Goal

Hi,

This morning Boot returned. The dogs are very happy, and we are also happy. We covered a lot of territory in town today.

There's nothin' like an easy song on 'Easy Monday'. I just love getting mail. Maybe today the rest of you will write.
"Set me free, why don't cha babe. Get out my life, why don't cha babe. (Ooo, Ooo, Ooo) 'Cause you don't really love me, __ __ __ __ __ __..." Clue: The title of the song is not exactly the way it's sung. If you get confused, it's OK. After all, it's supposed to be 'Easy'. Ha.

When we got Boot's call to say that she was back in Chiang Rai, there was a sigh of relief that could be heard throughout the house. It's not that we can't take care of ourselves, but with Daku in such a dramatic state, we really missed the extra help. When we got to the house, BamBam saw the car from the front door and went into her little spinning dance. She twirls around in a circle, pivoting on her hind legs. Daku was upstairs, in a daze, and when he heard Boot's voice he popped up and his tail started wagging like crazy. They had a warm reunion and then she knelt and just held him for awhile. She spent the rest of the day relaxing, and getting over the long trip.

We went to Big C for lunch and supplies. For the first time since we've been living in Chiang Rai, we ate at KFC. It was different than the one in Chiang Mai. The food was quite good. One thing that I should mention is the fact that I worked real hard at following cultural convention. I ate my chicken with a knife and fork. Fried chicken and pizza are usually eaten with the fingers. At least that's what I always thought. Here, it's so amazing to see people cutting a slice of pizza into bite-size portions. I did pretty good with my lunch, but I broke down at the end and picked up a bone, and some fries. How uncouth. After our meal we just got up and left. They bus the tables for you. Hmm.

After a successful trip upstairs to Big C, we went in search of an acupuncture clinic that we'd been told about. We didn't find it, but we got to see another part of town. We made a few stops to finalize our Koh Lanta trip, and went to the little market for veggies, and chicken. From there we went home, stopping at the roadside fruit stand for watermelon, and pineapple.

In Thailand, the pedestrian has no right of way, unless there is someone directing traffic. There also don't seem to be any laws regarding 'J' walking. If you need to cross the street, you just cross. You might get to the middle of the street and have to wait, but you can do it if you're brave enough. Yesterday, we were in slow traffic when I noticed three school girls half way across the street. I paused to let them cross and one of them 'wai'd' me. That's the first time that's happened. It was such a nice gesture.

There are some sounds that we find we've gotten used to. Like the chickens across the field behind our house. Or the sound of the small geckos who live with us. One thing that still grates on the senses are the loudspeaker trucks. It's rare that they come down our road, but today in town one of them was blasting an ad for something. It struck me that this was noise pollution. I often wonder how a certain practice would be accepted in Culver City. This would not fly at all. Of course, it's the perfect way to get your political message out, or sell product. But can you imagine? Another reason this place is amazing.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we
seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal."
~Martin Luther King Jr

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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