post script

Getting pictures into the blog as I travelled was a bit of a challenge and there were many that I thought would be really better than words.. One being - Digby does Thailand. From the moment I saw these two men, and I am sorry I did not get a pic of the other, they made me smile. This is a picture I took at the very plush Bangkok airport. There is about a mile of designer shop.. and duty free stuff. When I sipped a brew with a couple from new England in Laos, the question was.. what is the story with the two guys in black you see all over town toting this doll. In this picture, the doll is sitting in the airport buggy that you use for your luggage. The one "father" has taken off his coat and put it over the carrier. I did not want to just go up and look at what was going on, but it appeared that they had a little seat belt arrangement for the doll. At the airport, I did ask the partner, what is the story with your doll, and he said.. oh, that is our mascot (I think he said digby) and he goes everywhere with us.... Everywhere is an understatement. In this picture, father the dentist, is carrying the tyke over a crude bridge leading from a very primitive tribal village in the middle of no place on the Mekong River. Just after this shot, he asked a fellow traveller to take a picture of them on the bridge.. only in the US.. and only in NYC. could this "family" grow. In the bag with Dig.. was a piece of silk he bought to cover a panel in their NY apt. The two men (Dig did not appear to have an opinion) argued whether the panel would be right or cover the panel or was a good as the one they bought in bora bora.. they probably paid $4.. toss it out was my thought.. but that would not make as funny a story. Now, on the plane, I did not need a seat belt.. I had to use two hands and strong arm myself out of the tight fit seat.. (which I sat in for 17 hrs less toilet time)... the dig group, were in economy plus.. one less seat in the middle.. I could have actually felt my own thigh if I was sitting there. I am not sure.. but I believe that Dig had a seat next to the other "father".. again.. I will remember these two.. and they just love corn hill...

home from the sun

It will take my body clock a few days to catch up.. and my skin a few days to be use to being cold.. but so far so good. Sheila was there to pick me up. She was a great sorce of joy after 17 hrs next to a State Department person.. Glad to know somone things Oliver North is a hero. Driving was strang and I am tired. I have been traveling since Friday morning.. trains --planes... and automobiles... I am going to make some soup.. have a shower.. and just chill.. tomorow is another day.....

Sunday afternoon

I am not happy with whatever they did to the blog.. but at least I have figured out where to put some letters. No pics.. but this is a little better than nothing. Well.. after I did the morning post, I had some eggs and coffee..no marmalade... I have come to love marmalade.. I was not impressed with the Vienthai when we were here with Zen Thai.. so I thought it only fair to use the luv. They don't mark the door.. so there is rarely anyone there.. I wish I had my clean fly home shirt.. but .. no go

Things have changed and I can not see where to post....help

This is a very strange appearance of the dashboard... althought it appears to be working.. not even going to try pictures. I got my stuff from Galare and my stuff from Lanna and my backpack and my camera...and got a tuk to the train station.. lordy it is a load. I dragged my stuff the length of the station and then dragged it onto the train. I did get some help from a man traveling with his family and the police capitan in charge of safety on the train.. but it was a bear. The train, probably built in 1920 consisted of two seats facing each other on both sides of the car. they pulled out old metal traies to serve dinner. I decided to eat a veggie meal with a woman who's husband is a pilot and who spoke engish.. works in insurance and her boss is US... She was very helpful in getting the meal and helping me understand what I needed to do. At about 7 they came around and moved the seats to sleepers.. I sat on my bed and read my budda book.....put most went to bed and sleep.. I had a singh with dinner.. so I had to use the luv.. which I was not surprised was a squat... I am glad my knees are good.. it is a challenge to stay up going 40-50 miles per hr and stopping for buffalo every once in awhile.. I have discovered that my friends in BKK were "beetles"... ok.. whatever.. but they have a bevy of them that like to travel.. think I might leave my lugage outside when I get home. Well I woke up every hr or so, and the bunk area got hot.. but the trip was pretty good and on time... I was very happy to have the lower bunk which everyone said was the best.. first.. I could sit up .. and second.. the overhead light was not in your eyes.. but.. I can tell you I spent a long time thinking about going to the bathroom and getting off the plane. the bathroom need came first.. so I dicovered that the luv on the right was actually a sit down.. I used it.. but I think the squat was probably better. The room had a nice ww 11 grey metal look about it.. and was very greesy.. the train was ok.. pretty cheap and and experience.. which I will not have to have again.. and I can not imagine most of your wanting to do. I did get the stuff off the train.. the train bed maker helped an dropped the suitcase on his foot.. and probably is on the way to workman's comp. Oh.. what was I in the last car.. I haulled the stuff down the train area.. long time... and then got a gypsy cab.. 500 ...and his breaks were hardly working and made an incredible squeal.. but I got to the airport and found they don't shrink wrap any more.. but did find the lugage check in.. and dropped off stuff.. got the khosan raod bus.. and I am now at the puter place after having so OJ..
Sheila will not have to look for me at the airport.. I have walked all over CM...slept on a train.. and then taken a plane.. in the same body even with a new shirt.. oh well.. love me or leave me.. b.

all together...

