This month, we opened our Sticky Rice staff group article up to the masses (aka our fellow 133 and 134 volunteers)! We asked what everyone’s favorite “guilty” (or not so guilty!) pleasures at site are, from kanoms (treats) to self-care rituals and everything in between.
Cloé Fortier-King, 134 YinD
Are they really guilty pleasures if you don’t feel guilty about them? I think I’ll call these my guiltless pleasures:
Sweet treats! From site and beyond.
Travel! Exploring the dramatic and varied beauty of Thailand’s scenery, people, food, culture, and more.
Distractions in class! My kiddos teach me the silliest Thai words, show me their favorite games, braid my hair, and beg to see pictures from my camera roll.
Kayla Kawalec, 134 YinD
Truthfully, I’m a bit of a grandma; or rather, on the cusp of just 30 – my heart at least is. Not only are my days of staying out until last call (mostly) behind me, but I don’t get too many opportunities in my rural community (with only two true restaurants to speak of) to “hit the town” either.
But, whenever I happen to be in a bigger city – alone – I tend to indulge in my favorite “guilty” past-time: walking the long way home at dark. (Don’t worry, Mom!) I always tell someone where I am and where I’m going and am never without my common sense. It makes me feel like myself, though – even just for a second, back in my favorite city.
From top left: Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Chiang Rai, and (still the greatest city in the world) New York City
Bradford Reszel, 134 TESS
Having a Café Amazon, the Thai coffee chain, at site is certainly a source of guilty pleasure and not just for the chaa yen (Thai iced tea). For a while, we would go on the weekends and get the chocolate banana frappé that was more milkshake than anything else. But the real pleasure part was/is spending the time in the air conditioning. Lesson planning, reading, or just taking a minute to relax in the climate-controlled space has become a near ritual, while always remaining appreciative knowing that not every Volunteer has the same access.
Teresa Derr, 134 YinD
A chicken cheese kebab from the dtalaat (market) in the city about 30 minutes away. It has cheese. I get one every time we go, and am delighted every time.
Jon Williamson, 134 TESS
My guilty pleasure is biking in the countryside every Sunday to visit wats (temples). I have visited 409 wats thus far, which is ~1% of all wats in Thailand. It is therapeutic to have the exercise combined with the excitement of discovery.
But it is a guilty pleasure because I am not using the free time to study Thai or prepare lesson plans, for example – both areas that I should improve. However, I do make a point to talk in Thai with as many people I meet on these weekly journeys. I introduce myself and explain about the Peace Corps.
Annalise Woods, 133 TESS
One serious: treating myself to the family-run Thai/Swiss-German restaurant in my community. Expensive but worth it for an occasional treat.
One silly: using ants to clean up spills in my fridge that I can’t get to. The compartments don’t come off.
Kyra O’Connell, 134 TESS
Pleasure is drinking Thai tea. Guilty comes from how much of this stuff I drink in a week and how my intestines are probably dyed orange at this point.
Sticky Rice 
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