shopping

I could not make a living shopping for others. I went to international mail today and spent 60 a piece to get the spirt houses home and I have no idea if they will get there. The price of the house is less than my room for three nights in BKK...oh well only live once. I took a TukTuk out to an area near the airport and looked for a silver person... Again. I need to go back since I have more requests. I had two that were mine and the rest the thai folks.. had to give a good down payment.. so i am out $66... until I can connect and collect. It is raining here.. not hard, but I am wet and I have a very bad cold.. so I will and take my shaking snifling body off to bed and watch the TV. Have to be up and get packed in the am... The woman next to me is beating the keys.. my ears are tired... I am tired.. bye

Thursday morning 31st

Let me give you the plan... but you know it might or might not go in this way. We will pack up tonight and put things in Beth's room.. and then take the backpack to the hills. At this point we will get there about 12ish and then have bbq at night .. elephants sat. and then back Sunday. I probably will not fight to blog there since you all know how easy that is todo.. I will be anxious to get a cool nights sleep without a fan.. my ears and head are very tired from the tennitus .. wirl.. I am also anxous to have the temph eggplant.. mmm I did have morning glory in oyster sauce last night.. delish... and after dinner, my buddies help me carry my three spirt houses home. After the blogging, I will go to the night market area and negotiate shipping. I am going to send Sheila my tracking numbers and hope that they arrive in one good piece. I think you will like them. I am going to wait until next week to see mr angel re the elephants...so far I am buying 4 more in addition to the four I have. I don't have any spectactual pictures to send along.. but I will tell you that after my tuktuk ride after yesterday blog.. I met up with a group of massage folks and we ate next to Beth's antique friend. We ordered something they did not have and they went off on cycle to get it. very fresh and good... with 4 beers.. and dinner for 6.. it was about $9... and wonderful... Then like little lemmies.. we walked the three houses to the hotel.. I was in bed early.. great hot shower.. learned how to get it going in the morning... ;). The only problem I have had is that it takes no time to go to the luve.. but lots of time to wait for a clean bowl.. if you get my drift.. read.. flush.. read... flush.. all is well in that area. I will not confess, I have a cold.. honk honk.. sniffle .but I feel pretty good. There is a wonderful Indian silk person in the market.. my friend Misty got some terrific things ...and is buying a bedspread.. very beautiful... I will go look..but I don't think tucker needs a new one to roll up in a ball... all is well here. Again to the market..saw more monks. I can not answer in rochester.rr.... big pain in the butt.. so use bonnywithy@live.com if you want to get to me and have me answer. I have my Gazette.. ready to go on the Mykong. bye for now.

Wed evening 30th

I am going to come home with new skin. If there is a place to massage or rub etc. I am having someone do something to it. I was even thinking of having my hair washed on the way home from the blog event. By the way, I am blogging very close to the weekend market.. which is pretty close to Angel's jewelry shop.. in other words.. I am walking a mile or two or three so that I can get text and pics together.. (I don't want complainers). I got up at 5:45 and took my roommate Anne and Misty from Colorado out to see the monks. They are walking up and down the street.. but we were not in a place to get a blessing. Maybe Sheila could tell me where she went with Janet. It was rather funny to see motorcycles stop and the drive get off, rummage through things and then go to the knees and offer food. A pick up truck like Marti's stopped and jumped out with a pail of stuff and ended up pouring water in a sauce pan.. If I was the monk that had to tote all of that.. I would have wished I had walked faster. It is dark when you go out and the dawn comes up just as we get to the market and my donut man. He took a shine to Misty ( a tall soft woman) and made us a dinosaur.. and then insisted we have sweet soy milk and sweet donuts and regular donuts....all for about 60 baht. If you are careful.. you can do very well here and can live on the street cheaply. If you want a nicer looking joint.. it costs. I think the worst example was the hotel next to the phallic park.. 300+ for a beer. We went back to the all night dim som place we ate the day before.. and I went out an got 10 cans of Chung from some gas station in an alley for 230 baht.. less than the price of the one. same same.. but different.

This is our donut man

I did shop last night and got a few things for a few of you... hehe.. I am so glad the posse was not there.. it was a fine jewelry store and many items were on sale... I got a ring for my little finger..that was 195.. Beth bought a very nice and large ring... to replace one she has worn for about 10 years but is no longer wearing. Everyone came out with bags.. and they took plastic.. so. it was fun. You know me.. about 10 min of that and I was in the coffee store... and then they went on to the next and then back to the first...Liz you would have really enjoyed it. Anyway.. I went out to get the beer and had asked that someone order muched rice and veggies.. and a plate of fried rice and veggies.. and returned to a little bowl of rice in soup with a few greens.. I think they may be remaking the river kwai .. and I am in the camp. It was fine.. and we all did well and got home early and I went to bed at 10. Since I am doing these morning walks to the market.. it is a good thing I am going to bed a little earlier.

The woman on the left is the JW from Amarillo who owns several business and the other is Anne my roommate from Utica.


(am in the 20 min wait for the pics....soon ...) So after the donut walk I had a coffee at the Galare and then the Thai folks all left and Beth buzzed off to make jewelry and Jean the other person not doing either yoga or Thai... and I decided to do a boat trip.. I hate these organized deals.. but she wanted to do it.. and I don't think she does as well alone. so these are pictures of the Galare from the water and a man doing something in the river. This is actually the same water as BKK so you know the quality. It is not the same as Cambodia...but I would not want to drink it or swim in it. After the rive deal I went to nice upscale Indian/Thai place and had som tom and samosa.. nice combo.. both were veggie and good. I must have really looked great in my Michigan shirt and funny hemp hat.. they asked me to pay before they served me... oh well. I then had a mediocre facial and foot massage.. so I am head to toe rubbed. I bought Linda's shirt today...I got yellow.. if you would rather red.. let me know.. Same same is on the front.. but different on the back. Well... time to get moving.. no one knows were I am.. it is 6:45 and I am going to find a beer and walk home... bye for now.