I journied onto the donut man but they had cleaned up for the day. His assistant that wore a hate was there and immediately recognized me.. why do I wonder...how many older farang's come and eat donuts at 6am. Well seeing him I have a good idea that his day is much shorter than I tought. As the assistant was shutting down and taking a rest.....hard to recognize without his hat...there was another vendor setting up in his spot.. selling something with ice and the mothers dishwashing spot was used by another vendor... many of the food people were shutting down also.. well why was I there.. just have to have a sticky rice steamer.. now can you make sticky rice without a steamer.. sure.. but when Scott and I go in the restaurant bus.. we will need it... I did not go to a long explanation of my leaving and then coming back etc.. for he cares not and I don't need to tell him.

I also went by to say good bye to my favorite juice lady.. she cares no that I leave either...but might miss my 20 b everyday. Today she was tending her grand child. Her daughter is connected to another child and a tuk tuk driver. It would have been more polite of me to ask to take the child's picture.. but I snapped away because I thought she was lovely in her baby holder behind grand mother. As you might be able to tell in the picture.. she sells mango, apple and orange juice. I only get the oj.. 100% for 20 b. After I took the picture...the mother came and covered her up.

Last night I called Sheila and she said.. can you care everything home.. well I sure hope so.. I should take a pic of how I am typing.. I prop the key board up on my camara, which I pull in front of me at the table .... the chairs and the desk is wrong.. but intended to be comfortable. I had some cashews and beer at the Galare house.. and now.. my latte... I have had a lot of latte.. it is 86 in here.

On my way to the market and Galare I went by my donald duck Wat..there must be a wonderful story about this... but I am not sure what it is.. it just strikes me funny.. like expect whatever to appear before you ...and then nothing looks out of place. Donald is eating a bowl of noodles.. go figure.

Near the donald was a good example of the three qualities of the pandanas treet. the flower.. which is purple which also makes a salad... the banana.. and the leaf....

I also decided to take some pics at the galare house.. they were laughing at me as I tried to put 20 lanterns into my plastic bag... I will be every so happy to get to the airport and get this all stowed... 3 opium wts... 3 bells.. are heavy...... I want to finish this so I can have one more foot massage at the Wat before I go... the train is at 4:30 and I hear it is often late.. but it will take some effort to get my three bags on... so my view of the

Galare...nice garden and beer..

There are several times when I would like a companion.. the toilet and getting on to trains/planes. not easy.. feel like a bag person... I have also saved some $ to pay for the

extra baggage wt. in Bangkok....if I get to the weekend market...oh lordy... i might get a comforter cover... or I might just go and spend my time having a facial.. getting a pedicure and manicure....;0

Sat morning...

These are pictures of where I am and have been from most of the time of the writing... they sell frappe and latte.. and I usually do a Hazelnut Latte with ice... which is 55b.. about $1.70.. I get a 5hr ticket to compute for 100 b or about $3.12... the blog has cost me about $20.. but I know from last time it is a good journal.. even with the spell check.
The little man sitting next to me still ...you can see his head in the pic. He is writing to some folks he met and is on the 15th line while I have answered mail, downloaded pictures and blogged through the six pictures and serveral paragraphs. I am in the empty chair.
this was my breakfast.. mushroom soup, fruit, and marmolade sandwich with coffee and juice

This is the ouside ...they also rent motor bikes here.. I would stay here again.. very convenient and every tuk knows Tha Pae Road.

And this is my view outside the breakfast stop.. you can see how convenient it is to Angel... and tempting.. but I need nothing ...

The more I have spend with myself the more I know I am far off the mark of being centered and present. I reread my early postings of complaining and being with the noisy ones.. that is exactly where I needed to be to learn the lesson.. but I also know that I will need to learn the lesson over and over... It would be much easiler for me to stay here in Thailand. I really don't have to engage or get involved or have an opinion or judgement or interaction with anyone. I have no idea what most of the people are saying and it most cases, I don't care. It is much easier to really be mindfull... without judgement or involvement .. more the scientist... just observing myself.. what I look at.. why I select this place to eat or stop or drop in....I sometimes can really feel myself blend to the background and fade from view.. that is when I can use the camera.. when the lens becomes my vision.. and I stop trying to make the picture be what I think I am looking at.. I just look through the lens and let my eye.. as the scientist take me the place. As a therapist I have tried to explain why someone is the way they are.. or I have tried to change the direction of a persons life that wants to go in another direction... I see many wealthy kids who have probably caused parents to drag them off to therapist.. to fix them... they walk around here.. talking to the children.. with their hair in knots.. and their nose with rings.. but they ususally don't drink that much.. prefer the country..want to know who the people are and what they think... and then there are the clean cut kids that travel in packs.. with t-shirts form Seatle State.. or Ohio University.. they have short hair and credit cards and are found in the english pubs.. and often have a buz on .. and sleep most of the day and party at night.... there are also very nerdy folks.. boys that you know have hardly had a date.. sitting awkwardly with a thai girl who is for hire.... and the boy know little more to do with her that the girl back home.. but you know that before the night is over.. she will have taught him a thing or two.... This is not a comment on rich and poor it is more on focus at this point in time in the lives of people. it is very easy to party and it is a great place to party... you can see Thailand like you see Key West...threw a bottle.. or you can get so into the other culture that you forget what your culture has to offer. I watched a french movie last night while I sipped my brew.. a young boy was very frustrated and saw only the black of the society... he burned down his building... and a good fireman was killed trying to rescue someone. Then I see the university in Ill.. and some very good student.. stepped into an abyis and starting shooting people who happened to be in that place at that time... The governor said.. he will find out why... it will be a guess at best.. for know one knows in what space the man was in... it was not the now... here and now... this second.. the pressure of my fingers on the keys.. that is all that is real.. and everything else is colored by the selective memory of the past or the belief that something in the future will be better. My quest for the next phase will be for equanimity.. to be able to face life in all its vicissitudes with calm of mind, tranquility, without disturbance... In the last days, I find more piti.. joy in my heart.. I am not sad to leave.. nor glad to come home.. I am just excited about where I am and I want to hold what I have taken/given to my day... last sermon.. but a reminder to me upon my return.... no welcome home.. just welcome to now.. to here... and poof.....gone.

