Life

Hi,

The temperature in Perth was cooler than yesterday.  It was definitely hotter downtown than at the hotel, by the river.  It rained lightly in the morning, but the afternoon was clear.  It also rained in Chiang Rai according to our ‘field reporters’.

The ‘Easy Monday’ tune was, as some of you know, “Monday, Monday” by The Mamas & Papas.  Next up is a ‘Zany Day’ song from some locals.  “Traveling in a fried-out combie, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie, I met a strange lady, she made me nervous.  She took me in and gave me breakfast and she said, ‘Do you come from the land __ __?  Where the women glow and men plunder?  Can’t you hear, can’t you hear the thunder?  You better run, you better take cover.”  Hint:  It’s from the early 80s and was an international hit.  

Before we set out into the day we visited the hotel gym.  Stephen had told us how great it was and now we understand.  All of the equipment is brand new and I guess one might call it ‘state of the art’.  On the treadmill you can watch sports, TV, or Youtube.  I can walk a long way watching Youtube (555).  After a light workout, we decided that when we return home we need to check out the newer gyms in Chiang Rai.

Today we rode the city bus into the downtown area on our adventure to the art galleries.  It’s the first time we’ve been on a bus in very long time, except for the Green Bus to Chiang Mai.  The buses here are rather special in that the seats are like theater seating.  At about mid-bus, they start to rise so you can see what’s ahead.  The seats were very comfortable and were covered in a beautiful print.  Another unique thing was the tall windows, allowing for a good view of trees and buildings.  At the center of town, at the bus terminal, we got directions to the Cultural Center.  A taxi later and we were there.  Two exhibits dealt specifically with indigenous art and a third had some strong examples.  The work was quite moving and we learned a lot about aspects of life and being displaced in one’s own country.  I wish I could tell you to get down to the Cultural Center and check out these exhibits but, well, I understand if you don’t (555).

Perth has a lot of water in the form of rivers, running through and around the city.  Some parts are so wide that they look like giant lakes.  I’ve never been somewhere that had so many rivers so close to the ocean.  

This evening we went back downtown with Stephen and Claire for the ‘Open Air Cinema’.  As we arrived we encountered a beautiful sunset.  After finding a spot with four ‘chairs’, we ordered food from a truck and hung out.  Many people brought their dogs, so that was fun.  We met a greyhound and a few others.  Then we settled into our beanbags for the main attraction:  “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”, which we hadn’t seen.  There were about 100 people under what began as a starry night.  By the end of the movie there was a very light sprinkle.  The timing couldn’t have been better.  

Tomorrow is our last day at Aloft, then we move to Stephen and Claire’s apartment.  We’ll be on our own again, exploring more of Perth, but probably closer to our ‘base camp’.  Possibly a stroll along the river and maybe another bus ride.  Who knows?  That’s the cool thing about not having a total plan.

It feels like a Wacky Wednesday.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

“Life would be tragic, 

if it weren't funny.”

~Stephen Hawking