Time Passes!

Can't believe I haven't posted since early Spring and now it's Fall! The year has flown by with many plans, changes in plans, new endeavors and expanded awareness.

I've gone green in even more ways than I've ever been. Jack and I went to Austin and visited Brett, Maya and Concetta Bettin Pilgrim. I had a very short camp hosting season due to missing a step when exiting my trailer and pulling a ligament. Learning more new and different technology eats up hours, days, and weeks but it is very interesting and will be rewarding.

Life is rich and I feel blessed to be health and strong enough to do the things I love to do!

I'll post again soon but for now I'll just say I have launched two e-commerce web sites and am on a steep learning curve!

My sites are Road Trip Gadgets and Gifts and Rough Green Edges . Check them out and give me any feedback you can. I'm trying to tune them up!

Hmm, I'm noticing a pattern here. I never finished the tale of my Thailand Trip - although I think of it often! In fact, I dreamed last night of the great dinner we had in Bangkok where so many of Brett and Maya's friends came and shared the evening with us. So many laughs and Brett introducing me to new foods. And then the dream shifted to another night when we stood on the roof of one of the sky-scrappers and looked out over all of Bangkok...warm breezes...and I had the wrong shoes...which was true almost the whole time I was in Thailand. They don't have size 9's in that country. It was a poor idea of mine to buy some nice shoes to go out in when I was there.

And I see that I stopped at Day 2 of our latest trip to Mexico although I think of it every day that the cold wind blows and snow filters down! I had lunch with Ava today and that the first time we've sat and talked - just the two of us - since those two glorious weeks! Our tans are fading...

And now our next trip is quickly approaching! Off to Austin to see Brett, Maya and Cetta for two weeks! I get to 'see' Cetta when we Skype but it's not like being there! Jack's stay will be short but I'm staying for 14 days!

I also am gearing up to see if I can do something with technology from home! That' going to be a long (6 month) process but I think I might make a go of it.... we'll see.

So do I pick up from the Thailand point, Mexico point or what? If I have any readers... let me know.

Monday - Day 2 In Zihuatanejo

Morning broke bright and clear. In the course of the night Jack and I figured out that the picturesque clock tower two blocks from our little 9 room hotel is a primary time piece for the village of Zihuatanejo. It dongs out the number of the hour on the hour, chimes once at quarter after, twice on the half hour, three times on the 45 minute mark and chimes three times and dongs the hour 5 minutes before the hour. You learn fast when it is going on all night long. You also get used it pretty quick. By the third night it was just another pleasant part of being in Zih.

After a leisurely walk and breakfast at La Pearl Negra Jack and I decided to hit the Mercado to get some essentials for our little closet kitchen - chiefly coffee.

We squeezed through the tightly packed market and picked up some fruit and avocado's for snacks too. The next day when I introduced Ava to the Mercado she was fascinated... it was nothing like the Commericial Grocery Store others had steered her to.

We knew Leo, Brain and Ava had a condo in the La Ropa beach area but didn't know exactly where they were and we were without a cell phone so we had to just wait until they came to us.

One of the places Jack and I wandered to was Cafe Marina on Paseo de Pescedor which I had

discovered on my very first trip to Zihuatanejo in 2000. While we sat sipping our Coca Cola Dietez and watching the people pass by we were tickled to see John and Susan, also of Klamath Falls! They joined us and we caught up on their travels and news of the others while we had

lunch together. They knew where Ava, Brian and Leo where staying and tried to describe it to us but being unfamiliar with the La Ropa Beach area it was lost on us.

Of course, Brian, Leo and Ava came by Villa Mercedes while we were out to breakfast and shopping!

When we returned to Villa Mercedes we found a note from them that we'd meet up at the 6 pm English Speaking meeting that is held across the street from the Biblioteca (Library). Well, Google Earth was a little less than helpful with that address. Jack and I spent the afternoon

locating the meeting place and then rushed back to our room to seista, shower and change before 5:30 pm.

