21-26 August 2005

Maryknoll Mekong Missions

Charlie Dittmeier left Hua Hin on Wednesday, but the other Maryknollers carried on with another day of meetings the following day. Then some headed back to Bangkok right away while others stayed overnight to leave Friday morning. The Salesian Retreat House has a new woman manager, the first time the head of the house hasn't been a Salesian priest or brother, and she has made many changes and improvements to the facility. Some of the change is inside, with repainted rooms, tablecloths for some meals, etc., but other differences can be seen outside.

	Three or four little Thai-style wooden kiosks or pavilions have been added to the central courtyard between the two wings of the retreat house. They absorb the overflow of a large group like ours at social times and also serve as convenient meeting places.
	The little pavilions from ground level, under the covered walkway.
	Several traditional Thai-style old ox carts have been placed around the retreat center also. In Cambodia, this type of ox cart is still in daily use.
	The change that made the computer geeks most happy was the addition of a broadband Internet connection plus three extra network connections for access to the Net for those who bring their own laptops. Here Kim Ji Hoon checks his e-mail.
	For another large group, the new coffee machine in the dining room--here put to work by Jim McLaughlin--was the favorite improvement to the center.