Tuesday... I think

This is a picture of the elephant with the silver clasped necklace. It is a thick piece and I am sorry it is not better, but I think you get the drift

While I wait for the upload of pictures, I will tell you a few things about the trip and my night and day. After I blogged and wrote to a few of you yesterday, I walked back to the Galore. On the way I hooked up with a man who was looking for some action and a happy hour.. and wondered what there was to do. I took him to a Wat.. a very beautiful one.. and she again asked about the happy hour. He was from Wisconsin.. oh well.. but what I did find out from him was that the baht is good in Laos.. I had told Wendy that I would try to exchange some 20's for 1&5.. but she went out yesterday and said all you can do it give them Baht to exchange for the us$ .. and then pay for the exchange in and out .. oh well.. I will try and maybe I will be more charming. I have about 35 in small bills from my NYC time. Nothing is super easy but once you get into the swing of it.. and don't expect that while it says MacDonald's that it is the same.. again..and yet again.. same same but different. Anyway, after the mandatory beer and cashews at Galore.. Let me take a minute to talk on that. You order a beer.. and you think you pay for it.. and then there is another.. and when it was all done, Jean was given a bill for 1000 baht.. I paid for two.. so I stayed out of it. Even drinking beer is not easy sometimes. Beth organized.. well lets be more honest..I am going and if you want to come... (and if you were there when she said it and left....or someone kept a spot for you.. etc.)... anyway, we went over to the morning... day market and crawled around until we found an alley light by candles in tin cans. Only Thai's eat here and it is not a good place if you have to see your food. I was told it was noodles and chicken... In front of us was a series of trays with sprouts, beans, and other things and a side try of spices. You were served a bowl of the broth with noodles/chicken and a tasting spoon... you then put the veggies in and added the spices. It was good.. they poured water in a tin cup.. while I thought the two large Chung would fix me up.. I did not drink the water. Beth's treat.. I think it was 20 or 40 baht each. Just as we were getting organized to leave.. someone thought she dropped her contact. oh boy... well ... I just took pictures and used the flash to light up the very dirty ground and her shirt etc.. and she did find it. I had a very interesting series of pics of heads under the table etc.

This is Betsy from Colorado who lost the contact. When she is not doing this, she waits table at a country club and does massage at a store. She taught gymnastics for 22 yrs to high school girls..

We left there and went back to the market to her friends place and others bought amulets. I now have a collection that folks want to have wrapped. It think it will be about 400 baht for the wrap...of course they will not take credit card. When I left the market I did get on for a few moments and e-mailed and then stopped at massage place and had my shoulders and neck worked on for several hours.

This is a picture of Molly.. she is a very sweet woman and I am glad I did not kill her at the airport.

Since I will not be going to CD for a long stay, I took pics at the Wat.. I love the flowers.. this is not my best, but what I could download.

I had another pic,,but I always trash one.. yesterday it was Molly. I enjoy hearing from you .. let me know if you want an elephant.. so far, beside the posse.. Monika, Sue and Cheryl are on my list. I will rob a bank tomorrow.. they don't take credit cards... and what's in your wallet... b.

second monday note.

The woman in the for front is Tina.. she is an IT at strong.. we shared not getting much sleep when we are on projects. Next to her is John (or Johnny as Carrie would say) and Carrie.. they are a cute couple .. Carrie teaches yoga in Pittsford and John is in Insurance.. he notices the OSHA issues. they are lots of fun. and Carrie and Beth look like high energy bookends.

This is our fearless leader in his leading mode before songtaw loading to go the hill.... they leave at 10:30 tomorrow and I will be at Dan's and my doc at 10



It is raining.. and I found some money.. so I will wait for the pics to arrive and tell you something about the massage process. Last night, this young woman went from a neck and back massage to my feet. She worked and worked.. and then did my legs. This cost 120... and I gave her a 40 baht tip... the baht is 33.2.. so about $4. I am not sure what she got but it is small pay. I will have another tonight.. or maybe a full body.. for 350... or $10. It is great and feels wonderful to take care of myself.
I am taking many pics of the flowers.. I thought they were wonderful.. even got out the close up lens.





Changing money is another thing. You can change into baht but I need to change some 20 in 5&1 American.. that will be hard. I never thought about needing small bills in Laos... this could be tricky. Marge and Wendy will also need money. We will be in the same area for a night. I am staying in a riverside hotel as are they.. except I think their hotel has a chandelier. I was planning on going to the Red Cross for a massage and I think the get one in the room....same same. Marge did get out to the morning market.. but said she thought of being a vegetarian after seeing the food handling of the chicken. Well.. at 6am it is a little hard to see hundreds of chicken legs laying open on tables being processed. There were intestines and stomachs etc.. I thought of my chat with Monika re China.. sometime you don't want to go through the kitchen. There are hundreds of monks on parade in the morning and I have two stings around my wrist as we talk.


The place I am in is operated by an Indian.. very spacious and they have coffee.. I am sipping a hazelnut latte for 45.. while I use the computer for 60 for two hours..

Here is a pic of Marge.. many met at my party.. she is an old ski instructor.. and feeling better..

bye again....

Monday

I went to the market yesterday morning and met with many vendors... it is terrific to see the fresh fruit and know how very sweet it is and how recently they were picked. I am sorry I don't have a scale for the fruit but the oranges are about 50cents round. I think it takes about 5-6 to make the juice.. which they sell... 10 baht for small 20 for large.




In case you forgot how goofee I look in the hat.. here I am at the galare house. I put the camera on the refrig and auto shuttered. Actually I put it on some fruit which was on the refrig. I must also admit.. I am making a goofy face.

