The latest picture of my little granddaughter! She isn't even two and a half months and she is supporting her own weight and holding her head high! Brett and Maya got together with Maya's family for a combination Thanksgiving - Christmas which Brett called Thanksmas - and this picture was taken of Cetta with her Auntie Kate. Many thanks to Maya's cousin, Vanna for sharing the pictures of that day with me!

2010-12-15 Cettas Thanksmas

Click here to view these pictures larger

We enter in this world with nothing... and we leave with nothing. If we are lucky we have left behind good memories and are thought of fondly by those still on this earth.

Today I tearfully say goodbye to my only brother, Gerald Dean Smith. He stopped breathing last night. His life story is over. I'm sure it wasn't what he would have had it been. I wish it had of been different for him and for us as siblings. My sister, Diane, has written a very eloquent post on her blog. I can not put together anything close to her kind and loving words so I am just posting the link.

http://seaami.blogspot.com/2010/11/may-you-rest-in-peace.html

MY SUMMER.....Living in my travel trailer, being a camp host
Walking forest trails with my trusty companions
Enjoying 'refreshing' swims in the high mountain Cultus Lake when I am not working.

Life gets simple when you cut out TV, instantaneous telephone calls (a lot of times the reception is such I get a message much later than the call came in), no traffic, no restaurants, and only short interactions with people. I work, walk, read and make baby things. Life is good!

I am terribly amiss at updating this blog. I know I have only touched on all the events of my once in a lifetime trip to Thailand! I have yet to tell you about riding elephants, sleeping in tree houses in the Laos jungle and the wonder of having my lost camera returned to me in the metropolis of Chaing Mai ( much to everyone's surprise!) but that will have to come at a later time or in person.

Right now I am working as a Camp Host/Attendant in the Deschuttes National Forest along the Cascades Lakes Highway outside of Bend, Oregon. It's the easiest job I've ever had and it is not lack of free time that keeps me from posting... it's the extreme 'lay backness' of being up here. I do my rounds, read, float on the reservoir, walk trails with the dogs, or read.... whatever I feel like until it's time to do the rounds again.

Shiloh crashed and tore her shoulder up almost a month ago. She is still healing. So far I have not crashed or tore anything up on me! I am getting very tanned though! :-)

Ahh, must tell you of the random act of kindness I received yesterday..... I went in to Bend to get the oil changed on the car. While waiting in the shadeless lane, pinned in behind 2 cars with 3 more cars behind me waiting to be serviced at Oil Can Henry's in Southern Bend a man jumped out of a pickup that had stopped at the red light on the road running parallel to the OCH line, ran over to my car and handed me a $10 gift card for Oil Can Henry's! He returned to the pickup without saying a word and jumped back in just as the traffic light turned green. He was gone before I could say anything! And the card was good! So my oil change was $10 cheaper which helped to offset what I'd spent at Goodwill!

Thank you kind stranger!

Belated Mother's Day in Anderson California

I celebrated a belated Mother's Day with my 'other mother' Mom today. Judy Bland has been my only Mom since my mother passed away almost 21 years ago. Today I drove down to Anderson California, where she lives, and spent the day with her. As always I throughly enjoyed being with her. We are both Virgo's and naturally move through our day in very compatible ways!

After a beautifully sunny 2.5 hour drive down Hwy 97 and I-5 I got to sit and chat with Mom for a couple of hours before we went to Vittles and had our favorite lunch.... patty melts. From there we went to the nursery and picked out a pink clematis which I'd promised her when Aunt Margo died. I didn't send flowers for the funeral... I prefer giving a plant to my loved ones that can grow and be a memorial of the one that has passed on to the next phase of existence. We also got her Mother's Day gift... a hairy looking grass to plant in a very unique pot Friend John gave her. I'll have to get a picture of it and post it for anyone to be able to understand how that works together! Of course we looked at every plant in the nursery while we were there!

I only got to see Teri for a couple of minutes as she was dashing off to Farmington to visit with her daughter, Ryan, for the weekend but we exchanged ideas for travel arrangements to Brett's upcoming wedding in Utah and their plans to visit me at Quinn River Campground later in June.

Thank goodness for longer days! I made it back to Klamath Falls shortly after 8 pm and it was still light! The drive was extra-ordinary for me for some reason. I noticed several landmarks I'd never seen before although I've traveled that stretch of highway for 30 years now and colors just seemed especially vivid.

Maybe it was just that I had such a happy heart. I love Mom and it was good to see her in such good health and happy. There has been a great deal of sadness and worry for her lately but she is still able to enjoy a good day. Maybe I learned that from her. She certainly has been a model of stability in my life! Thank you God for all our mothers.

MOTHERS DAY 2010

Is the first one in ten years that I've spent with Brett!

He was laying in bed and told Maya he was going to call me like he has for the last 7 years that he has been overseas and then he remembered I was in the next bedroom!

So I got this lovely bouquet of roses instead! (At least partially because Maya said a phone call just would not do!)

Jack took all of us to a delicious Mother's Day Buffet brunch at Nibleys on the Green where we all ate until we were uncomfortably stuffed. The restaurant gave Maya and I each a long stemmed rose - I'm the retired Momma and she is the Momma-to-be.

Jack snapped this picture of us as we were leaving the buffet.