To finish on a more travel note... this is the end of my hour.. I have more time and will return for one last puter before I head to the train.. 4:30pm..... Last night I walked around the market and finally found the spot I sat on last year with Beth and enjoyed a beer.... This year I just watched with my camera eye. I saw a young man with his sister working on soap in a dish. Most of the folks

are probably buy and sell.. but this guy was carving... I went over and started to look and along came a very large group of Chinese folks who wanted to bargan... I stood and watch him and the folks bargin.. and when it was over.. he had sold about 20. I told him, I brought him luck and he said.. that is why I will give you the same price as their wholesale. He has been doing this for some time.. and can turn out an ivory soap flower in about 5 min and then they paint them.. I liked the pic of his hands... Joe.. I have come some ways from the Christmas party.. these ofcourse have no flash.. ... thank you Monika, Joe and Georgette for giving me more of an eye...

the bonz...

Friday...

These are a couple of pics I wanted to share re Laos.... was that only yesterday.. there are some very beger guest houses in LP..and when I said.. wow.. they have the tp on the street for sale.. several said..and for $10 a night..you need to bring your own. I can see me when I get home looking for the wastebin to toss away my used tp.. The other picture was taken at a tourest booking place. there are two things.. the bomb surely but also, the streets. I expected it to be me much dirtier. you think you are on a movie set.. clean .....
I am back at my little home away from home.. This has actually worked out well re my living space and computer place. The hotel is surprisingly good.. the beds are notoriously hard.. a slab with a thin matress.. but even this is not bad and their are two beds in the room.. the tv is state of the art.. watched what a woman wants with thai subtitles.. last night.. it was relaxing while I moved some stuff from here to there in the suitcases. I have made a large note to me not to bring so much stuff with me.. particularly books. the more I have gotten into my zen.. here and now.. the less is the book.. I would rather live my life than read of someone else's life... but you must be thinking that now about this drivel.

The internet is very swank.. large stuffed chairs that they require you to put the keyboard on your lap or type over your head.. at least not in a box. I had my free breakfast.. which turns out to be salad.. which I am not up for at 6:30 and rice..which was not ready.. and something.. I think some other rice and maybe banana;s ... I opted for a tangerine.. and a marmalade sandwich.. toasted.. you know it is toasted because it is warm. Anyway.. the picture is not a presentation of a dirty place.. just the reality of urban living.. I am sure roberta's cousin's live here...but I have not seen them.. This works like an ant trap.. they walk in .. and then take the stuff back to the queen roach.

This is a view of the outside of the building from accross the street. I would stay here again. but without breakfast. My room is on the backside away from Tha pea... main drag. What looks like balcony.. is the basket for the air conditioner. Again.. this is really ok.. and very central.. the red hibiscus was very nice.. but not as convenient.

After the blog time yesterday, I had a foot massage at the temple.. very good.. she helped to see what she was doing and working on. The folks that are there are certified by the thai massage society... The I stroled along and came to a place tht had morning glory, peanuts and a pumpkin soup that was great.. Before I left, I ordered a large brownie .. and that was good.

They had some music playing .. which if you were alone on V day. could make you really down.. slow semi country stuff.. the only think that made is rather different was the band at the next place that just about drowned them out. They were better than they looked. There were many woman out with their children trying to sell the men flowers for V-day.. and a pug was in the bar with the owner...

I took a strole and looked at the art deco at the bar. not exactily sociology of art... but I got into the difference beween each. There was a man thinking he could play the trumpet.. and a german club and danish place.. and italian.. all interesting. You really can't see but that is a guitar holding up the table.

I have not needed the pharmacy.. but I can not say enough good things about them. They all speak English.. and they can pretty much suggest something to cure whatever.

So today was cooking school and I walked to the school at breakfast and was there just as they were arriving. The school is interesting. The owner and an other teacher taught the course. We picked up about 11 in our class.. Chinese, Canadian, Belgeim and US. The first thing we did was to go to the market... it is was interesting because I got to asks some questions ... for example.. why the pink eggs. They have been hard boiled ..and what was the different in the rice.. it all looked the same. different growers and the price was my liter.. or measured.. so .. some farmers bring older rice.. and some new... there are also brown, red, and mixed rice.. and sticky..... Witcha has red sticky.. but the cooking school man did not know of this. I learned more about sticky rice and regular rice and cooking.. I might see if I can find a steamer in the morning at the market. Here Salak was washing the sticky rice and the putting it into the steamer.. they we cooked for 30 min. very good.. very nice..