The weekend market is not the same as last year. There were not as many original pieces of work nor poor workers looking to make Bonny jackets. I walked about for a long time and then remembered how very tired my feet are from standing all day. I actually bought nothing. But let us start the day. We went off to the same cooking school. Gosh that was fun and I must say, everyone got into it.. and as you may remember, it was the best food I have had. We made the same things and ended with sticky rice and mango. Meow did the class and told me that our teacher from last year gave birth to a half Thai and half Canadian boy in Dec. It is Meow's boy friend that owns the school. It was great and everyone was a good sport and got into it. Of course by the time you eat the pad thai, chicken and noodles, soup, etc. you are full. In case you forgot what it looked like to be flaring up the chicken... here is bonny

We returned to Galare and then got a songtaw to the market. If possible it was more crowded. I did not go into the building where Marti bought her next thing.. so I don't know if she was there. After about 2-3 hrs.. and having stood all day.. I met up with a woman from Colorado.. Thai student and I say and had a foot massage. It was very good. I think whatever has been blocking my leg is un blocked. And I must have been tired since I slept soundly for 1.5 hr. We walked up and down the streets and I found that upscale place that has the net for 30 baht and hour. My pics are downloading.. so hopefully they come in that time. I the wandering about last night, Beth stumbled into a shop and can you believe it.. it was Angels shop. She took the card and today I went and introduced myself and told him the story of us going over the bridge and wanting to come but the flower show was on.. etc.. and yes.. he is the one that made Michele's elephant. I was able to get four and he said he would make more... so oh yoga friends.. it is 1080 baht.. about $33 for the Elephant and a neck piece. Let me know and I will call him for you and bring it home. the picture of the man and woman is Angel and his wife.. the silver smith.


Today we crawled up the hill to the monastery. It was much different. Although it was not as nice a day and much less hot, there were also hardly any people. I checked about meditation classes and bought some very good bells. It was raining.. hard to believe. On our way back we stopped at a DimSum and had dinner. The place we are is close to my hotel when I come back.

I am very convinced I made the good decision. Same same but different. There is a young woman (actually very nice) that ended up in the Yoga teachers room the other night. There are a very serious group. I am giving my sticky mat and belt to Rich (the one with one leg). They are not going to the school but to the teak house. I would not be happy.

What I am thinking of doing checking out the hot springs.. in talking to some they say you can rent a house and live OK on 7000 baht.. that is about 700... I think I could do home and here for two months.. sweet. but of course I would miss you all.

Tomorrow I got an apt a the acupuncture person.. .. so my address will stay Galore.. and that is a good jump place... b

The morning after

Well...not way am I getting pictures on here. I already got a shock and had to turn the puter off twice. Put enough of that. First I should have just said.. I went out with Beth.. and I am going to bed. It was 1-2 this am when I found the PC and tried to make sense to all of you. I am not going to take it off...but I was the best of the bunch at that time and still standing. Let me backtrack a bite. There was a group of eight that got up and went off to the market. We took the water taxi and sky way.. I am getting to be a native when it comes to that system. zip zip. The group was very good and hurried and then went off to their thing.. and then met when they agreed to meet a the clock. We reversed the trip.. got to the hotel at 1 for a 1:30 ride to the airport. All was well until I went to the room. I am not sure why, but my bags were moved and tossed about both days. The best that I see is missing.. my lock. But I haven't looked up everything. When I got to the room, my roommates clothes were still there... and we were leaving in a few minutes. Beth said that she had gone out to the market an was stuck on the subway..oh boy and we were leaving her. I had not eaten.. but I gave up the food to jump into the shower and down stairs in 10 min. We were out the door quickly jumping into three vans..then it was sit and wait and inch forward and wait. When we got to the airport.. the usual confusion was there. should we try for expresses check in... etc. the plane left at 4 something but time was running out. When I hauled my case up there.. 24 bahts and the only allow 12... so 685 bahts... whatever.. To help Beth out, Rick took some of her stuff and then has his stuff looked at.. he a pen knife.. 32 yrs he carried the knife.... boom in the trash. Well Marge and Wendy got tot her gate.... they had $$$$$ makeup etc. and no way. They had to go outside the airport... and start over. The plane readied to leave...and would they make it or not... suspense music. after about 15 min.... we all cheered as they walked on.. Wendy would have left her stuff but note Marge. In the meantime.. all I had in my tummy was an early breakfast and 2 friend banana\'s.... so.. what do we do when we get here.... get a beer... go to the night market.. get a beer... have some Thai food... get a beer...have some Thai soup... get a beer.. go see Beth's friend the Burma antique dealer.. and get a beer... see the hillbe folk.. and get a beer. You are getting the drift. We found three spirit houses that looked good.. so Sue and Kim... you are in luck. I will work the streets and pay for them.. I got a couple of amulets.... and I went to be around 1am A few were MIA from cooking class...but I was up at 5 and off to see the monks and market. We are going to the sunday market soon....so need to go.. but the teacher last year must have been sexy lady.. since she now had child.... At this point I will talk to Beth more.. but I am planning on staying here and not do yoga with Rick...need to think on it... I am fine.. too hot in here.. must go

out of BKk

ok.. well today was spent getting up and getting out to Chiang Mai. There was a good group off to the market.. we spent about 2 hrs at the market and I think folks had a good time. I got my blue and pink pashmena for my breakfast group. We got back t 1 and had to rush to the airport.. then rush to security .. then my bags were heavy.. then then then.. at the end of it as I sat there.. I decided that was was not bonding with the yoga group and it was going to be a big let down to go off to CD. While I love the food and the life.. i think those folks are very advanced and I just did not feel that there was a connection.. so.. I am staying in Cm and not go on to Chiang Dao. I will not take more time tonight.. but that is the news. So .. I have the shawls, the amulets... three spirit houses and my hat. Tomorrow will bring more information.