Once we got home I recieved calls from my other two sons wishing me a happy mothers day so my day was complete!

And then it was time for Brett and Maya to pack up their SUV for the next leg of their journey. Today it was only to Grants Pass to spend the night with friends of Brett's and then they are heading over the Coastal Mountains to hook up with Hwy 101 in Crescent City, California and go along the Pacific coast line to San Francisco.

The car top carrier and back of the vehicle were packed with the essentials and camping gear as the two will be camping in Zion for a week before Jack and I get there and two weeks before the wedding.

Brett and Maya had a week of bonding with Shiloh and Jacup so saying farewell included them as well as Jack and I! Maya is a dog lover too - which is almost an absolute requirement for anyone staying in our house for any period of time. Shiloh loved snuggling up to Maya on the couch and listening to the baby's heart beat anytime she could. Jacup warmed up to them after a few days. He is something of a one person dog - I'm his person. He tends to ignore all others and be a bit stand offish.

So now the house is back to just Jack and I. Seems rather empty.

All the projects are done and the containers stacked in the garage - waiting to go in the travel trailer after I've put all our stuff in for the trip.

My momment of feeling at loose ends came quickly to an end as 6 o'clock approached and I went to tell my story as a guest speaker at one of the local recovery treatment centers.

My life is full. I am fortunate to have family and community connections that give me a feeling of purpose and usefulness. Even with the unknowns around Dad's health, the pressures of the upcoming trip and wedding I get to ENJOY today. Life is good.

What have I been doing with my time?

Brett and Maya arrived in their sleek new-to-them ride on April 30th and the days since then have flown by.

Friday night we had a pazole dinner party with friends that doubled as a cupcake taste testing. The vegan chocolate cupcakes passed muster without any changes. Everyone was surprized that the favored mocha almond cupcakes were sugar and gluten free so they are a go - with modifications. It was decided to forgo the almonds and increase the coffee flavor. Brett has a sensitivity to nuts! I didn't know that! The angel food cupcakes were the worst. They were dry. Krista contacted a real baker (her ex-sister-in-law) for some tips on making a moister angel food cake.

Saturday we were off with my hiking group to the Rim Trail above Moore Park. It was only an hour and a half walk but everyone enjoyed it. Brett and Maya got to streach their legs after days of traveling. Then we set to the numerous wedding preparation projects!

Sunday we took in the caves at Lava Lands National Park in California. It was only an hour drive and the two caves we went through were terrific. Mushpot Cave was lit and and interpretive signs but Golden Dome Cave was not. I felt like a true spulunker! The visitor center supplied us with high powered lanterns which were a must as the floor was uneven and there was absolutally no light coming from outside. I think I'll take my bicycle helmet next time too. The ceiling were really low in some places. There are many more caves yet to explore but we wanted to take in Captain Jack's Stronghold also so we limited ourselves to two.

Among the wedding projects I packaged up the wonderful homemade jam's my sister Diane sent to be given to the international guests. Maya and Brett have hand picked the special guests to receive the blackberry, blueberry, triple berry and pear mix sweets!

And for those who wondered if Hogback Mountain was something out of Harry Potter.... here is a picture of the real Hogback Mountain that several friends and I climbed several weekends ago! The Lone Pine on the top of the mountain was our goal. Now every time we look up we can say, " I touched that tree- I own that mountain!"

Today is go through the camping gear day. Brett and Maya will be in Zion before anyone else and are going to be camping until it is time to take over the houses at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.

Jack is busy preparing the truck and our new-to-us travel trailer for our trip to Zion more towards the end of the month.

The wedding is quickly approaching and excitement levels rising! Emails are flying through the ether!

CRAZY COYOTE! I had a little excitement on my walk with the dogs today.

Since I've been home from Thailand I've been trying to keep up the habit of walking for a couple of hours each day. Although I walk a variety of places today I decided to take one of the old four-wheel drive roadways that run along the side of Hogback Mountain. After the initial 30 minute uphill section it is flat and runs across the side of the mountain which makes for easy walking and wonderful views of Klamath Falls, the lakes and Mt. Shasta. At the hour end of the walk we were high on the ridge and looking down on Old Fort Road.

For some reason I looked behind me and was surprized to see a coyote watching me and the dogs from about 50 feet higher up on the mountainside. He was about the same size as Jaycup, all grey with white fur around his eyes and yellow fur outlining his ears. I wasn't particularly alarmed but I looked around for others as friends have told me they are seldom alone and can be dangerous for dogs if there is a pack of them. Another 50 ft higher and some 60 yards back I spotted a smaller coyote making its way towards us. Scanning the rocky mountainside I could not see any others so I started walking backwards along the roadway while watching the coyote closest to us.

The coyote moved along paralell to us as if on his own path, watching me and Jaycup who was bounding around following scents in the sage brush as usual. When the coyote spotted Shiloh his ears came forward and he seemed to focus on her. Since I was taking so long to come up the roadway Shiloh had streached out in the shade of a juniper tree to wait for me. The coyote stopped directly above the tree and began making it's way down the hill towards her. Now I became a little concerned.