The best part of this cooking school was that you walked about and picked the produce and could see how you got the stuff and how it was grown... The treacher was easy to follow and could answer any questions about his farm. I knew the celantra becomes coriander.. but the different egg plant etc. was interesting.. I took picks of each step of the way.... also we could decide if we wanted yellow, red, or green curry...and we could watch the others being made... tofu or chicken...oil or soy.. etc.. I made spring rolls and pumpkin in coconut to bring home for my dinner. I will probably stroll down to the market.. have a beer and then come home around 10 and have my snack... The people in the class were very nice.. and the price.. 900 is pretty standard.. $28... the difference..we made

five different dishes each.. and watch 10 others being prepared... and made lemongrass tea.. long day.. and I was tired.. standing... I got in his truck at 8:30 and got out at 4:30... I would recommend this class because you can really see the connection with the grocery and farm.

These are my cooked spring rolls...he challenged me to roll them well.. he didn't know I take to a challenges. but I can also climb in and out of a truck easily... and climb stairs without breathing hard.

For some of you, I have made the chicken marinated and then deep fried and wrapped in pandana leaf.. this is the leaf.. I now know how to make a boat to put my spring rolls in... It will be fun to do soup and bread for the sunday group.. in the near future.

I elected to make a green pappya salad.. We picked them right off the tree...he did it a little differently and then said.. thai's eat everything with rice and this with sticky rice. I tasted his 4 chili.. and it was do able...

I would like to get something to cover my conforter...I know that tucker will discover I am home.. but it really helps to keep the sheet and blanket on you.. so I will look for that.. Love my Laos slippers... hard to keep on but fun.This is the last night for the night market for me.. I will on the train at 5pm.. to chug off to BKK.. It is to take 14 hrs.. if I am lucky. I will get up and check my mail in the am.. and probably do one more blog.. for those of you who know want to know my conclusions re the spiritual part.. sleep in it will be sat..

This is the last chance gang.. I have wts, shawls, amulets, elephants.. if you want something... speak or not.. I have some room.. and I will be paying for the extra wt anyway.. and pray the plane not full.. although I know the men with the doll will be the plane... tune it.. will they have the "child" in its own seat.... or just in the black bag...

post script

Monika..you should find this very funny. I did not realize that I had den.. german keyboard activated.. so I did the whole blog using the z key for the y and the y key for the z.. oh well.. it worked on the screen

home... ahhhhhh

I have been on for 6 min and have gotten into the blog and downloaded pics I want to share.. I can tell you.. the y and z are reversed.. well this might be more fun to read than usual... I was rather overwhelmed by the hand work in L. When we went to the villiage, they were weaving.. now one of the folks who had been there a long time.. said.. much is buy and sell.. but it was not easy for me to tell. the market was row after row of women sitting with bedspreads and shams. I am sure it would have been a good deal, but the money was a bear for me and I just could not get it under control. They took am. but I just did not have much small stuff and they gave kip, In the small shops I could see women working on hems for the shalls.. so I suspect they bought the material and then sewed it on these pedel sewing machines.. whatever, they were worth the 3 to 8 $.

Today I bought a little hat.. it does nothing but keep my head warm and now that I am back to the land of the smile and sun.. I hardly need a hat. I would like to go back to the village if others were along.. I think most would enjoy the shopping and I did not see much of the town. The food was great ... can not believe I can eat mykong weed.. it is not as bad as cambodia.. it is moving and their are not folks living on the water.. near.. and fishing.. but they are crop folks. I do want to get to the plain of jars...I love the pictures of it..

I almost slept thru the boom boom this am.. it was very faint and I just rolled over. The tuks are different. Here are some of the many bright colored young monks getting into one. I did see a few of them playing sorta tag and one got tossed out of the wash house in my direction ... but I did not gaze at the skinny 12 yr old. They smile a great deal and well they should... probably have the best life in L. The next picture is of the front of the bike. The cabs are much more elaborate and the bikes are much bigger and newer. I did not ride in one. The hotel appologized for not picking me up.. and took me to the airport. There is much more to see.. in fact I really only saw the river and cave.. from 8 to 2.

My plane left at 1 today. There was a $10 charge to get out.. wonder if they would just keep me if I did not have the money.

Since I got an error.. virus message last night at the cafe ...but the pics appear fine.. I switched cards and have started my fourth. I ran into Judy .. of modern vespa.. who has one in Hawaii and was the nurse who started the burn unit.. she is on a quest to see as much as she can before it is all spoiled. When I saw her on the street I was thinking.. she probably is thinking .. there is that other funny looking older woman wondering about town. I think we got our baggy pants at the same store.. and I am sure neither of us give a hoot what others are saying. You might just get a pic of the bonz.

Just behind the house Judy is walking by was an alley and behind the house was a fenced yard with an ostrach.. and two dogs. and then up in the hill was this home... it is a little hard to see, but the laundry is out and the house hardlz together. There is much jungle area just behind the houses. I do not think too many folks go back here.