The gang was all at the meeting at 6 pm along with about 30 other Canadians and Americans! The meeting room was packed with people even sitting on the floor. After a great meeting we all went down to Danny's on Playa (Beach) Municipal and had dinner ... literally. I slipped off my shoes and sifted sand through my feet as we ate dinner to candle, star and moonlight!

It being 9 pm and way past Jack's normal bedtime we left shortly after eating after Ava and I had made plans for her to join us at our place at 6:30 am when Brain, Leo and John were heading out for deep sea fishing.

And so another day in paradise was done!

Our Latest Mexico Vacation - Jan 23 to Feb 6 2011

I've told a lot of people I'd post details so I guess I better do so before memory fades and the routine of life at home takes over.

Jack and I actually left Klamath Falls on January 22 because we have to fly out of Medford, Oregon to use our Alaska Airlines air miles. Alaska Airlines used to fly out of Klamath Falls but that came to an end a couple of years ago when they retired the 'little' jet that flew this route. Anyway, Michelle came over Friday night and got settled in to be the house sitter/dog nanny so we were able to

make a comfortable 2 hour drive to Medford where we spent the night at Best Western.

An afternoon in Medford can easily be wiled away. We went to Barnes and Noble where Jack used his Christmas gift card from Sister Teri to by W.E.B. Griffin's latest book to read while on vacation. A trip to Macy's reveled Jack's favorite aftershave is no longer available ANYWHERE except online so he settled for Calvin Klein's Obsession. Diner consisted of good old American Black Bear hamburgers and fries. We had a date with a cabbie for 4:30 am to take us to the airport so we didn't stay up late.

At 5 AM, still somewhat drowsy, I sat with our carry-on luggage while Jack went to the airline counter to check our one and only large bag (loaded with fins, snorkels, masks, etc.) After talking with the attendant for a minute I noticed Jack turned to me with a huge grin and then turned back to the lady behind the counter. Now this could be his see-how-patient-I-can-be-in-the-face-of-frustration look which would mean something had gone haywire with our tickets, plane, or our luggage was overweight or it could be something good. I figured I'd know soon enough so I just stayed where I was.

Upgrades for two first-class seats on the 4 hour long flight from L.A. to Zihuatanejo was the reason for Jack's 90 watt smile. Our vacation was starting off really well! Even the 2 hour delay in L.A. didn't disturb our bliss.

Stepping off the plane at the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport was like stepping into summer here. We'd dressed in layers knowing that the average temperature in Zihua is 86 degrees and at 6 PM it was all of that. We peeled off the light jackets we'd worn that morning and smiled at the first time tourists who were visibly sweating by the time they'd collected their luggage and started for Immigration. Our only hic-cup came when I couldn't locate the baggage claim ticket. The officials were requiring a ticket to match to each bag before letting a person proceed to the next check point. After several minutes of rummaging through my magic-expandable travel purse and both carry-ons we located our claim ticket and we were on our way again.

Treating ourselves to a private taxi from the airport to our lodging cost $37 dollars! A pretty steep increase from 4 years ago but it was worth it not to be crammed into a station wagon with 6 or 7 other people. The ride into Zihuatanejo only takes about 15 minutes and locating Villa Mercedes was easy.

Although Romaldo wasn't fluent in English we manage to make ourselves understood and he lead us to our room. We were supposed to be in Room #9 but he set us up in Room #8 which had a balcony over the pool and garden. Jack was somewhat disappointed because he was looking forward to having a balcony over the street where he could watch people and cars but it was not a big deal. Being told we still owed the balance due was.

Always, always carry a print out of reservations, receipts and charges when traveling! Excellent advise! I had a printed copy of the email I'd received stating we were paid in full and there was a $0.00 balance due at check-in. Even with this the night clerk made several calls to the manager and it was not entirely cleared up until the next morning. Jack bowed out and let me handle the situation. We'd brought our mini HP so I went online, located the managers original email and forwarded it to him with a note we were at the Villa and had been told we still owed monies. Everyone was very gracious despite the unknowns and the issue was cleared up by morning. The manager handles several properties and had just forgotten to let the front desk know when we had paid in advance.