Calling Shiloh to me I took her ball and tossed it downhill and well ahead of where she had been lying down. Moving forward quickly to put some distance between the coyote and us I could see the wild one smelling the air and inspecting the spot our little spotted dog had been. Then he took up his trail again and trotted towards the shoulder of of the mountain.

That alone would have been enough excitement but our coyote interlude was not over.

Reaching the end of the roadway I decided to make the short scamble up to the ridge just above us to see what the view was of the other side. Jaycup and Shiloh romped up the hill faster than I did and disappeared over the top. As I crested the rise I saw Jaycup chasing the coyote through the small grassy field. They were both running flat out and were going to be out of sight in just a minute so I yelled for Jaycup to come as loud as I could. I'd also heard coyotes would lead a dog into an ambush and was afraid that might be what was going on!

Jaycup dutifully broke off the chase and peeled off to the right to return to me. The coyote immediately gave chase and as they sped between some sage bushes and rocks I heard Jaycup yelp. A moment later he was in the clear again, tail between his legs and ears flattened against his head as he made a beeline for me. The coyote paused in the open and then dug up the ground with his back feet. Declaring himself the winner?

I told Jaycup it is not a good idea to turn your back on a coyote and it didn't seem like Jaycup was any worse for the encounter but we immediately started back for the car. Periodically checking behind me to make sure the coyote wasn't following us down the mountain side I congradulated Jaycup for not getting hurt.

That was premature. It took an hour to get back to where I'd parked and by then Jaycup was limping noticably. The coyote had broken the skin on the inside of Jaycup's right leg at the elbow. A small patch of bloody fur marked the spot but he wouldn't let me see it. In the ten minutes it took for me to drive from Foothill Road to the house on Homedale I could tell Jaycup was hurting. He couldn't sit or lay down and was trying to balance on his three good legs on the seat.

After rinsing him off on the back patio I could tell there was a quarter sized wound but couldn't tell if there was muscles torn so off we went to the Vets.

Jaycup in now resting comfortably - a pain killer injection and a muzzle were needed to get him quiet enough to cut the ragged skin flap off, clean the wound and confirm no muscle or bone damage was done. Stocked with two weeks of antibiotics and pain killers I returned from my 'afternoon walk' more than a hundred bucks lighter!

Several women friends and I are supposed to hike to Lone Pine on Hogsback Mountain tomorrow. I will not be taking the dogs.

No more Hogback Mountain walks for these two dogs! Shiloh seemed totally oblivious the entire time to the presense of the coyote but then I had a ball so that isn't surprizing. The coyote was interested in her though!

February 27, 2010 - Day 4 A Day of Wat's

Brett and I spent Saturday touring the three most famous Wat's in Bangkok (Referred to as the holy trinity of Bangkok's early history)

Wat Pho (house of the Reclining Buddha)

The Reclining Buddha fills the entire building. Only a hallway around the edge if the figure remains for the people to walk around it. The soles of the feet of the Buddha are covered with mother-of-pearl depictions of the 108 different favorable lak-sa-na of a Buddha (characteristics of a Buddha). Although the core is brick covered with plaster the entire figure is finished in gold leaf!

Thailand is ornate to say the least and the Grand Palace grounds, which includes Wat Phra Kaew, is the most ornate of all. We hired a guide to take us around the grounds and tell us what we were seeing. She promptly supplied Brett with a 'proper' pair of pants - his jeans with the knees worn out did not pass muster. You'll recognized them - their dragon pants. Although it was in the 90's with about the same amount of humidity you will notice I have long pants and a sleeved shirt on. Shoulders and legs must be covered at Wat's.

Pictures of the Emerald Buddha were not allowed but the temple was full of golden buddha's surrounding the famous Emerald Buddha. It is really a single piece of carved jade not emerald and is housed so high up and behind so many other buddha statues that you can't really see the detail of the Buddha. He was wearing his multimillion dollar winter outfit. According to our guide he has three outfits, one for each season, which only royalty can handle. The Prince was coming the next day to change the emerald buddha's garb so we had come on the only day I would have been able to see the Palace grounds and the temple.

The Grand Palace is spectacular in size and splendor which is appropriate as it was the royal residence for many years. There are many more pictures of my time in Bangkok and of the different temples in my facebook 'Bangkok Feb 25-28' alblum.

Wat Arun was the oldest and most challenging of the wat's we visited. The 82 meter high prang (Khmer-style tower) is covered with mosaics made up of broken pieces of china! Back in the early 19th century, when the tower was built, ships from China that put into port here used tonnes of old, broken porcelain as ballast. They dumped the ballast when they filled their holds with merchandise. Using the multi-colored pieces the Thai's decorated almost every square inch of the Temple of Dawn.

The sound of temple bells will always remind me of Wat Arun. The wind off the river blew almost constantly and keep the bells tinkling. It added an extra fantasy quality to the temple grounds.

We climbed up the knee high steps to the balcony that goes around the tower and got to see Bangkok streaching out in all directions. It is a huge city! It was here, at Wat Arun, that I made my most useful purchase of my Thailand trip - a fan!

February 26, 2010 - Friday Day 3

Going to the Extremes in Bangkok

Maya had Mother watch on Friday. Brett had to stay home and attend to paperwork around getting enrolled in a program in Sussex, England so he and Maya can live together while she is getting her Masters Degree there. He also had to oversee the distribution of the belongings they had posted and sold over the Internet in preparation of their permanent departure from Thailand 10 days after my visit ends. Since the three of us will be traveling to different regions of Thailand for the majority of my stay the 4 days in Bangkok had to be used wisely.

