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Hi,

Our weather has been very warm days and cooler nights than expected.  It feels like the nights are getting colder, even though the days are hot.  It requires dressing in layers when leaving the house.  Today (1-22) was Lisa’s birthday here in Thailand.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ tune was “Memphis, Tennessee” by Chuck Berry.  Here’s an ‘Easy Monday’ song that's sure to bring back a memory:  “Is there anybody going to listen to my story, all about the girl who came to stay?  She’s the kind of girl you want so much it makes you sorry, still, you don’t regret a single day.  Ah, __, __, __.  When I think of all the times I tried so hard to leave her, she will turn to me and start to cry.  And she promises the earth to me and I believe her, after all this time I don’t know why.  Ah, __, __, __.”  Hint:  1964, from across the pond.

Saturday morning we were feeling strong and adventurous so we went ahead with the plan to go to Big C and stock up on provisions.  It went well and we continued across the highway to the mall.  Forgetting that it was Saturday meant that we forgot the mall opened at 10am.  Why are there so many cars in the lot?  Because their owners are shopping.  This allowed us to get our coffee and sit inside the mall and relax while watching the movement of the mall.  All signs of the mini flower show were gone.  The gardens had been replaced with giant sale tables for one of the prominent regional clothing lines.  We had just enough energy to look from a distance.  

Today’s photo was taken at Central Plaza Mall.  It’s part of the decorations for Chinese New Year, which is February 16 this year.  It’s the Year of the Dog.  

In the evening, when we arrived at Rai Maefarluang for the annual exhibit/party, we had no idea what the theme was.  The first clue should have been the young men who did a dance that displayed the extensive tattoo work on their backs.  When the ‘show’ was over we met up with our friends Aey and John.  That’s when we got the whole explanation.  The exhibit was about the history of the traditional/religious tattoos.  Aey was a big help in understanding some of the purpose and mythology.  Through numerous photos and banners explaining things in Thai, we learned more detail about the sometimes mysterious world of the ‘old school’ tattoo.  They all serve a purpose, and were not done for the sake of adornment.  Some are for protection, others are for the attraction of others, and there are legends about tattoos with tigers that allow the wearer to leap over their enemy when in battle.  There are rules that must be abided by for the symbols to work.  Fascinating stuff.  Later in the week I’ll share some photos.

Enthusiasm can sometimes make one forget things, like the fact that you’re still ill and running on reserve energy.  Our Saturday left us with low batteries on Sunday.  Not knowing where the flu exits and the cold enters is another thing that gets confusing.  Day to day symptoms change, shift, and often overwhelm.  We think Mr. Lag is gone, but there are evening bouts of nodding that seem like his signature move.  

Have a Great Week.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

“If you can’t feed a hundred

people, then feed just one.”

~Mother Teresa