There are a ton of tour places.. some rent bikes.. which has just become illegal... so if you rent one.. as in pedal bikes... you are told to tell the police that you have lived in L for a long time and bought the bike... This was a sign on the outside of one of the rental places.. I thought he had humor.. don*t be Crabby..be Savey! They were looking for a few more people to go to the plain of jars.. ah .. another time...

I tried my old disc and it is not reading it on here.. I am sure someone can fix it.. since I can see all the pics.. let it go.. Well my room at the internet place is just great.. nice air.. quiet.. large.. wonderful bath.. and about 25 a nite. The bed in Laos was a step up from a blank.. my soft belly was hurting in the am...

You can see why I identify with Judy... life is either fun or not.. and I will opt for the fun. Off for now so you do not get board.. there are many keys not working on this puter.. Cooking school in the am... happy bonny

Happy Valentines day

My doggie sent me a v-day note.. and I hold all my readers in my heart with a warm thank you for your interest in my journey. I have not said much about my spiritual path.. but that has been as important as my observations. I am more convinced that I need the two meditations.. insight or mindfulness as well as the zen calming the mind.. I don't see a conflict.. and actually it is more a full circle to Thay's way. When I left the internet, I walked the market.. they are so needing to have someone buy... I did not get a bed spread.. I was overwhelmed and could not figure out what was what... a posse delight I am sure. I did my a bag for toting.. hilltribe on the outside and stuff in the inside... it will need some help to keep it together..(note to sheila)...it was 7 and I got some slippers for 3... and then to watch the news.. three..cnn, bbc, and alcazar.. different approach to US news.. cnn.....and bbc/alc these are very similar.. re waterboarding etc. Most of the folks that I find on the street...with funny hats, cheap shirts, bags over the shoulders and backpacks.. are very liberal and world focused.. The am walking with jewelry and expensive clothing and staying in nice places.. with destain for why the plumbing is not better etc... are not. so..so far religion and politics in the same blog... ok enough
I had breakfast at the hotel.. comes with the price.. which is far far more than I should have paid..but my fear got to me... eggs, bagette, juice and 2 cups of coffee...there appears to be strawberry and marmalade ... except where you can get local...mmm I bought an over the shoulder purse this am.. don't want to be confused with the uptown am. it is patched in hill tribe fashion..(again.. I will buy lunch sheila)... I went to a wat and met young monks eager to talk.. how are you... I am fine.. but they really could answer. A few dogs got into fights in the street. No one reacts,.. but all was well. the dogs do need care..and I have not touch one.. sores, fleas, lame. Luang Prabang is a UNICEF town to preserve the heritage and it is smoke-free world heritage place..
Last night as I sat and watched the woman walk up and down the hill to fetch water in her watering can to go back and hand sprinkle her new crop... we are taking about from my house to Jennifers up and then back..I tought how lazy I am and how mindless I am with my garden.. too many plates spinning.
I will go to Vietnam next trip... I know places that will be very hard to get to...but interesting. In spite of all that has happened, they are very grasious ( I try every day.. but the spell check always says.. failed).
I have many more stories in my head than makes the screen.. Yesterday when I was eating my peanuts a little boy with a red shirt came to sell me what looked like some type of heather. Needless to say, I had no use for the plant. He pointed to the peanuts and I stood and picked up the bag.. and poured a double hand full into his little dirty hands. He went accross the street and seeing some roosters in cages...tossed a nut for each.. He approached several folks.. most of the better dressed said nothing.. and the ones with the grubbies.. talked to him with smiles. In his path, he mispaced one peanut... and began his search through the moss.... finally he spoted it on the ground and picked it up and ate it.. He came back my way...and as he approached...I stood again and gave him as large a hand as he could hold.. and he went off in another direction. this morning, I packed and had a handful of nuts in the bag that I can not eat.. nor take.. where are the hungry when we have food. As I went down the river yesterday.. I thought of what this must have been like when I was 30...walking the streets with my little antiwar signs... most of the folks I see.have no knowledge of the bombs.. but when folks who went to the plane of jars told me most of the jars were not touched even though there are craters next to them... and in the caffin villages there still are hollowed trees with bones of relatives... no time to creamate and left without a merit send off. but then again.. nothing is perminant.... and we are all one. I am back to the land of smiles and will be more cheery... Thailand is very prospurous compaired to here...b

sorry no pics

I took quit a few today.. well when you are in a boat with two men from nyc who are holding a doll and you are going down a muddy river with mostly vegitation on both sides ... for many hours.. you snap. After I got back and did my internet stuff, I walked to one of the other wats. It would appear that the drum contest happens twice a day.. at 4am and 4pm. so i watched that. I then went back to the hotel and ordered a beer to eat with my peanuts.. i have no idea what it cost or how much I got back.. I know have 100000 of baht. probably have to get a taxi tomorrow and then a coffee at the airport etc. The money is very confusing it you are out and about. Well I was joined by a former school bus driver who is now teaching english at the university in China..and the then a nurse who has travelled to 62 countries.. and she is now retired and on her way to Burma.. then I went into the lobby and met two people from new england who told me of traveling to Laos with two men dressed alike who had a doll in a stroller... and who strapped the doll into the seat on the way here... oh.. can hardly wait for the trip home.. they are on the plane. After a quick stop at the luv.. I went to a new place for dinner. It was very crowded so I joined two other women .. one from Belgim and the other france.. we had to eat in anhour so that the reservation for the table at 8:30 would not be put out.. I have been soo cold today.. glad to be wearing the back pack.. I am off to bed now.. and will not post until tomorrows return to Thailand.. bye