So after breakfast at the little restaurant on Soi 6 Maya and I set off to participate in the refugee visit she'd asked me earlier if I would like to participate in. In anticipation of the visit I'd picked up a couple sets of jacks (a small rubber ball with 10 plastic 'jacks' that you try to sweep up between bouncing and catching the little ball.) to give to the children and use as a conversation piece. I thought we would be having lunch with them and giving them a chance to practice their English. It wasn't quite like that.

Anyway, we dash off to make the 10 a.m. sign-in time. After hoofing it to the train platforms we took two different Sky Trains in quick succession during which time Maya explains to me that we are going to the Bangkok Immigration Detention Center which is really jail for the people that have overstayed their Visa limitation. People come from countries experiencing bad economic or violent times on Tourist Visas with the hopes of gaining refugee status. Many do not get through the paperwork or are denied refugee status but they stay anyway. They have left Sri Lanka, Somalia and the other countries with no intention of returning and their home countries are aware they have filed for refugee status so returning will not be pleasant to say the least. The 'detention center' is segregated. Men and woman only see each other in the visiting area at such times that they each have a visitor. So we were going to sign in to visit a couple so they would have the opportunity to see and talk to one another...not so much us.

MOTORCYCLE TAXI

As we left the train platform Maya asked me how I felt about motorcycles. I told her I didn't have any problem with them and she explained we needed to take motorcycle taxi's to get to the Center in time. Traffic in Bangkok is intense but the motorcycle taxi's can go between cars and down streets that are to small for cars so they are the fastest way to get around. I was willing but a little uncomfortable about Maya and I splitting up and my inability to tell the driver where I wanted to go. Maya assured me she'd take care of that and she would take the second 'taxi' so she would be right behind me.

That lasted five seconds. Almost as soon as I got on behind the taxi driver and clutched him by the shoulders (I didn't want to seem to familiar with him by touching his waist) Maya's 'taxi' sped past us! As long as I could see her ahead of us it was ok but when the driver made a turn and went down a very narrow alley I was less serene. The ride was not long but I could not tell a person how many alleyways we traversed. Popping back on a main street the driver pulled over and pointed to a large building across the street - indicating that was where I was going. I paid him my 20 baht fare (maybe 65 cents) and he was gone. I looked up and down the street - both sides - no Maya.

I decided to cross the street and stand right next to the sign on the wall that did say Immigration and Detention Center in English. I was at the right place but maybe not the right entrance. There were no other non-Thai people in sight. Breathing deeply I resolved to stay right there until....I was arrested for loitering if necessary. Maya would find me...I just knew she would. I didn't know how to say Brett and Maya's address but Maya had written it, in Thai, in my little blue book that I had in my purse so I could flag down a taxi (not a motorcycle taxi!) and show him the page if I had to get home alone. Thank goodness for Maya's foresight!

Only a few minutes passed but it seemed like half and hour before I heard Maya's sweet voice saying, "There you are!" We were equally relieved! "I was having visions of having to tell Brett I lost his mother!" Maya wailed. As it turns out, my motorcycle taxi driver had driven incredibly slow - probably because I had his shoulders in a death grip - and Maya had been dropped off by her taxi several minutes before. She thought that I may have been dropped off at the corner or another entrance so she went looking for me and became more distressed with every passing minute.

Together, and not to be parted again, we proceeded to the check-in area.

DETENTION CENTER

An American named Becky was the organizer for the visitation and 14 people from all walks of life and many different countries were there to participate this Friday. The family Maya and I 'visited' where picked up for overstaying their Visa's in October. They had only the clothes they were wearing when they were picked up but they were grateful their two sons were with them at the time. Sometimes the parents are picked up and the children are not - creating additional distress to the situation as the children are left to depend on the charity of those around them when that happens. Maya had shopped quickly after we found out who we were visiting so we had gifts of meat, writing utensils, toiletries, sweets and my jacks for the kids that they would get after we left. The detention center supplies rice and vegetables period.

The visiting area was two open areas separated by chain link fences with a two foot gap between the two. Conversations had to be somewhat shouted back and forth. After visiting for a few minutes - they were from Sri Lanka and could speak English although so heavily accented I could not follow what they were saying- we indicated the packages that were for them and left so they could spend the rest of the visiting time with each other. They were very grateful for the items and for us coming. I pray for them - they could be there for up to two years and then still deported. I am glad my future daughter knew of such a good thing for us to do!

PARKS AND PAMPERING

In contrast to the bleakness we just left Maya and I stopped at the Life Center Shopping Mall and had cheese cake and iced mocha's on our way to spend a couple hours at a spa where I was going to experience a deluxe Thai massage.

During our coffee stop Maya and I got to know each other better by sharing about our families, past experiences and future plans. It was the best chat Maya and I had the entire trip!

