Thursday

Yesterday morning we did yoga at the tables. The weather was such that you could see your breath. Bonny has been a very happy person. While it gets to 50 or so at night it is only in the mid 80's in the sun during the day. After yoga we walked up to a Wat that as built up in the mountains in a cave. Lots of steps.. maybe 500 or so, but the walk was so very beautiful with orchids on the right and left and birds chirping. The sky is pretty clear here vs Bk where it is dark at 4:30 from the smog. After I took my note that said (stupid am lost glasses) to all the beer shops in the villiage and bought a roasted banana, I made friends with some of the young mothers and took pictures of their homes. Empty rooms with a TV.. They make baskets in this village and the infants have very nice swinging baskets to sleep in. It is not easy for me to read the blog once it has been sent... so I am not remembering if I wrote that there is no birth control here... dog everywhere with swollen breast with pups some place, cats all over and babies. I have some terrific pics of four people on scooters. They can really pack it on the two wheels. Last night we had a fun dinner with lots of laughs at the Thai rest. at the nest. There are two places to eat.. one with liver pate and roast pork and one with rice and veggies. GREAT FOOD. I am also happy to say that my entire body has made the adjustment to the new food and schedule without missing a beat... (again happy bonny). I did not sleep well last night since I was going to try to wake folks up to help prepare the meal for the monks. As you know, the monks come down the hill once a day to get there food for the day. If you make an offering you should have a veggie, meal, dairy, fruit. We got up this am to stir fry the food and make a "meatball" of rice and pork with spices and egg. The food is bundled up into little plastic bags .. such as 3-4 meatballs in a bag. We all stood out at the road waiting.. waiting waiting for the monks. Some started a fire to keep warm.. it was a hurry up and wait experience. I walked a mile or so to scout out the monk and then ran back. everyone lined up.. one holding the plate.. and one taking the object (bag of meat, orange,etc) and carefully putting it into the bowl with out touching the bowl or the monk. You are not to look at or touch the monk.. One of the joksters said we should ruffle the shaved head and say "nice do". The group went back for some warm soup. I just have not gotten around the rice soup in the am... so I had an omlet with cheese, and a fresh baked roll with homemade jelly and curls of butter with a pot of coffee... really roughing it. After breakfast we went to town.. some of us did .. and I got my great wok, pair of pants (just what I needed) and had an espresso at the Cafe/Cafe. The special of the day was pizza with mushroom and tomato. Some of the folks got some gold jewelry. I should say that ChiangDao is very simple and very Thai.. in spite of the Cafe. I stopped at a computer store.. Pentium 4.. wide screen etc. 21,000 (bt is 35.66 today). It will be hard to leave this piece of heaven. I could rent a house for 100 bt a month... you could live here for very little. It is expensive to eat where we are .. but it is very great for a vacation. Tomorrow I go to the cave. Since I have been eating so well.... if you don't hear from me for a few days it is because I am in the cave waiting to reduce to a size I can squeeze out with.. My fear says don't go.. but my other self says.. you will not be happy if you give into fear. Again, I can not say enough about most of the folks on the trip.. with maybe one or two exceptions.. we are a bonded team that would walk a mile for another. I will try to write after the cave. then it will be easier in the big city. love to all.. b.