this&that

Here are a few things I've learned since I have been here:

- The amount of timezones you jump is equivalent to the amount of days it takes you to adjust from jetlag.

- In Thailand, the spoon is used as a fork and the fork is used as a knife. It is just as strange to put a fork in your mouth in Thai culture as it would be for someone to eat with their knife. Also, chopsticks are only used with noodle soups.

- They are very proud of their king. You can't put currency with his image on it in your back pocket, nor should you lick a stamp with his image on it. There are sponges for that.

- On the other hand, some Thai ambassador's wife who is a famous socialite and is considered a beauty, looks like this:


















- It is entirely possible that God likes Thai food best because He made it the tastiest.

- Traditional Thai massage is unlike any massage I have ever had (and I have been around the massage block a few times). You lay on a mat on the floor, and are dressed in silk garments they provide. There are no pretensions: no music or aroma therapy, no fancy sitting rooms or procedure. They do, however, put their fingers in your ears at one point. And it helps if you're flexible.

- There are numerous opportunities to volunteer: their environment needs lots of help and they are desperate for teachers, who are much more highly respected than in the states (read: volunteer/job opportunities for Katy)!

- Many Europeans question the life expectancy of the dollar, since our economy is crap and we export next to nothing, those we import from are less likely to give the dollars back to us and instead put them in other investments.

- I also wonder why we think our government (who imposed the Patriot Act and was compliant with the Chinese in censoring the people's access to the internet) wouldn't censor our online accessibility. Limiting foreign criticisms and overall information about the U.S., like a reverse propaganda. Would it be so far fetched, when the majority of the internet developed under this administration? I mean China did it, why wouldn't G.W.? Even the BBC is totally watered down, American BBC. After learning what is common knowledge from a foreigner's point of view about our policies and politics, it seems more and more likely. I guess I'll find out soon enough...

Not bad for only leaving the premises once since I've been here... Pi cooks for us every night and every morning, with leftovers for lunch, and it is incredible. We ate in town once yesterday, but were sure to make it home by 7 in time for dinner!

We leave Saturday afternoon for Chiang Rai. Sunday we tour the Golden Triangle, on the Burmese border. Mai Sae, I think it's called. I guess it used to be the capital for opium production, which seems appropriate because I watched American Gangster on the way over here (which was Vietnam, I know, but still). Then we go down the Mekong!

Tonight we go to the night bazaar in Chiang Mai, which is about 20 minutes outside of Bor Sang (where we're staying). Peter takes us into town whenever we need to go... I have never had more gracious hosts in all of my travels. They are so incredibly helpful, and informative, always ready to assist -- call a friend to find out where to buy the best umbrellas or how to send packages, we mention once we like Tom Yum soup and it's homemade fresh by dinnertime. Granted we are paying them to stay here, but their kindness and generosity is above and beyond, to say the least. I am excited for the adventures to come, but I'll be sad to leave The Secret Garden.