Mae Rim Lagoon

Saturday October 28
We made it out of bed at 5am, and down to the hotel foyer. It was a gorgeous hotel called Mae Rim Lagoon. It was nice and full of plants and ponds and just lovely all around. We went to the temple at 6. The monks need to eat their breakfast before 7 because they will have another meal before noon after which time they don't eat for the rest of the day. We gave the monks food that Chan's family had prepared. Then the 40 monks began to chant. It was such a beautiful, powerful, primordial sound and it sent shivers of goosbumps up my back to hear it. We all got some special "sai sin" for the wedding day.
After the temple we went back to the hotel and swam, we meet the most confident and handsome little british boy name Chris. He recited lines from AROUNG THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. After cooling off we rented bikes and rode into Mae Rim to see my FIRST Asian street market. WOW!!!!!! Now that is some fresh meat........LOL!!!
I was walking around with my eyes extremely wide open, just taking it all in, not to mention trying to figure out how many hours ago that pig was slaughtered. You know me, carnivore till the bitter end..... Jen knew how much I loved Spicy food and had me get some Tom Sum, which is this fabulous green papaya salad with peanuts, green beans, Thai Chili peppers, and straw mushrooms. IT was absolutely delicious. It was served with Morning Glory (good for the eyes they say) to help cool the taste buds after.
We then headed back to the hotel to don our Lanna style outfits for the wedding. Damn we looked HOT!!!! Once we were done getting dressed we headed up the rode to join the Grooms parade down to find Chan. The procession was led by Thai musicians, who were lead by this drummer who hit what looked like a base drum with sticks, knees, elbows and any part of his body he felt compelled to strike the drum with. What A SHOW!!!!!!!!!!! Then we hooted to signify the excitement of the day as firecrackers exploded all around and Thai women threw flower petals. The Thai's certainly know romantacism!!!!
The brides family hid Chan from the groom and once we arrived at the front of the hotel he could not pass till he paid her family. There were various points set up like this along the way. And Rick was not prepared. He had no idea, so he had to bum money off his family.
We moved inside where a village elder chanted some words of wisdom for Rick and Chan. The elder tied Rick and Chan's wrists together with sai sin and also attached a big rope to both of their heads. It was connected and I think it symbolized being mentally connected. Afterwards, all the friends and family members got to tie sai sin around them and then they were lead up to the bedroom where they presumably sealed the deal, while we waited downstairs. After they came down we were treated to Thai dancing , Fire Dancing, and the releasing of Thai Lanterns, basically minature crepe lanterns with small firepots to fuel them. We partied till around 1100 pm, then the jet lag hit us hard.

Chiang Mai

Friday 27 October 2006
We arrived in Chiang Mai at 9 am. It was Ruyard Kipling hot even at that time. Oh my!!! For a white boy of English descent it was buckets of persperation. Even more hilarious was that no one propositioned us for a "tuk tuk" ride or a trek, that is ....until I saw fit to pull out the Lonley Planet Thailand book for Jen's phone number, at which point we were descended upon by every possible sort of "vendor". Made me feel like a fresh piece of meat thrown into the lions cage. Better to look like you know something thant to pull out the guide book and remove all doubt.
But, not to fear Rebecca's friends Jen and Hillarycome to our rescue in a doi suthep (a pickup truck with benches in bed). It is good to know some "locals".
They took us to a fabulous local eatery for some much needed caffiene laced drinks and some good spicy food. Afterwards we went to rent some traditional Thai gard so as to be very nattily clad for the wedding we were invited to attend. Rick and Chen were to be married on Saturday at Mae Rim Lagoon Hotel Resort. This was quite fun and we both looked quite dashing in our colorful outfits. This proved to be such fun, that we felt it a must to continue treating our selves to Thai culture. So, on to the Spa for an hours massage. This was great, however my size created some unique problems for my massuese. Seems one of my legs was well more weight that the entire amount she weighed. Couple that with the fact that when she laid me on my back and extended my legs in the air for a good hamstring stretch, they were as tall as her. My toes reached the tip of her nose. She found this quite humourous, as did we, and told Jen in Thai that I was the largest legged man she had seen. Of course more chuckles ensued. Seems no matter the culture gap, all women enjoy laughing at men........She did however have some of the strongest hands and thumbs I hve ever experienced. At one point she asked me if she was hurting me by pushing so hard? To which I replied, " do you really think you could do anything to hurt me?" She laughed, as we all did, and of course replied "NO". We all laughed and then left feeling quite happy and revitalized. Ahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

Bangkok Galore!!

Thursday 26Oct2006

We headed to the imfamous Kao Sahn Road in Bangkok today. On the way back- to the hotel to get our bags and then straight to the train station- this was the plan! BAM!! Traffic Jam!! And not just any traffic jam. Whoa! 3 lane road with 6 lanes of traffic- no lights- no cops- just mass confusion- soo much so that our driver asked us to get out of the tuk-tuk and walk to the hotel to get our bags. Pollution- Exhaust fumes were soo bad!! Not only can you see it but you enhale it, taste it! Yuck!!