Leaving the Mall we entered Lumphini Park. It is a beautiful park with two lakes and walking paths winding throughout. Maya told me this is where Brett usually ran when they lived in this part of Bangkok. We watched a man using two poles lashed together to reach the high branches of one of the trees to pull off some kind of pod. He offered us several of the pods and demonstrated how to eat the large white pea-like seeds inside. Each orb had a black seed inside it. Maya thanked him and we continued on our way munching the gift. They were not sweet but did not taste bad. Shortly afterward I broke out in a coughing fit that brought tears to my eyes and left me light headed. Sitting on a park bench I struggled to get my composure back and stop coughing. Offering me water Maya earnestly started questioning me, "Is your throat closing up?". After a few sips of water I was able to let her know I think they just got caught in my throat. We discussed the questionable wisdom of our eating unknown fruit plucked from a tree in a park and given to us by a stranger. We still do not know what it was we ate!

Another sky train ride and we were in the more touristy area of Sukhumvit Road where we walked to Relax @ 24 Spa. Two hours later we emerged from the spa in a post massage daze and wandered back towards the train station. Our two hour pampering cost about $55 each! I was called 'Madame' and treated so royally I felt uncomfortable! But it was wonderful.

When we'd nearly reached the train platform I realized I'd forgotten my watch at the Spa. Maya suggested we return to get it but she was unaware of the growing blister on the bottom of my foot. I assured her I would not miss my $19 Timex watch and insisted we NOT walk the 10 blocks back.

Since finding the spa and getting our massages had taken longer than we expected it was now nearly 5 pm. Both of us were hungry so we decided to go to a soup vendor across the street to get a bowl of soup to tide us over until dinner.

I gave Maya 'rush' number three for the day when I stepped out into the street in front of a motorbike. Mind you, I'd been watching Brett and Maya step out in front of cars, trucks and buses so I thought a motorbike was of no consequence. Grabbing my arm Maya jerked me back to the sidewalk with the instruction to NEVER step out in front of a motorcycle. Ok, Rule #1 was established.

Rule #2 came shortly afterward. Our noodle soup was delivered to us and an array of spices offered. Not knowing what to do I watched Maya and copied her choices. Five spoonfuls of the soup was all I could eat. Rule #2 - Do not spice food like Maya does. She likes everything SPICY.

The ride back home on the Sky Train was during rush hour and it was amazing. There was no shoving or pushing or nasty attitudes. The river of humanity poured in and out of the trains smoothly and peacefully.

STRAY DOGS

After a shower (you take at least two a day in Bangkok) Maya and I set off to meet Brett for dinner with some of Brett and Maya's friends at one of their favorite restaurants, Pla Dip.

During our walk to the one of the main roads where we could catch an auto taxi I witnessed how well Thai's treat stray dogs! Along the edge of the roadway, beneath a highway overpass, we passed several squares of white paper heaped with a mixture of rice and dry dog food. Several stray dogs were already eating their dinner but there was enough for many more. The only skinny dogs in Bangkok are old, sick ones ready to expire.

DINNER AT PLA DIP

What an extravaganza! We had duck con feti, real sushi, soft shelled crabs, wasabe mashed potatoes, chicken and pitchers of beer and water! Brett insisted I taste everything and I did! I really liked the duck and the wasabe mashed potatoes. I surprised myself and liked the soft shelled crab also!

It was a great treat to meet so many of Brett and Maya's friends! The infamous Marcus, Brett's best friend, was charming and not nearly as wild as I had imagined he would be. His lovely wife, Pascal, was tolerant of yet another night out. They had had company for a week and she had hoped for a night at home but they came out for "Brett's Mom's Dinner Party". Turned out Brett's co-worker, Steve, was from Reisterstown, Maryland - where I lived and went to high school! To meet the first person from that area since I'd left 34 years ago at a dinner party in Bangkok, Thailand was incredible. I caught up on what was still standing and what had changed in the three decades I'd been gone. All their friends are articulate, fun-loving people and I had a wonderful times chatting with them all. Maya and I shared our adventures of the day which kept everyone in stitches.

Our night ended after midnight again!

Thursday - Day 2 in Bangkok (con't)

I absolutely do not understand why they outlawed the fish foot spas in the US.

Seems like it is a win-win deal!

It was a nice way to treat your feet after walking on the hot streets of Bangkok!

We went on to purchase the tickets to the most awesome theatrical show I've seen since seeing The Phantom of the Opera in San Francisco many years ago!

One of the things I really wanted to see while in Thailand was traditional Thai dancing. I had read in the Lonely Planet Thailand book about a demonstration given at one of the temples but Brett and Maya treated me to Siam Niramit! We could not take pictures of the production but some of the actors were available to pose for pictures afterward which is what you see here. These are full grown Thai dancers! You can understand why I didn't find much in the way of clothes I could buy in Thailand!

The show itself was wonderful. Three 'acts' contained all the types of Thai dancing I'd seen in the movies, on the internet and read about. The costumes were beyond description and the elegance of the dancers spellbinding. If a person knows the legends, myths and history of Thailand I am sure it would be even more meaningful but the pageantry was spectacular enough to mesmerize a farang like me. The scale of the show is epitomized by elephants, decked out in full royal regalia and carrying the "Princess and Prince" walked through the wide isle between the upper and lower decks of seats as part of a royal procession. Special effects were incredible.

The link for Siam Niramit takes a minute or so to load but you will get a real glimpse of what the show is like for your patience! Be sure to have your speakers on ... but not to high!