Loas... day 1.5

Well.. this is different. You walk about asia.. and think nothing of it and then you say.. well think I will go to a different part of Asai.. and boom.. you are in a very different part. I think I will have to figure how to get pictures into the blog when I return. it was hard in Tland.. but this looks very hard. Well.. I am travelling only with my backpack..had to bring that since I have all this silver to tote .. I sure don't want to come home without it.. I brought silver and underware.. first mistake. When I got off the plan, which was a prop plane.. it was dark and cold. Second mistake, I thought I would treat myself and have a pick up at the airport.. well the cabs came and went and folks with signs came and went.. and they almost no one was at the airport.. so I said.. cab.. and they said.. $5.. In L.. the kids know.. one dolloar.. for a few banana's, to free the birds, to buy a bag of tomatoes.. or in one case to buy a stone. The service people know .. $5 .. and the folks with the tour know $8.. as in $8 for a paper book, a bottle of rice whiskey,,, etc.. and a fleese sweatshirt. Oh.. I got the cab to the motel.. and when I got there.. he said.. you come at 6.. not so .. 16.. and of course he and I know there is not plan at 6. It was about 5:15 so I set out to find someone who looked like they had a lonely planet.. not a problem.. you are either asia or frang.. (most not am). The second person I asked had one and I looked up the hotel that began with an A.. that now was housing Wendy and Marge.. I found it and the them in. They proceded to tell me that they had met a man that told them my place was too noisy and he had left. I later learned that there is an 11 curfew. so not too noisy.. and after living with a crew that thought 3am was mid day and shoutable.. not a problem. Wendy had made a great purchase of a bedspread.. it was very nice. We went to some place called the 3 elephants and all ordered vegitarian... I a beer and marge 3 wines. the bill came to thousands of Kip.. which worked out to be 33.. but they forgot a wine.. so.. by the time Marge figured this out..and took off the beer and added the wine and added the deserts.. it came to about $9. We shared it all except the wine and beer.. great.. morning glory, eggplant.. and some seaweed that was really good.. They we walked to the night market.. they are all displaying bedspreads and hand done work.. welll.. my read as an old CHAF cridit.. lots more buy and sell and a few original pieces. There was a hill tribe looking deva that was $40.. that could be coming home.. but we will see. The most important things.. at about 55 degrees.. was the sweetshirt.. praise the lord... after being in the tropics of thailand.. I was in the refrigerator of Laos.. so snugged up .. I topped to check out the internet.. good/not good but did get a post to my faithfrul Georgette.. that I was alive.
This am.. I was pleased the breakfast came with the room. I was awaken at 4.. as in sit up in bed and take notice. I am living accross from a Wat.. they have very large drums.,. and at 4am they bang the drum.. as in BOOM BOOM........BOOOM BOOM. Ok... so I turned on tv and then went to sleep. The other think that the man at the desk did.. he could get me tour for $45 to see cave and two villiages.. not happening. I got up this am and walked to the river.. and a man said.. you go to the cave at 8 for $8,... sounded like a deal to me. Ok.. we stopped at a few tourest traps.. a rice wine place and a paper place. I found an opium pipe in good condition.. so you guessed it.. $8... I have tons of pics including me reading the gazette.. but can't get it into the system. I also put my raincoat on .. and while I was not toast.. it wasn't bad. There were two NYC men.. I can't talk about them without a photo.. they were the funniest of all the people I have ever met in all my years of travel.... That will keep you interested. We got to athe caves about an 1 1/2 hrs into the trip... I climbed in and took pics and then climbed and squatted... weh you have to go.. it doen't matter. To say that I feel like I am in a movie set is an understatement.. here is the ancient river.. the jungle.. and the Vietnam war protester.. in the middle of this country with most of the folks .. not remembering the war. I wounder what we would be like if the invader of 20+ years ago... came back to romp in the countryside. I just had lunch.,. beer (which is 5%) tempura veggies, veggie soup, and roasted cashews... mmmmm and then found the net.. so it is back to the hotel for a short stop and then off to see the rest of the city... I don't think I will climb to the top of the hill to see the sun set.. since you can just see accross the street. bye for now.

Tuesday.. last week

There are times when you can not imagine being anywhere eles.. I am so here and now.. and yet when I walked the back streets of a new part of the city at dark.. I am reminded that I am a stranger in a strange land. I think Thailand makes it's money from rice and tourist. You go around every bend and there is some sign in english saying ...happy hour.. or special this or that.. even on the soi that are very remote. I looked at the map last night and I have walked all but 12 streets in the old city. Ask me anything.. I have found the 24 hr great rice soup place, and I know where you can eat with a candle at night, and where to get lanters and beads.. and and. I am a rather simple eater, but being more adventurous.

I heard from Beth today so she at least made it to the beach and sounded ok in her e-mail. This pic was from a day we strolled.. yes that is a true word though unusual to say about Beth.. I hope she takes some time to just sit and do nothing... time will tell.