Sorry no pics.. Sat 26th

The Internet is at best a challenge.. so today the script is in Japanese and the keyboard is not functioning at full steam...When I put my hub in the first time it asked what I wanted but then that went away and I got a folder with nothing in it. Could you all hear my heart pounding 1700 miles away. Well I got the disc back in the camera .. and was every so delighted to see the monk waking down the street at 6am. So I will try pictures when I have more time. Again this am I am a tour guide and taking mucho folks to the market.. to be back here in one piece at 1. We are leaving at 8 but getting folks on and off the boat and making sure the three that get boat sick don't.. stressful. If we could get to and fro Chinatown after the longest Wat tour in history.. Also, some folks are doing well on the food or water. I felt I needed to take care of me last night, so I ate the pasta. Of course it is one of the those times when you don't want to be seen.. and along comes Rick... oh.. eating pasta... I wish I had my friend Liz's attitude and a f..y.. back. My stomach said.. show me something that is recognizable. I have been fine with the food.. and my body clock is back to my regular routine ...very good for the toilet needs. Marge had food poisoning.. Becky left the Wat doubled over.. Beth thought she was about to give birth as she waited for the luve... my good friend .. little lost Molly.. (she really is sweet and rather a dear in the headlights).. was ill after lunch.. and she can eat. So the Bonz only gets tired at 10 after getting up at 5.. sounds like not a bad deal. From what I see the Yoga group are two women from the Uof R that know my neighbor Dan.. one in billing and one IT. They do the Sat am class and know Liz who comes to the later class. Then the boys.. Joe and Rich who do a couple of classes and know Sue.. an older woman from Buffalo who has some connection to my college, Marge whom many met at my birthday party and Wendy and a couple.. one teaches Yoga and John whom looks familiar and I think came to a few classes when GP and I went on Monday. Those two did 1.5 hrs of yoga yesterday morning.. she is one of those cute as button types. they ended up with a snake wrapped around them at the Palace yesterday. I really am impressed with my body.. other than tired and reasonably, I am pretty flexible after to hop in and out of tuk etc. I am stretching in the am. I hate to write late at night.. I am beyond tired, but I want you all to know that I am alive and well. The other thing about the Internet. the keyboard is between elbow and shoulder height for me.. this is not a comfortable pose. I am not sure what I will do with the last few days in Thailand. I planned to take the train and then spend a day here.. but a week in BKK is a bit much. I need to get my t-shirts.. so I will look at the market this morning and if I can find them there.. might take an extra day in ChMai. I real like the Thai group.. I will miss them... they are my travelers.. ready to go.. when and where... not whiners either.
I am not impressed that so many have received very bad bruising from massage. Beth had some bad bruises.. but then she asked for deep. I think regular is almost torture ..so I would think deep would be close to the 'rack'. I went back to the Chinatown temple yesterday and bought a second amulet.. it has soft gold around it.. but the monks are so cute and I like the design.. so Cheryl.. give up your lunch.. it was 300 baht.. $8 give or take.
I so enjoy your mail and feedback.. I smile often thinking of what you would say seeing some of the sights.. It is hard to talk about much of it.. it is just a flash as you are walking by. I am still impressed with the workers up on a 5 story building walking on the scuffle that is made of lashed bamboo.. this is when you want a moving.. they leap about like geckos.. And on my morning walk to the Internet.. the rooster.. it is almost as good a rooster as Marti.. fun stuff. I am doing everything except the nightclub stuff.. it will be good to have a room that we are not going to move from in a day.. the gypsy stuff is tiring. My roommate ... from Utica.. is a very nice and thoughtful mom of 2.. my smiles.. and lots of serious healing folk.. there are a few..but that would be too strange if everyone was the way I would like them to be. Need to run.. market.. plane,.. dinner.. market with Beth to look for the houses.. and then hope to find a net.. be well.. bye for now..

L O N G D A Y

Last year when we went to the Wat Po, Palace, and Gem store.. we were home at 3. Well.. this year, we were not leaving for Chinatown until nearly 4. I was whipped. and the shops were hardly open. Taking 12 people, including 3 that get boat sick deserves hazard pay. I think folks had a good time.. but I am nearly beside myself with exhaustion. The massage was good, but my right bunion.. is singing a different tune. Marge has a very bad bruise on her leg and not appears to have food poisoning. I will finish this because I said I would.. but if I am to get up in the am for a market trip at 8... not going to make it. I have met all the yoga folk.. very nice. I think it will be good... but I will be the low end of the yoga curve. We fly to Chiang Mai tomorrow around 4 and stay there until Tues.. so you will get some more text at least.. off to zzz...

Friday Morning

I am uploading some pics and then must rush off to get some grub and start the tour.. on time at 8:30. I also said I would be the hotel alarm clock for a 7:30 call... so this will be a beat the clock on the pictures and I will probably have to come back and put them into some order. I finally got the tuk tuk for Scott going the right direction.. so that is what I talked of a few days ago. I am sending along a pic of the orchid that was in Jim Thompson garden. I did not have my close up lens but this is to remind all that this is a land of many colors and shapes. (the pictures came faster than fast.
and ooops.. I just lost two.. sorry.. I will blog more later.. my phone responsibility calls

wow

This is a pic of our group.. the one on the right.. is a particiapant... not thai or yoga.. the rest are yoga.. from texas, utica, colorado , and down below.. florida.. very nice folks

Today was an adventure. the group that went with me were really forgiving that I did not know where I was going. We found the phalic park and if I was successful at the download.. you should get some x rated subjects. We took a river ferry, a skyway, walked through the Siam plaza, walked through downtown BKK.. saw the peni.. drank an expensive 325 for Chung beer.. took the water taxi.. then a tuktuk... ate street food and now off to get a thai massage.. mmmm nice stuff. This group is very nice. I will leave them in a few days, but much different than last year. I was glad my K list person did not want to come.. think she is more a walk around Khaosan.. and be silly type person. Anyway I have had thoughts of killing her.. and worrying about her as a child... oh well.. if she is old enough to be married.. old enough to take care of herself. I don't think there is more to say about these pictures.. Monika, Joe and Georgette can give me photo hints...

note that this picture has pit legs.. gives new meaning.. to you are a pig

this is a dark picture of the canal ride which was great fun...

more tomorrow...