The three of us also toured the "village" area and Maya said they were pretty accurate reconstructions of the different hill tribe architecture. I saw my first little rice pattie there!

The night was magical for me. I am very grateful Brett and Maya knew to take me to see it!

Thursday night ended with a comfortable taxi ride back to our garden spot between Soi 4 and Soi 6.

It was a spectacular full first day in Thailand.

Thursday - Day 2 Bangkok Hospital

After a great nights sleep and coffee in the garden Brett and Maya introduced me to their 'soi'. A soi is a small street off a large multi-laned street. Usually only a car and a half wide and lined with parked cars, street vendor carts, restaurants and shops a soi serves wheeled and foot traffic. Brett and Maya's place was flanked by Soi 4 and Soi 6 off Ratchawiti Road. Soi 6 had all the shops and restaurants on it so that is the one we accessed the main roads from the most often.

This bright and warm morning we strolled the block or so down the soi to their usual breakfast restaurant. It has no name - you just know where it is. After placing our order we settled in the eating area set behind the open air cooking area and watched what Maya assured me is really bad Thai TV until our breakfast was served. I went with the egg and pork omelet which was served over rice to ease myself into Thai cuisine.

True to my promise to Jack and my doctor we set off to get my last of the series of three hepatitis vaccinations I was supposed to get as soon as I got to Bangkok. Our planned destination was the Travelers Clinic next to the nearby hospital. I gamely followed Brett and Maya as they threaded their way through the crowds along the streets and then on the elevated

walkways that allow people to move from the sky train platforms to the various streets without impeding the wheeled traffic on the streets. Since Victory Monument is not a tourist area of Bangkok very few signs are written in English so I had to be told the large white building complex we were entering was the hospital.

In a large reception type area rimmed with windowed offices Maya explained at the information desk that I needed to get my last hepatitis vaccination and I was inducted into the Thai medical system. Moving from station to station went pretty smooth until it was discovered that I'd been mistakenly listed as Mr. Sharen Rea. That got me shuffled back to the records area for a re-do. As I was sitting and waiting to be called for further processing I was amazed at the number and variety of Thai's preparing to travel. There were some very old and some less than healthy folks waiting for their travel shots. When a nurse in a 1950's style nurse uniform beckoned me to come forward I figure they'd take me in the little room and give me my shot so I went in without Brett or Maya. That only lasted a minute. A woman sitting at a small writing table began asking me questions - I think. She looked at me - I looked at her. Then I went to the door and beckoned Brett and Maya to join me.... they were smiling at me when I opened the door - I think they had a bet on how long it would take for be to be back in the doorway.

Maya explained the situation. The two had a nice discussion. We three were directed back out of that closet and directed to go to another window to pay. That done we were directed to go to the Pharmacy window. Brett, Maya and I became a little concerned. Was I going to be given a shot through the pharmacy window? Had there been a misunderstanding and I going to be give the treatment for hepatitis instead of a vaccination? Were hep vaccines self administered in Thailand? I was waived to the window. We were the only farangs in the reception area so I guess they knew who we were and I was handed a small vial with a clear liquid in a plastic bag. Hmmm.

Maya asked a question and the guy at the counter pointed down another hall. So off we went in that direction and there was another nurses station. She had needles! Good! None of us wanted to give me a shot! Two hours had lapsed when we emerged from the clinic. Maya told me I could keep my hospital card as a keepsake - which was when I found out we had not been able to find the Travelers Clinic listed on the internet and went to the regular hospital for my shot. So all those people weren't travelers getting travel vaccinations - they were every day Thai's in the walk-in clinic! This was only the first of many instances where I found myself clueless as to the details of the situation!

With the must-do done we set off to see the Chao Phraya River by water taxi. My second meal in Thailand was at an American restaurant called Rick's which wasn't very exotic but the fish foot spa that followed was! The little fish swarmed one foot and then the other for a ticklish 15 minutes!

THAILAND HERE I COME!

Dressed in my 'warm' garb for the Medford to Portland segment of my journey to the Far East I took off on schedule from the recently remodeled Medford Airport for the short hop North to Portland, Oregon.

Mike picked me and my bags up and we swung by Carl's Jr. to pick up hamburgers for dinner at the house. As Caleb dug into his hamburger he cheerfully encouraged me to enjoy my last taste of anything other than fish and rice for the next three weeks. BOY WAS HE WRONG!

The flight from Portland to Seattle was short, sweet and uneventful. I've learned all the things you can not carry and what shoes not to wear when you will be going through airport security so I went right on through every check point without a hicup.

By pure chance I had selected seat 39B on the big transcontinental Korean Air jet. What a great seat! The flight attendant seemed concerned that I might not want to be by the bathroom but the trade off was only having one person sitting beside me during the 10.5 hour flight into Seoul, Korea. The ride was bumpy but I still managed to sleep awhile and the rest of the time was taken up with movies and eating. They do feed you on the international flights - and feed you well. My concerns about being offered only Korean food were completely unfounded.

I did get what I thought was yogurt on my breakfast tray - but it wasn't. I watched others and they put a soy sauce looking dressing in it and seemed to enjoy it. I tried but the taste didn't appeal. That was my experimental food for the day. I am determined to give atleast one new thing per day a try!