Last night, after hearing all about the fabulous tapas place.. I ventured out. The had chicken satey (cooked on a skewer of lemon grass.. with hot pepper and peanut sauces. ) and a beef with potatoe.. and the rest was fish.. I also had sauted mushrooms and something on bruchette and mixed veggies (mostly peppers) with a red pepper dip.. and a couple of short beers. As expected the meal was about 500 b. I enjoyed the atmosphere.. very upscale and unfornately, I left my hat. Now how will I remember that I am a really good person. Hats have been a trouble for me.. my hemp hat.. and now my zen hat. I have hooked my hook on the outside of my backpack.. which I will carry today on the way to Loas.. and I am hooking my hat on it. It is too hot to be without.

The place was very nice.. and you could sit at little round tables or lounge against the wall.

I went to a Wat yesterday.. I am down to only 2200 left to see.. and altough they are ever so slightly different.. I can almost tell them apart. There was no one there except a young boy. I bought a jade elephant that is to bring luck.. we shall see. There were a few young monks outside painting the stone blocks. The first one was painting with one hand and talking to someone on the cell phone on the other hand... I liked the light of the last one.. and thought.. why isn't he turning around so he can see what he is painting..

I also bought another book.. why bonny why... about the rules for lay people as handed down by the buddha.. think they might have had the same translators.. the rules for married women with their husbands sounds calvinist.. (sorry Jim)..

When I walked home the dark streets of the back alley.. I stopped in at an internet and picked up a message just written by Linda. I always smile when I thing that I am on the internet at the same time as the other person....I have found Kim at night and Linda in the am..and have IM'd with a friend in Fl. Today, at 8:30 I called Georgette. It is the only phone number, except mine that I know by heart. I stopped in to the place in the alley since it had one frang at a computer.. it is strange to suddenly think.. well girl.. you are carrying an expensive camera... and a few credit cards...most of the people passing say.. hello and just keep going. You can walk by tiny beautiparlors and laundries still pumping out the days work.. for 15-20 b a kg. hard work. They almost all hang the clothes out... even though there is dirt in the city, they keep things swept all the time and hang the clothing on hangers and fold it very carefully. poor but proud and friendly.. that is the Thai.. Laos will be interesting.. I am looking forward to the baggettes.. viva la french occupation.

I wish I could say that I was a shaddow of my self.. I have lost a small amount of wt.. but you will not notice.. think my toes have gotten thinner.. I am pretty sure there will be ok internet in L.. but if you don't here from me.. not to worry unless GP gets a call from the state dept....bye for now...b

Monday

Thought I would start your view with this.. ah those englishman.. but if you got an itch.. guess you should just itch it.. .. I had seen him sitting at a table with a thai woman.. so when he got up and walked away.. I already had the camera out..

To be fair.. we are not the old ones who had no sense of where we are doing what...

Well the cooking school folks came to the place about 9:10 yesterday and of course I had left and was trying to get the taxi driver to go to a place I knew we should go rather than travel around the city...oh well.. since I needed the day.. all is well. I made contact with them and I will go Friday. It really looks great. you go out and pick the veggies and then cook them.. but I will tell you more when it happens. By the way, to give you some idea of the time and effort that goes into the blog and pictures.. especially pictures.. I am on my 4th 100 min.. lots of time.. I often get a latte.. read.. talk to folks etc.. after I do my 1/2 of scrible.

After my late night wrestle with the puter and my folks on the street, I walked the length of the street where the sunday market is located. If you go and go.. you run out of market.. then you run into more market. Near the end, I stopped and had a beer and some veggies and rice. A am Japanese woman asked me to watch her stuff and then a german couple asked her if they could join her table. She had a full fish..head-tail and middle. The German helped her discect it. I thought it looked rather under cookied.. but she said it was excellent. The woman who was waiting on most of the tables had her shoe.. with a small but noise heel that attached with a small bar over her big toe. In spite of all the noise on the street.. all you could hear was clunk click clunk.. and she ran at a canter pace. You had to laugh. she went.. then turned around.. then turned around forgetting something.. clunk click... you could hear her coming. The walk home, while dark was easy.. walk to the end.. turn right.. walk to the electric store.. turn left.. walk to the end the parking lot.. turn right at the end of the parking lot.. then follow the windy road to the red hibiscus. Before I left the market corner, I crawled up on the wall and took a picture of the crowd on the street and the spot where I had taken the pictures of the people crossing.

I stopped at the 7/11 for a beer.. but when I got home.. that wonderful bed looked tooooooo nice. I just about layed down.. no lumps or bumps.. clean.. cool room... no one coming in late.. wonderful... I slept very hard and only briefly woke up out of habit.. it was devine and I would stay here again in a heartbeat. The floor is tile and the bath very neat and clean with good towels.. worth $10 if I had to buy it...

This is a view of the Inn.. as I walk to my room.. with the shoes.. clean and quiet.