The rest of the story

Molly was found last night at the airport.. 24 later...she got the wrong date... oh well.... I think I am making merit.....and she is still alive and oblivious. For those from last year... she is on my K list.. if you get my drift. I got an anxious roommate last night.. her bag broke.. she didn't bring the right clothing.. she could not get her Internet to work.. lordy lordy.. Today I am off to the penis park... and I am taking some of these non adventurous.. but I want to go ..so I wll go with you people.. By the time they get back from my scheduled water taxi, sky way.. walk through Siam Plaza.. canal taxi and walk to park...then canal taxi all the way and tuktuk home... they will be ready to sleep. The one woman says she has early Alz. oh boy..... So I am going to take only a little time this am to tell you I had the best oil massage yesterday... ok I was laying an inch form some man.. and I was naked.. but last night in bed.. I realized.. this was the best. I am clean and showered.. and ready for my tour guide work... Breakfast is great at the hotel..and the coffee as good as Starbucks.. and free. Beth is starting to feel better. She is in a stay close to the luve mode... Also, dinner last night was excellent.. new favorite is banana flower salad.. right up there with morning glory. The other gent for Yoga has an artificial leg.. motorcycle accident in his teens. I will not complain about sore feet.
This reads rushed because I want to get back and use the know toilet before I take these folks out and about. Believe me they are not last years group. The Thai folks are older..chunkier and less cleavage. if you get my drift. I also have not heard anyone say they need a smoke. The only yoga so far are the two men and me. I think the rest come in today before our gathering and 7 o'clock street food.. and let the games begin.
I went to bed at about 10:30 last night and then up at 2 to let Anne in .. and then I stayed up with her until about 3 and then slept until 7... I am back on track and ready to go. So very sorry...(now you don't believe me do you) to hear that it is not 90 degrees and sunny back home... I could get use to this.. but if I were to come for a month.. it would not be BKK... I am ready to go... and must get going soon.
I had fun with the pics yesterday and decided to do a series of sleeping people.. young old... etc.. I found folks sleeping on the motor cycle seat and under trees and on the job etc. great fun.
I walked 8 miles..my feet are happier in my Keans.. Well the bonny tour starts at 9:45... wish all of you could be here.. but if you ever come.. I will have my tour stuff down ... enjoy.. I am ....
PS. Thanks to Georgette and Kim for helping me enjoy my travels.. Lady will probably not want to go home from the tender care she gets at the farm with those skinny dogs .... love...b

Where is Elmo

the rest of the story. When I got back to the hotel last night, I felt very low thinking somehow I should have done something to find Molly the massage person. I got up, tried to call Beth's room, ate a great breakfast and started off for the Museum. As it turns out, the museum s one of those places that you can see but not get to easily. I ran across a road that would be like the can of worms at 5:30 and lived. Actually, I held my shutter open and a scampered so someone could identify the car that did the spat. By the time I got to the crow flies mile or so, I had run walked and begged for directions for the tune of about 3.5 miles. I was sopping wet when I arrived slightly late for the trur guide but I hooked on to the end of the group. It was a very instructional tour and I learned a bit about Thailand and Buddhist traditions. I walked about for quiet awhile and got a non expected nose bleed. When I arrive at my door, having passed the note in the elevator that the pool was closed.. I found a note from Beth... where are you and where is Molly....oh s......... I really did lose her. I checked my e-mail, Beth checked all of here and martin's mail.. nothing. So Beth is going back out tonight to meet another group and my roommate and hopefully find Molly... or contact the parents.. where is she. I really needed to get unstuck.. that is my excuse today.. so I had a body rub massage (naked with oils). Again I was on a large mat with a curtain.. except this time.. naked. At one point I moved my arm and touched the arm of the man in the next area..separated from me by just a curtain. lordy lorde..
Tonight we went to a traditional tea house for and squat dinner.. it was great. Just a quick note... I am going off to get a shower and into bed before Anne comes... bye .. b

The Morning After

I walked all over the place yesterday and decided to go to the far end of the area to the place with the golden Buddha. The Chinese folks brought a statue from the then under attack are of the old capital. To move it they covered it in cement and brought it to this Wat on the edge of Chinatown. For years they thought.. good statue and folks worshiped. They one day, someone was careless and took a chip out of the stature.... bingo.. the real statue was exposed.. this is solid gold.. 14 ton... someone should do that to our economy..maybe under all the bank issues, there is gold. I am not sure what the day was, but it was special and it is rare that the monks are in presence giving. With the monk is a young couple asking for a blessing for their live together. This was just after I got my first string. He had to tell me to take my hat off.. bad bonz.


I am sorry about he sideways shot.. but this is a vase of quail nests... they were not happy about my picture taking and I now realize that even thought I adjust the pic in my folder, it gets copied the way it was taken...learning curve. but you can get the idea of the size via the orchid. These are not as expensive as some.. a box of the most expensive ones are about $1000. Wish someone would give me that for my home....

again.. sorry... but you can see what you can do with your old tires.. wonder if the preservation district would approve of the lawn furniture. This was sitting out side an auto repair place and the workers had just finished lunch. There are so many interesting things to see. In the pictures, you will not get the sense of close hot steamy quarters. The little streets... about two and half people wide, has scooters, delivery wagons and people all trying to go in two directions. It is not for the faint hearted or anyone with close quarters issues. This will be my last sideways pic.. but as you can see how hard it is to down load.. better than nothing.

I thought of Sheila when I saw this stall. These are in the button area.. row after row of buttons. Then a shop with weaving stuff.. then a shop or two of thread.. etc.. Speaking of thread, I again watched the women plucking the face hair with string. I did not want to be too rude, but they appear to keep one end of the string in their mouth and the then use both hands to move the twisted thread around a single hair.. and then pull the ends.. catching the hair.. and pop. You have to see this to believe it... a Joe note. when I take a continuous shot.. you can almost see a movie of the process.. neat stuff. I am now taking a look via auto to get a read.. and then going to the amp setting for my shot choice.. distance, close etc. thank to Monika and Georgette and Joe.. the camera is getting much use.

this is where I started the blog.. and when the pics came.. I just went up to put the text in.. I lost a pic trying to move them.. well.. I will get this..

It is the morning after and did I have fun.... But a wait on that (teaser for my yesterday dull blog). I know it is very cold. In talking with Beth last night, she froze her hands while getting gas for the van that finally gave up the ghost. And I know that you don't want to hear that I thought I was getting over heated yesterday. Which leads to the reaffirmation.. middle way is the best way. When I try to be coherent in the after noon so you get a block in the morning, it is just not working. My brain felt fried and it was a more than struggle to even think of what I was doing rather than what I did. Add to it the keyboard not working on all keys and you get some wired stuff. So while I might add a quick note in the afternoon, I think I will try to do more of the story in the morning. I am at my usual spot, the pics have been in download for 15 min. Since I think it takes about the same for one as several... we shall see.