Overnight First-Class Sleeper Express Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
We opted for the first class sleepers- didn't know what we were in for- not what you would expect but definitely comfortable enough. Pretty comparable to the first class Chinese train except cleaner, I think...
Shawn uses the toilet and comes back with two observations...
1- He couldn't see how in the world a female could use the toilet as it is a metal squatter that could get quite slippery and there was no handle to hold onto-- he so graciously offered to be support for me in the event that I needed to use the facilities!
2- On the brighter side the squatting- especially when the train was moving- would be good exercise for the upcoming ski season!!
I was reluctant- but couragously attempted to use the facilities on my own- not bad at all- no sweat- I've been in worse- trust me!

Jet Lag Makes Me Feel Old
The train was scheduled to leave at 19:35, we queued up and boarded about 19:00 and were asleep before the train even left the station!! The good thing was that we were up at 4 to see the sunrise and a bit of the countryside! Beautiful!! Too many rabid dogs!! It was quite interesting to see that they manually change the tracks.

Getting there...

Leaving Tuesday 24OCT 2006
Shawn and I are soo excited to start our journey. So happy in fact that Shawn felt compelled to sing "I'm leaving on a jet plane" in its entirity to me in the morning as we prepare to leave. We got a scare though.
When we arrived at the airport and tried to check in the computer said that we needed to seek help from a counter person. So we did. Turns out, we had purchased tickets for 38 days and had no proof that we were not going to spend it all in Thailand. Apparently the Cambodia visa that we had arranged was not proof enough that we were going to leave Thailand. I felt sick. We thought that we had done everything that we needed to. After a long time typing on the computer the guy tells us that we can buy a 10 day extended visa at the Bangkok airport. Whatever!!! Shawn quickly agreed but I knew that once we got to Thailand that they would not ask us when we were leaving. Yeah!! We could proceed with our trip!!

Chicago to Narita/Tokyo 12 hour flight
They fed u 5 times during the flight!! Shawn and I talked for 7 hours straight - they even turned out the ligts to make it comfortable for sleeping but we kept on talking! There was even this flight attendant that stopped and asked us why we were so happy. Why? Why not? We thought it odd that we would be asked such a question - then of course, we were embarking on an exciting journey- away from the everyday working in America- same, same- Ahhhh!!! Wonderful to be alive!!!
When we were getting off the flight this Japanese man in front of us turned around and asked us how long had we been married? No, we are not. When do we plan to marry? No plan. Shawn and I really give off this vibe, as it was not the first time we had been questioned....hmmm....

Narita/ Tokyo to Bangkok 7 hour flight
This flight was rough to say the least. Shawn and I crased soo hard. Our legs and feet hurt, swelled, and we were tired - an indescribable feeling, Wow! Definitely the lay-over did us no god!!

Bangkok Arrival
We arrived about an hour or so early which really confused us! As we were getting off the flight this older Thai woman asked Shawn for assistance and we started to talk to her. She said to me "hold on to him tightly and don't let go! He is soo handsome!" Good Advice!! Thanks!!
We stayed in China Town the first night. Out Taxi driver was topped out at 160 kmh - the speed limit signs said the speed limit was 80 kmh!! WELCOME TO THAILAND!!


We stayed at the New Empire Hotel which was shabby but decent enough after such a flight. Shawn was really inquisitive about things- especially in the bathroom. Why is there a kitchen sink spray hose attached to the toilet? Do they do dishes in the bathroom? It is so interesting that the shower is the bathroom. Shawn is intrigued by the tile work..hehehehehe!!

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Never lose an opportunity to see anything that is beautiful.

The Plan

The plan for Shawn and I to go and travel in Thailand and Cambodia! We are extremely excited!! We do not have concrete plans as far as where we go, what we do, or where to stay but we do know that we arrive in Bangkok and then board a train for Chaing Mai. It is an overnight train and we have reserved a first class sleeper! We'll see!! We arrive inChiang Mai where we get to meet up with Jen! I am very excited to see her as she is teaching inThailand!! We have been invited to attend a friend of Jen's wedding!! Looking forward to experience a Thai wedding! Apparently Jen will be renting a traditional Thai Lanna style outfit for the occasion, and so will I!
We plan to stay in Chaiang Mai for about 2 weeks and then head to Cambodia for a few days to see Angkor Wat!! It is soo cool!
After that we will hop along the Adaman coast to many different islands! Relaxation! Yeah!! Of course we will spend a few days in Bangkok as well to see the many things and to shop the markets!!

We fly back to Chicago on 30 November =( But at that point we pack up a trailer and drive my stuff to Salt Lake City!! We plan to be there by 04 December! Then we move into the Ski Bum portion of the plan!! Shawn has a stated goal for skiing for 100 days!! WOW!! Man I'll be sore!! Ski season lasts until April - hopefully the funds will last that long as well!!

So that's the plan....just wanted to fill in some of the details!!

Ancient Buddhist Proverb

If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.

Shawn Skiing!!

I have to post these pics of Shawn skiing because it makes me very excited about the upcoming events and ski season!! Yeah!!

More Alex!!

Since I am leaving my job I thought that I should post more pictures of Alex before I lose them!!
This is last year when he was first born- actually 11 days old! How cute!

My Nephew Alex is 1!!!!

I cannot believe it but Alex ( My brother Jay and his wife Amy's) kid is going to be 1 on 10-13!!!! Isn't he adorable!! Such a little man!!!
Boy, I'm going to miss him sooo much when I am away!!

Excitement

I am getting quite excited!! Time is going soo fast!!! Shawn comes to Chicago on 10-22 and on 10-24 we fly to Bangkok!! Yea!!! I have a lot of work to do!!! It is all worth it!