And this is the front of the place...I ate breakfast under the umbrella.. it was 130 for eggs - toast - fruit - coffee.. the regular rate. I took off all my jewelry and packed my money and cc in my (really Sheila's) money pouch.. put on thai pants, soft shirt and wholey's and walked about 2-3 blocks to the Health Center and my morning treatments. I got there early since I did not want to be all sweaty. They are pushing cholophyl drink so I had two glasses before I got started. They checked my package as printed on my e-mail and said they would be ready in 10 min. They called me to a room.. gave me some paper pants and a piece of material. I have watched about everyone buy material and drape it around..so I just put on the almost too small black paper mesh underpants and wrapped the material with a beth kinda swager.. I did catch a pic of me in the mirror and I looked a little like granny on the hillbillies trying to go to a royal party.. but oh well..

Phase one of the process was the oil on the head.. this little thing.. named mai.. started to drip oil and push on the bone points over and above the eye brow... wow.. I must have been holding more tension than I thought.. She said it might hurt or I would feel pressure.. she rubbed my head.. and dropped the hot oil and rubbed the back etc.. for about an hour. I could feel some involuntary movement in my legs and feet.. .. the left side.. but while it was not without some soreness.. it was very good and I felt like she was pushing out the extreme tension I have felt for the past several weeks. When she finished.. my head was full of oil.. but she had wiped my face and neck so I was not dripping. She asked me if I would like to peepee before next phase.. I think that is a universal sign.. peepee... so now I have another word in thai. or laos.. etc.. I could see that she was joined by another woman.. and since I was not sure what they would be doing.. the pee pee sounded good. This entire drip and push was done with me under the material. When I came back and climbed up on the table.. face up.. they covered my eyes and started.. it was really something.. they were totally in unison.. and used both hands to rub my feet.. then oil.. then shake on something.. then oil .. then shake on something else.. one hand here.. one hand there.. one hand wherever.. and one hand someplace else.. amazing feeling.. shake.. drip shake.. rub.. I am glad I had the other oil deal since they also had my top naked.. but they were not as person.. and left about a 2 inch line across my chest. they pulled down the top of the paper pants.. but it all felt great. This went on for an hour with me turning over someplace in the process. It was then that I ralized that they had put oil and herbs on me.. I looked like I had fallen off a bridge into a little pad of brown. So when they finished.. I had my oiled hair.. causing my hair to go straight up.. and my body covered in oil and brown goop. Again they were very concerned that I was ok.. helped me off the table..and then tossed me into a wooden box when I sat on a pillow and put my head out a hole in the top. They gave me some more chlorophyl juice and talked to me.. to be sure I was not faint. I could see myself in the mirrow.. what a site.. but no camera.. I finished cooking in about 1/2 hr and then it was off to the showers. Of course it took me some time to figure out the water and to figure which was the soap and shampoo.. but I can tell you .. you don't just jump out of a bucket of oil and brown herbs without a good scrub. I would just think that I got it all.. when there was more. I finally had to use the hand towel to scrub my back.. I could not reach the pile located between my shoulders. I gave the woman what I had.. about 120b and then paid 3000 for the day. That is a great deal.. The place was terrific and I would recommend it for anyone. I picked treatments for my dosha.. but there were many.. including lots of internal clean outs and some kind of an electronic thing that you put her feet in a bucket of water and with some salt and some wires.. there is an explanation.. but for 800 I would rather have 10 beer and see if my hair turns curly.

This is picture of my arm.. the two monk strings were white.. or dirty white yesterday.. today they are saffrin.

The funny thing happened as I was leaving this place.. there appeared to be one woman with her feet in the water..and me.. and then a man came out of another room and was asking something about some time on something.. anyway, when I turned around.. I said.. were you at the sunday market laswt night with a woman with a ponytail.. yes.. he said.. and I said.. I took your picture.. and he laughed... held out his hand and said.. 10 baht please. What are the chances... funny stuff. When I got back to the room.. had a beer and some fruit and realized that my body was still full of herb juice.. .. got some on the sheet.. hope I don't have to buy a sheet.... it does stain....

I would love to bring a group over here to experience this country. I know that I would stay at the red hibiscus.. it is 45 for 2 nights.. both the Galore and the Venthai are much more.. and this is great. It is within a quick tuk to anyplace..and I have walked the entire city.. going this way and then that to cover it all.. I know most of the places that Beth thinks are great to eat at.. and I clear about some of scams and crap at the markets.. there are some bargins.. but many more good things that will not break or are of higher value other places. As I walked about last night.. I thought of the corn hill fest.. lots of shluck.. and some good.. same same but different.

To end this blog for the day.. and before I go to a juice bar that I heard of at the spa... it is now about 3:30...so I will just wander about for a little and then go to a plaza near my room. I am ready to move tomorrow. I have been thinking much about fear. It took me a while to figure what was going on with the group and leader.. and I think it is fear. fear of knowing who you are.. or what you have become.. fear of being alone.. fear of staying or going from a relationship... and maybe in my case... fear that I will becoming to a time when I can't do this.. I know I have people in my acquaitance that would rather stay in thier nice neat house.. but there is so many things to see..and so much to learn from the world.. I want to keep at it for many more years. But.. I think I would rather travel alone than with so much drama..

I know some of you have been worried about my being down.. and it was a down time.. but sleep...and people who have clear heads .. and calm manners.. makes a big diff....

A picture of me in a window.. same bonny... not different...

bye for now...