I am not sure what the temp was yesterday but the humidity was 200%. In the ultimate diet you are to try to sauna for 30... try 6 hrs and 8.5 miles of walking. I think this might be a way to lose wt, except you have to drink to stay hydrated.. and the Chung is easier than the bottled water. I find Chinatown very interesting. I have the same feeling as the shoe stores at Market

place.. I buy 1 pair of sneakers on line a year.. who buys all the shoes that are sold at the many shoe stores. HIP HIP I see pictures... and only 20 later.

Post picture text

I must say a little about the evening. I went to street food with Beth and a yoga guy.. Joseph. I can tell you don't call him Joe. but anyway. After Beth and I had a beer.. another long story.. (I can hear Liz say.. so......) well that will wait. I had gone to the Hillel lodge and made arrangements to go to the airport via their bus. I went out to the airport at 10.. got there at 10:30.. got a coffee to keep awake. On the way to the bus, I remembered I did not have the santa hat that she would be looking for.... well how many old white women would be standing in the line waiting.... zip zip... nata..a. nil. I had her picture.. I made a sign that said Zen Thai.. ok it was only a 8x11...but if you were looking... I wore the shirt that I was wearing in my pic that I sent her. The plane is in early... great... I worked my way to the head of the line and end of the line.. the first one you would see when you came thought. I pretended I was a NYer.. and every young looking lost blond that came thought.. easy to see when everyone else has dark eyes, hair and slanting eyes.... every one that even remotely looked like it could be someone .. traveling alone younger than 80... I shouted.. MOLLY....... of course I did not write down her last name.. this would be a piece of cake... 11...11:30...12....12:30....1 I was now into molly... and I had to use the toilet... (coffee at 10:30). I had her paged...Molly of Zen Thai... I tried calling the a hotell..a.busy busy.... I am not ready for the travel business... at 1:30.... I crawled out of the airport.. sunk in the back of the cab.. with the driver... no luggage.. travel alone.. you running away... that was the best thought anyone had that evening.. but then.. if you run you only take you... there was a bad accident on the road... but when we got back to the hotel.. the street was quiet.. I slide into bed at 2:30am... and said..............................

you can finish that... I am now off to the museum .. there is an English tour at 9:30.... must run

Tues afternoon

I have to keep rechecking the day and where I should be etc. so it is now Tuesday. Last night I did have a facial at a new spot. I am sure I was pick at. The girl picked at my skin for a century. If I still believed in the stuff.. I have years off the time in hell. When i came out of the spot, I decided to drink my diner. there was young woman making smoothies. You could have it with ice etc. but I selected the four fruit. (passion, dragon, mango and pineapple. it was terrific and if I can find her again I will do so. I like having the big meal at noonish then something fairly light at night. Today I found an Indian restaurant in the middle of the Indian community and dinned with some Gr folks who had just got married and were infolved in theater. Life is interesting. I also am very glad I am only doing one beer..OK they are big but only one. After the facial and a beer I went to bed. While I was drink my brew there were a group of older men at the next table. I think it is a strange passage for older men who drink too much, they go through a hand shaking process and think they are so very funny. I can not imaging how they felt this am. not well I suspect but I also think this is a way of life.
I have picked four pics do down load.. that was 20 min. ago. Well I have about 12 min count.. so pics might wait until another day. I did Chinatown today and it was hot.. really really hot. I feel wet and sticky. Since I have to go to the airport at 11..think I might wait on the pictures and morning for a longer post. I walked and walked and ate.. and made friends with the 7/11 folks so I could use their luve...I think a quick shower and a snooze by the pool might revive me. More in the morning when it is less noisy and I can get the pics to work.. be well all.. I am. funny to hear you all are cold and I am dripping.. this is 2 shower a day weather..

Monday Afternoon

This was yesterdays meal... it was actually sticky rice and mangoes and a beer...but the rice and fruit vanished before I thought of the picture. I will get this more organized..but not bad for a first draft. I am trying to take pics of the meals

Hip hip - finally some pictures but where is Cheryl. Believe me the guy that drove this relic did not have a blue helmet. There are many more Penagio this year and I have see many blue ones. This is 150. I think someone at scooter club might have this. I am going to try to load more pics. I took this the other night. Still getting use to the camera but doing better and I have seen folks from Gr and Fr with the same camera. I will try to continue to type about the day while the photos decide where they are travelling to. After my morning post I went to the temple of the Dawn. Man it was very very hot. 93 at 9:30. As I started down these stairs which were nothing like Cambodia.. they actually had step all the way across and a rail... I thought of my little friend Blake and his struggle with the stairs at the museum.. As you can see, I was alone so I talked to him in my head. It was a good experience. I did not go to the top.. this was high enough in the heat. I think my legs are much better than last year. I feel stronger and not as winded.

I love taking the river taxi.. no matter how hot it is outside, there is always a little breeze. Today I drank a bottled water in about a second as we went through the city. I had to take a "taxi" across the river to the Wat and back. Travelling native is really fast and cheap. the taxi was 3.5 baht. I went to the Jim Thompson museum today. It was interesting and I had decided since I did not get my nice meal last night I would indulge and eat there. I looked like a native rolling the sticky rice and dipping it into the sauce. The pomelo salad was different.. with a shrimp on it.. which was good. I blessed my answer and said thank you. I stopped at the central city and had a coffee.. then back on the sky train and river and the Internet cafe. It is 5 and I will leave here for my facial. Think tonight will be just a snack and beer and more watching. Going to get the Same Same t-shirt. I downed a pic of the BMW Tuk but it came in sideways and I can't figure how to turn it around.

