Hi,
The weather was cooler again today, with no rain, but lots of clouds. We said good-bye to a friend and made some new ones.
The 'Easy Monday' song was "I Wish It Would Rain" by The Temptations. Time for another dose of the 'Zany Day' song, one you just might remember: "I pulled into Nazareth, I was feelin' 'bout half past dead; I just need some place where I can lay my head. 'Hey, mister can you tell me where a man might find a bed?'. He just grinned and shook my hand, and 'No!', is all he said. Take a load of Annie, take a load for free. Take a load off Annie, and (and, and) you can put the load right on me." Clue: Concerns the effect of gravity (555). Title is in two words.
This morning we went into town and ventured into the Talat. The big market place was buzzing with activity. It's that time of year when folks are shopping for Songkran celebrations, and doing some back-to-school preparations. Part of our trip was to get Cat a few new items for her school uniform, and have the 'class' changed on some of her tops. All of the school kids have to wear a uniform. The shirts/blouses have the name of the school on one side and what class they are in on the other. There are lots of little details to attend to before starting a new year. Even though school doesn't begin for her until May, there's almost a two week wait for the sewing to be finished. Every time I see kids and their parents pondering sizes for shoes and clothes, it reminds me of when we'd go shopping before school. I suppose having a uniform takes a lot of the style choices out of the equation.
This afternoon we had a visit from a couple who run a foundation to help Akha youth. They have some recent high school graduates who are looking for work before they begin college. There is a strong possibility that we will have some temporary help in the near future. They may also be able to find us a couple to stay in the back house as full-time workers. They speak English fluently and we had a lot of interesting conversations, ranging from Chiang Rai history to art. Khun Luk went to school near our house and he remembers when there was just a bamboo bridge across the river. Only bicycles, motorbikes and foot traffic was allowed. Then a steel bridge was built, but later replaced with the concrete/steel one that we have today. He told me how the river used to flood during the rainy season and there was water where our house is now. Khun Ghan told us how the last big earthquake destroyed 80% of their dormitory facilities. They are located in Mae Lao, the epicenter of the quake. It turns out that they have a mutual friend with Blue. An American couple who lived in the region for many years, helping the Hill Tribes used to visit the Bangkok Blue Restaurant and they became friends. It's a small world after all.
The biggest news of the day concerns BamBam. This morning Boot and Rudy came over and gathered up all of BamBam's 'things' and we took her to Rudy's house. She missed them terribly and her barking and restlessness at night, keeping us awake, made it obvious. She will be living with them now and we're sure they'll all be happier.
Today's photo was taken at the Healthy Market. What you're seeing is four very large Thai pumpkins. We usually buy pumpkin after it has been cut into smaller wedges. These whole ones are more difficult to deal with. They have to be boiled to soften the skin and it takes a big pot and a lot of muscle.
Time for Wacky Wednesday.
Peace,
Danny
"Remember, happiness doesn't depend
on who you are or what you have; it depends
solely upon what you think."
~Dale Carnegie
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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