Seoul to Bangkok flight seemed to be really short and I was in Bangkok, through customs and imigration in no time. Then I was lost.

The Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand is new, extremely functional and traveler friendly until you get on the other side of Customs. Then you are facing a blank white wall with no obvious exits. Watching others I noticed people went to the far end of the wall on either end and disappeared around the edge. Left or Right? I went left because it was closer.

On the other side of the wall was a short maze like hall with a couple of switchbacks and then you were in a huge open area filled with people moving along with purpose. In front of me was a set of revolving doors that obviously lead to the outdoors and waiting taxis but I really wanted to be with Brett and Maya before I left the securty of the airport so I looked over every sign in sight (none of which were in English) for a hint of where to go from this point. Over head there was one small sign with an arrow indicating that down the corridor to my right was the Meeting Area. Since it was the only English option I went down the corridor while scanning the crowd for Brett or Maya.

After what seemed like a very long walk and no sight of a 'Meeting Area' I was beginning to consider returning to my starting point and looking for other options when I heard "SHAREN". Not to be egotistical or anything but I figured that must mean me so I immediately stopped and looked around. On the far right side of the corridor, on the other side of a red ribboned off area I caught sight of Maya's lovely face and Brett's wonderful grin! Awww, they did come for me!

There had been some concern on my part about what day I was actually arriving in Thailand - the international date line came into play somewhere around Japanese air space which threw me 15 hours ahead in time. So although I left on Tuesday I was arriving in Thailand after 11 pm on Wednesday night. Or so Brett assured me and he was right. I was in Tuesday but Wednesday in Bangkok was over before we got to their place.

Brett and Maya were both rather impressed with my economy of luggage. Because I didn't have to pick up baggage I guess I ended up not going out the exit they were watching for me from and I was on the other side of the red tape! We worked our way down until we came to an area where I could 'cross over' and I got big hugs from Brett and Maya before we went in search of a taxi.

Bangkok at night is like driving through Los Angeles except I could not read any of the street signs! Highrises, four lane freeway full of fast moving cars, stores open and lots of people out and about on the sidewalks even though it was after Midnight and it was a Wednesday night.

Victory Monument is a tall Washington Monument looking tower - well-lit and impressive in the middle of a large round about. Brett pointed out that if I got lost if I could get to Victory Monument I'd be able to find the house. As if I was going ANYWHERE with out them, ha! Within minutes of being in Bangkok I was sufficiently aware I was totally out of my element.

Brett and Maya had made arrangements for me to stay in one of their landlords two guesthouse rooms. It was spacious and a charming blend of new and old. I loved it immediately. The landlady's dog, though, did not take to me at all! Something that didn't change in the following four days. I don't think I smelled 'right' to him!

So after what seemed like a long day to me but was actually two days I said good night to the young ones and went to quickly to sleep in my princess suite!

READY, SET TO GO! My two little bags are packed to the max. I have all my money (dollars and baht), drivers license, passport, divers certification card and credit cards in my money belt. Disposable paperback books tucked in my bag. And it's 2:30 PM. Can't print my boarding passes for my Medford to Portland leg of the trip until after 5:30 today.

So I'm letting you all know I will be incomuticato for the next three weeks after this post. I'm not even taking a cell phone! Traveling light - but bright - my LL Bean backpack is as bright pink as one can get! Thanks to my sis I also have one of those neat little suitcases with wheels and a extendable handle - it is a modest navy blue but I've added a neon orange tag with my name on it and a salmon pink ribbon. I will be able to spot my "stuff" anywhere!

Woke up to 20 degrees this morning to the 90 degree weather in Bangkok is going to be something of a system shock. The low's at night in Thailand are running between 60 and 70 degrees! Dressing for the trip is a bit of a challenge! Sandles, capri's, light blouse, sweatshirt (which will be left in Portland for the return trip) in Oregon's winter weather may look a bit odd tomorrow but I don't want to pack anything I won't need for my 27 hours of travel!

Just think - in two days I will be in Thailand! WOW! I am going to try not to leave my mouth hanging open in awe! Brett has assured me it is going to be like nothing else I've ever experienced! I'll be keeping a journal and taking pictures so you'll get my veiw of Thailand when I get home!

Until then, take care of yourselves my loved ones! I'll think of you as I travel!

Thailand "Plans" - and we all know what can happen with plans!

But here are the dates that Brett, Maya and I have already bought tickets or made reservations for and the links to those that have them (as was requested by loved ones here at home!)

Feb. 22rd - Monday - I fly from Medford to Portland and spend the night at Caleb and Mike's. (I'll see plenty of hotels in the next few months and seldom get to spend time with my son's!)

Feb 23rd - Tuesday -8:30 am I will be at the airport for my 10:30 am Horizon Air flight from Portland to Seattle and there I get on Korean Air at 1 pm to make the long flight overseas. I arrive in Seoul Incheon International Airport at 5:35 pm although the flight is 11 1/2 hours long --in other words it is going to be the longest 4 1/2 hours in MY life. The final leg starts at 7:20 pm when I board the Korean Air flight to Bangkok - which is another 2,281 air miles (6 hours) and I arrive in Suvarnabhumi Inernational Airport outside Bangkok at 11:10 pm on Tuesday night. Plum amazing! My total airtime will be 21 hours and 40 minutes! And I will have traveled 7,610 miles in that short time!