I met two nice retired women at the Jim Thompson. They were from Scotland.. of course they did not understand how I can feel so comfortable on my own, public transit and my lodging. ..I did not tell them I share the room. This is the last night at the Inn. I will check what time I can move over. Again, where is Sheila to help me truck my stuff. It is a pretty evening.. sun sun and more sun.. heard the CNN weather.. sounds cold... hehehe.... bye for now.

morning after - monday first week

Who was that fun loving person who wrote yesterday. Ordinarily I will not start the day with a note but I woke up several times during the night and thought.. they are going to think I am miserable. Not so... while I could do without Ricky and Roberta (and I might add friends and relations) this is a major metro city with a turn of the century sewer.. so .. anyway, who knows I might have been one of them in a former or future life. It give me a challenge re we are not separate but one. One of the major complaints I read about the hotel we are going to ..at $75 a night was the bugs... no big thing. The shower is hot.. really hot not warm.. and it is wonderful to get a hot shower and then step into the very comfortable room. I found that there are only three rooms that have no windows.. but they are upstairs and it is back power that would have gotten my mucho heavy to carry bag up the steps. The extremely attractive woman who speaks perfect English and works the front desk and then at 2 am gets a bus to travel the length of the city to her home. I am spending more time in allies and learning how very very hard these folks work. The "lunch room" in the alley next to my breakfast place starts very early preparing the fruit and lunch bags. Folks come by and pick up lunch on their way to work. They make the rice in a pot that is plugged next to my leg.. but they smile and are happy to give me a good cooking lesson. Now I would prefer to cook without the flies.. but they are very kind and sharing. Makes my breakfast even more special. The monks came by this am and the folks took there prepared food and shared. I watch school kids going off to school... happy...no winning etc. I see many children travelling. I am particularly interested in the hippy travellers with children. They know how to entertain themselves. They find contentment in the smallest things while parents talk and swap stories of their adventure. The drunken post college crew are too many and too boring. I see them when I go my sleep and I see them with slits for eyes when I come out for my omelet. ( ok.. I must admit and my fresh brewed Starbucks... ). I will tell you this, I will never leave home without my jet lag stuff. I was lazy the other night..I did not want to make another trip to Marketplace.. and I paid for it yesterday.. I was beyond tired and then went to bed about 9 and woke up at 11 - 1 - 3 - 5 and then out of bed at 6. I am good at going right back to sleep.. breath..say go to sleep or I will force you to read some sutras... zzzz. So this morning my body clock has reset. The woman next to me just asked the date.. it is NOW... Why I wanted to come was to help myself get centered on my next decade.
That brings me to the aura reading. He said he never saw someone with so much energy.. 72 meters...most are about 15 (I can hear Linda say...I could have told him that). He was right on about most things, but he said I would surely live until 60.. and then on to near 80, which I think he is a decade off.. so that is about right 98. I hope my energy doesn't slip on me.
I had my toes painted Sheila.. in our spot... I waited and waited.. and the put on my socks etc.. only to find hours later that my socks were stuck to my toes.. You can take me out but you can't dress me up.
I bought a purse yesterday.. my only purchase. It is like Sheila and Liz over the shoulder purse except my in blue/brown.. a me color. I looked at the shawls and got an idea but I will wait to be with Beth in Cmai to see if I can get the best quality. I will get the amulets there also..
Well enough of this dawdling...time to get hoping. My neighbor just shared that I must slip the picture onto the puter.. and then put it in the blog.. oh happy day.. no time on the machine now.. but I will work on this. A short note to Scott.. I saw the most beautiful tuktuk I have ever seen.. made by BMW.. I took a pick but it was a honey.. you would love it.
I am going to go to the temple of the dawn on my way to Jim Thompson house. This it is a morning thing to climb all those steps in the heat... love to all .. I am smiling much more than the blog appears. Taking lots of pics ... and enjoying my now.

First full day in BKK

I am going to master this. I have been on for 10 min trying to get a picture loaded. The fun thing is I don't know what picture it will be. Rather like an improve show, you get a word and then just run with it.. Well in my last message, I said I was going back and go to bed. Didn't happen. There is a Reggie disc attached to my Inn. It called to me to have a beer to go with my peanuts that I bought at the 7=11. I was a little worried that the noise from the disc o would be terrible, but when I got to my room.. it was great - dark and quiet. My chat with Ricky and Roberta Roach had an impact and they were not visible and I slept well.
This morning, I got up early and organized. One of the things about travelling for me is that you move the stuff around in your suitcase often.. constantly actually. I moved the cold weather stuff and the daily stuff and started a laundry bag. Then I reorganized it again. Very funny to do this since all of my stuff is in my duffel. oh well. How you do anything .. do everything.
Breakfast, which comes with the room was continental - fruit, toast, strawberry jelly and coffee. You always use that word loosely. What was fun about breakfast was the meal was served under a CNN TV talking about the caucuses and next to a open stall food provider. Three people pulled stuff from plastic bags and started chopping, cooking, sorting food. Folks strolled through the alley, leading to Khaosan and assembled and payed for their meal. It was like the working persons drive through. After I ate, I started the journey to the weekend market. It is the same.. not even same same but different. The smell and the crowd etc. was still there. About 11ish, I found an a/c tavern and had a chung and sticky rice and mango.. there were both so good, I almost forgot to take the meal picture. Most of all, they gave you a wet paper towel.. actually frozen.. ah... relief. I then spend time with a tarot card healer.. how spoke English. He read my aura and I will say for the most part was right on. I did a lot of market looking but little buying. I will be going back several times.. lord the very thought of that. The water taxi was fun until I went to get off and the boat jerked back about a foot.. I pretended I was super bonny and about flew across. I ate some pasta ( I know I am in Thailand) and had a large beer. It is hot, 92 and I am not use to that.. so this is a slow day. The AC in my Internet place is not cold. I am going to get my toes fixed tonight and then just chill.. I need to catch up on the sleep. Marti the rooster crowed at the Wat on Khosan.. not as good a crow as you ..but not bad. I am well.. hot and happy. bonny

