Hi,
Another hot day here in Chiang Rai. The sky was clear by the afternoon, with no sign of rain. There was also no sign of troops. Today was a good day.
This week's 'Easy Monday' song was "By the Time I Get To Phoenix" by Glen Campbell. Feel like a 'Zany Day' song is in your future? Well, here it is: "End of the spring and here she comes back, 'Hi, Hi, Hi, Hi, there. Them summer days, those summer days. That's when I had most of my fun, back. High, high, high, high there. Them summer days... __ __ __ __ __ (x 4)." Hint: A key word is in the verse. It was a family affair that took you higher. Hmm.
This morning, while we were playing with the dogs, I happened to look over the wall to watch the passing cars. There is something about watching people doing their morning commutes that sparks my imagination. Where are they going? Are they on time? Suddenly my attention focused on a group of 'Forest Monks' walking by the side of the road. I knew who they were by the color of their robes, the fact that they were carrying everything for a long journey, and they were all barefoot. I find their way of life intriguing. They live in another time. No motorized transportation, no electronic devices, and the humblest of dwellings in the woods. Today's photo shows them as they continued down the road.
We went to Makro, which is a necessary thing to do. On our way home we stopped for gas. The young man who helped us was practicing his English. When Lisa told him in Thai, that we wanted a full tank, he replied in English. When we finished he gave us the price in English. From time to time we have encounters like this and it puts a smile on our faces to see someone trying to communicate. Quite often, we get the same response from Thai people when they see we're trying. It's a very intimidating thing to suddenly use words from another language in a real world situation. For us, we often don't know if we'll be understood. Sometimes you can say a word with every intention of doing it right and they'll look at you with a blank stare. There was some tiny little thing that wasn't right and it cancelled the whole thing. Other times, there is an understanding from context and they'll work with you. The adventure continues.
There are still no signs of Martial Law in Chiang Rai, which leads me to believe that the main focus in on Bangkok. In the big city, what was bad traffic is now worse as a result of the new decree. Check points at main intersections are tying up the movement of vehicles and it's slower than ever. Another reason we love life here in the north. We may see an influx of 'visitors' as a result of the congestion in Bangkok. I'm sure the local merchants will greet them with open arms.
This evening at dinner, Cat told us that her group had to clean her classroom today. The class has five groups and each day a different group cleans the room at the end of the day. Very interesting concept.
Time for Wacky Wednesday.
Peace,
Danny
from the same level of
consciousness that created it."
~Albert Einstein
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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