would recommend going to one of the many restaurants in Jeju Island devoted to selling "samgyeopsal". Heuk dweji samgyeopsal is a black pig pork belly dish that is succulent and juicy, and a staple in Korean diets.

Hallabong

Jeju Island's famous tangerines are a must have. Although this succulent fruit is only available during the wintertime, they can still be found for sale during the summer months. They're sweet yet tangy at the same time, a juxtaposition which I'm sure no one disagrees with. There's a myriad of products available on the island made using Hallabong, like chocolate, ice cream and smoothies.

Dining customs:

-During the meal, never stick your utensil into the dish. As with other Asian traditions, doing so resembles incense sticks during ancestral memorial services. Instead, rest your utensil on top of the dish and lay the chopsticks or spoon on the table when you are done.

-The eldest at the table should eat first. Once the eldest person at the table starts eating, everyone else can begin to eat.
-Unlike Western dining, people typically eat while sitting on a mat. While they have their own bowls of rice, other dishes and side dishes are shared amongst the table.

Key phrases:

Although a majority of the Korean population can speak some basic English, I would advise learning a few key phrases to fully immerse yourself into the culture. Try these phrases out on the locals and you're bound to be showered with compliments.

Hello- 안녕하세요 annyeong hasaeyo

Thank you- 감사합니다 gamsa habnida

Bye- 안녕히가세요 annyeong hee gasaeyo

Sorry-죄송합니다 jue song hab ni da

Excuse me- 실례 합니다 shil leh hab ni da