Did I ever go home

I have now been up for 27 hrs and counting but all is well and Khaosan has not changed...well maybe a little. I was hoping to paste in a picture or two but the window is blocked and tonight I am too tired and struggling once again with a semi-English/Thai keyboard. The longest part of the trip was getting on the plane. I had the bulk head seat with a photo journalist going to Burma and a mom and daughter going to Nam to pick up a baby. They talked of not wanting to eat the street food and I sat thinking about weather to have a pineapple or banana pancake first. I ordered western veggie.. well it was still Thai but I did get cheese and butter. Think I slept a little on the plane. My new pillow was very comfortable. I had looked up the seat and read the note this is the smallest seat in the plane. I fit, but I should have gone on the ultimate diet long ago for there was only enough room for a thin letter on either side of my thighs. Add me, the water bottle, my fanny pack, the blanket and a pillow and I did not need a seat belt. We could have done wheelies in the air and I would still be securely in my seat. It was a four movie three meal trip. I sat and looked at the length of the plane and the phrase.. how can they get that much gas in the plane went over in my head. We made it. I walked through customs and bags without a hitch.
Just as I was packing Thursday, I found were my suitcase zipper had come undone.. so as long as I only zipped to the right and not left, it appeared to hold. When I stood watching all the bags come off the line.. but not mine, I was expecting an announcement - lots of corn hill t-shirts and vitamins are in lost luggage.. but that went ok. I was happy to see sun when I walked out.. last year it was so depressing with the bleak smog etc. The photo journalist does not like BKK.. it is the kind of city when you blow your nose and think.. lord I am breathing in all that stuff. I just will not blow my nose.. or blow it in the dark.
I had planned to take a cab in to the city so I only negotiated a little and the cab was more than my room. 800 baht.. which as of today was 33 to the $1. The hotel had sent instructions to be printed out for the cab... cheering smiling cab driver new but did not know where to go so wanted me to read the seven numbers starting at the end.. and he said it was 8. well 8 was the 6Th number. What looks simple.. just cut this out and give it to the driver turned into some very funny stuff. Finally there was a slight pause in the forward progress since he decided to actually stop at a light so he could read the note. He made a call and then we proceeded.
I picked this hotel because there did not appear to be any bars with boom boom BOOM music. The drive stopped on the main drag next to Khaoson and let me out. He said he had asked that they send someone but I could just walk down through the stalls and then turn left and I would find it. As I walked I thought.. fish.. noise .. fish ...noise. I found an "inn" which was actually in and out or (room by the day) but I was in the next one. It is quiet and no smell in my room. there is a window that looks out on to an alley but it is very very quiet.
Not for the faint hearted but cheap and I have other ideas for my $... so I can share the room. I found two beetle looking things with long whiskers resting in a corner. I explained to them ( I am sure they are the oldest surviving critter) that I was a Buddhist and would not kill them as long as they slept on the floor. I read that if you keep a light on, they will not roam round as much.. so I will leave the light on in the shower. I also noted that folks padlocked their room when they left after locking the door... fortunately, the old girl scout brought my combo lock from my ym bag. Happy bonny.
I will only share a few stories for I am tired and I need to walk through alley's to go "home" to my pets. As I walked up still another ally to get to Khaosan, I saw and offering on the ground about 10 feet from a spirit house.. there was two lumps of rice and something in a bowl and incense. As I got the camera ready to click, I found that a large mouse.. well you get the drift on that one.. about 5 feet long was partaking of the rice. I got a blurry picture of the rodent but it was very amusing to me. There were also cats walking about, but they were not about to tackle anything this large.
The usual crowd was on the Road and I went to a newer place near my facial place and had an hour foot massage.. happy bonny. It is now 9:30 pm my time.. morning for you and I have been in these clothes since yesterday at 4... time to go and have a scambled egg. Going to pass on the beer tonight.. need to find my way home.
Tomorrow I will start my quests and take the water taxi and sky way to the market early in the morning. I am enjoying being by myself so can fuss with my pictures. Know you are all with me.. bye for now.

Hours to go.....

It is 11PM and my alarm is set for 4:15AM so that I can rise and shine and get my gear and self out the door to begin 2008 Thailand. The Thai phrase same same but different is in my head for there will never be another 2007 group - that was one of those things, experiences, that just hardly ever happens like falling in love with the right person at the right time. Knowing me, whoever is there or not there, I will still try to help myself get into the adventure of just begin alive and able to travel. I looked at a picture of me today and said, who is that old lady and when did she get here. Old or not, I am grateful for my energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity. It is a great gift never to be bored.
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I was struck by several things as I got my stuff together 1) even if you have all the time in the world, it will never be enough time to do things exactly the way you would like to do them and 2) no matter how prepared you are, you will always believe that you have failed to pack the most essential item and if allowed will help to drive yourself quiet crazy.

I take many good people with me in my heart on this trip: the posse, the breakfast bunch and mates, the 2007 Thai group and the special people who have shared my journey to date.

So it is off to bed with a smile and a sense of loving-kindness for the Bonz. Let the journey begin.

TEN DAYS AND COUNTING

Ten days and counting. This year, for the most part, I know what to expect, where I am going, what the supports will be re laundry etc. and I am not working so you would think that getting ready would a snap. I am very convinced that it takes the same time to anything and everything, which might be the second sentence to how you do anything is how you do everything. I know what I meant and if you know me, you might get my drift. It would have been a good thing to buy a new camera while I was working, but oh well, the budget can be adjusted and I learned what a great thing pictures are. I am going to buy one of those continuous loops when I get back so I can glance at the screen while I am working and experience some sunny days of pictorial reminders.

So being Bonny, I have set out to be shrink the learning curve regarding my new toy so that when I am in the middle of the Mekong River, I will not be reading the instruction book. I am so very lucky to have talented and learned friends and Brother Joe Arena has been a great help both in helping select the equipment as well as helping me get up to speed with my learning. (the brother part is to remind Cheryl that even though we have had our third date, he is family)I can only tell you that the Nikon D40 SLR Digital, is not the same point and shot 2 mega pix. that I took last year. One of the things that I have spent hours doing is putting pictures to my 2007 blog. I knew there must be a way and one that would allow me to share my visions with the readers. Of course Joe knew how is loaning me his UBS digital reader so that when the puters a UBS slot. I send some pics along the way with my script. Pets are great and my Fritz likes to sit next to me as I work on the computer and had been here with curiosity for much of the camera work. So to try out my new hub and bring along a picture of my assistant, I took a close up of Fritz and then popped it into the text. I will try my best to use upscale computers, but the ones with the Thai letters might not have a UBS slot... I am excited about this new way but I hope not to be lazing in my writing and describe my visions in text as well. Oh, and I have finally figured out the spell check.. so hopefully you will be able to read my blog more easily. Bye for now from Bonny and Fritz