I will be staying in the Victory Monument area of Bangkok, Thailand for my 5 days there. Brett and Maya's place is 40 seconds away according to Brett! :-)

Feb. 24th - Wednesday - WHEN I wake up we will be off to get my final shots so I'll be protected from Hepititus and Japanese Encephilitus and whatever else Maya has for us to do that day...I'm sure it will all be awesome to me! We will be in Bangkok for 5 days - items I'd like to see are The Oriental Hotel/and "the river", the flower mart, have a converastional afternoon with refugees, see where Brett has worked, try a thai massage, see traditional thai dancing, visit the Ancient City, and visit the famous Emerald Buddha and whatever else catches my eye! :-)

Feb. 28th - Sunday Evening - we fly from Bangkok to Krabi airport in Southern Thailand where we will be staying at Tonsai Beach which is within walking distance of Railey in Krabi Providence. There we will be splashing in the ocean, I will watch Brett and Maya climb (if I can) the huge limestone walls, sea kayak and I hope to get in a two tank scuba dive!

March 7 - Sunday Evening - we fly back to Bangkok to spend one night in the big city again.

March 8 - Monday - we fly to Chiang Rai airport in Northern Thailand. From here we plan on seeing the famous temples in Chiang Mai, the mountain town of Pai, Mae Hong Son (where Maya often worked). We are going to do atleast some of this on scooters! (I got a little practice in on one in the Caribbean you remember?)

March 10 - Wednesday - Chiang Rai- We have reservations at the lovely Mirror Art Guest House before we head off to Laos

March 11 - Thursday - We will be catching the early bus to the Thailand/Laos border town where we will take a ferry boat across the Mekong River to Houayxay (pronounced "way sigh"), Laos so we can check in at the Gibbon Experience office before 7 pm in preparation for our 3 day 2 night adventure . We will spend the night somewhere in Houayxay - it only has one main street. Here is a link to a woman's travel tale that has done this already- Waterfall Gibbon Experience- Best three days ever - I'll let you know if I have the same experience!

March 12 - Friday - We will be driven to Baan Toup village and then we hike into the Bokeo Nam Kan National Park - along the Nam Nga Valley to spend two nights in tree houses 300 feet in the canopy that are accessed by zip lines.

March 14 - Sunday - Return from the jungle and Laos the way we came and stay at the Banilah Guest House in Chaing Mai for two nights.

March 16 - Monday - flying into the Bangkok Int. Airport from Northern Thailand. We will have dinner there together and I board my Korean Air flight shortly before 1 am on March 17th to begin my trek back to the U.S.

March 17 - Tuesday - 8:15 am I'll be at the Seoul Incheon International airport where I will people watch, read, eat, crochet and entertain myself for the next 10 hours. I did this to myself so I will not complain. At 6:20 pm I will leave Seoul, Korea and arrifve in Seattle at Noon on the same Tuesday. My Horizon flight leaves Seattle at 2 pm and I arrive at Portland about 3 pm. I am hoping Caleb will be there to take me to his house where I will spend the real night.

March 18 - Wednesday - I'll be back at the Portland Airport at 2 pm for my 4 pm flight to Medford. It lands at 5 pm and Jack, my loving husband, will be there to pick me up and drive us home to Klamath Falls.

I think I will be tired so I am not planning on doing much for a few days once I get home but you never know... :-P

We are back in Klamath Falls! In fact we've been back since about January 11th! We have just been busy little bees and blogging got squeezed out. Here's a quick update for anyone curious about what's happened since the Loxahatchee River Trip!

Diane and I had a Bingo Night, had a couple of girl's days out and went to the Gaylord Resort in Orlando together before we all flew back to Oregon - Diane and Keith to see to the repair of their Coos Bay house - Jack and I back to our house in Klamath Falls.

The new bamboo flooring was in but the house had to be put back together. Furniture put back in correct rooms, rugs purchased and put down, all the surfaces in the whole house wiped down as the fine saw dust had floated everywhere, and then we unpacked from our two month trip! These things took a few days to accomplish!

Then I kept looking at the walls....dingy white with scuff marks and settling cracks. And I started collecting paint chips... Shortly afterward I had a discussion with a professional painter we know and since he wasn't busy he gave us a heck of a price on painting the whole interior and making the little repairs that needed done to boot. My sweetie seldom tells me "No" and he didn't this time either. So our home is now colorized!

It took a little longer than we estimated to get the project completed because I came down with a flu - rotten little buggers got me on the plane home I suspect. Anyway, we moved everything to the center of the rooms and then I went to bed sick. The house was torn up for a good 10 days with our painter being very thoughtful and taking a break for 4 days when I was the sickest. Moving the furniture around was hard on both Jack and I as his back was all bound up to the point he was going to the chiropractor and finally to the Dr. for medication to undo the muscle spasms and I would break out in coughing fits if I excerted myself very much! But we got it done!

I am all but done with the coughing, hacking horrible crud and Jack's back is getting better. All this is very good since I am leaving on this coming Monday for my long awaited, planned for, and anticipated 3 week trip to Thailand!!!