Soul

Hi,

The weather in Culver City is 10 degrees cooler than the weather in Chiang Rai right now.  Looks like we’re in for a bit of an ‘adjustment’ on our return.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “Walk On By” by Dionne Warwick, also covered by Issac Hayes.  Time for a ‘Zany Day’ song to travel with (5).  This one is from 1967:  “__ __ __ __, __ __ __ __, drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain.  La de da de de, la de da de da.  Charleston was once the rage, uh huh.  History has turned the page, uh huh.  The mini skirts the current thing, uh huh, teenybopper is our newborn king, uh huh.  __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __.”

Hint:  Performed by a duo, babe.

Yesterday was the day we found the things we needed on our next to the last list.  I say that because today is our last day and there is sure to be a new list.  

We had lunch with Melissa, who worked with Lisa for 15 years, at a place called Wahoo’s.  We’ve been there before and it’s an experience.  There’s sort of a surf/sports motif, with lots of TV screens and food choices.  We meet with Mel every time we come to the States.  It’s another of those long-time relationships that continues to be interesting.  There are work updates, family stories, travel plans, etc. and we always manage to get in our fair share of laughter.  

During the course of the day we went to several health food stores.  We don’t have anything in Chiang Rai like what we see on the west side of L.A.  So many choices, at great expense, I might add.  There is a small shop in Chiang Rai called ‘Healthy Choice’ that we go to sometimes.  It could fit in the corner of one of the stores we saw today.  

Driving down Sepulveda Bl. this morning, we followed a food truck.  On closer inspection we saw the words “Thai Street Food”.  Oh, it was bound to happen.  We didn’t get to see the whole menu, but from the rear of the truck I could see a few favorites.  If you live in the area and ever see the truck when it’s open for business, take a pic of the menu and send it to me.  

Our final visit was with Cousin Wendy.  She loves animals and we always exchange stories about our dogs and the animals that she rescues, fosters, and helps.  There was also the updates on family members that she hears from and the changes in the local ‘cityscape’.  Wendy has been in real estate and gives us interesting insights.  It’s always a treat to hang out with her.

In the evening, Lisa, Anna and August went out for dinner and did some exploring.  They took Lisa to a store near the house that we had never been to called the ‘Food Co-op’.  Sounds like we missed a bet not going there sooner.  Next trip I have to check it out.  

Tonight we start the departure process by heading for the airport early to allow for traffic.  Then we wait for our 

12:05am flight to Taipei.  I’ll write to you from there.

It’s going to be a Wacky Wednesday.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

“There can be no keener

revelation of a society’s soul 

than the way in which it treats

its children.”

~Nelson Mandela