We were in our room and out again to get dinner by 7:30 pm.

We'd read reports of an armed robbery a block from our lodging a week previously on ZihuaRob 's Message Board (the greatest place to find out what is going on in Zihuatanejo from the people that live there or frequent it often) and we didn't want to be out walking late so we simply strolled a few blocks down Calle Adelita to Nardo's Restaurant. It being Sunday evening not many places were open on this street. We know that most of the action occurs down by the basketball court on the Paseo de Pescedor on Sunday evenings but we didn't want to go that far. Our first dinner was less than stellar but it was food and we were back in our room shortly after dark.

It having been a long day we only sat on our little balcony and enjoyed the balmy air and accordion dominated music from El Centro for a short time before retiring for the night.

We were pleased that at first glance at least Zihuatanejo was still much the same as it was 4 years ago!

Jack and Sharen Rea! On a Caribbean Cruise, scuba diving off West Palm Beach, Florida, chilling in Oregon or kicking back in Zihuatanejo, Mexico - life is good!

New Year 2011 How strange that sounds to my ears! But I am doing what I can to make this a good year. I got up and participated in the Hangover Handicap Run/Walk in Old Town Klamath Falls on New Years Day. I say participated because I did not run or even speed walk. With Jaycup on a leash I strolled, along with another non-runner, the 2.8 mile course. At one point we passed a few others and remarked we wouldn't the the last ones to finish but they all picked up their pace towards the end and I have the distinction of being the last one across the finish line. My companion for the event was a visitor to Klamath Falls so it only seemed right to let her cross before me. My time in the Sunday Herald and News is listed last (of course) as 43.37! The winners finished in 12 minutes 43 seconds. But I was out there!!!!!

2010 was possibly the busiest year I can ever remember.

Jack and I celebrated 2010 New Year's Eve in Vero Beach, Florida with Diane and Keith.

In March I went to Thailand where Brett, Maya and I spent 3 weeks going from Bangkok to Tonsai to Chaing Rai, to Laos to Chaing Mai and back to Bankok. During that time I got lost in Bangkok, suffered from heat stroke in Tonsai, fell and twisted my ankle severely in Laos. I also rode an elephant, visited all the famous sites in Bangkok, experienced a culture radically different than anything I've ever known, got to spend time with my future daughter-in-law and enjoy several wonderful Thai massages - just to mention a few of the good things that happened.

May 2010 was spent in preparation for Brett and Maya's wedding. We took our travel trailer to Zion National Park a week before their May 29th ceremony and took in the area. After the weekend celebration and a quick trip back to Oregon I took off for my summer job as a camp host in the Deschuttes National Forest.

June, July, August and up to September 12th I lived in our travel trailer at first Quinn River and then Cultus Lake with Jaycup and Shiloh and 'worked' as a camp host. I love being a camp host and the summer passed quickly. I had snow on my birthday for the first time in my life! August 31st is normally still considered summer... even in the mountains!

On September 17th I experienced the most frightening event I can remember. After a two day hospital stay and a week of paralysis on my left side my life returned to 'normal' but I was left with a deep appreciation of friends, health and mobility as well as some less desirable apprehensions.

OCTOBER 5 Concetta Bettin Pilgrim was born while I was on my way to Austin, Texas! My first grandchild! I got to spend the first 10 days of Cetta's life with her, Maya and Brett. I didn't see very much of Austin on that trip but that was fine with me. I got to see my granddaughter day and night.

On returning to Oregon I made a side trip to Pendleton, Oregon for what turned out to be my last visit with my brother. Two years ago the doctors had given him only months to live but now he was in the infirmary.

Gerald died on November 12 from liver failure. Death of a close friend and Uncle Jim followed within 30 days.

Christmas 2010 was made special by a number of things. One, Jack and I were home and got to put up our own decorations! Secondly, Mom and Teri came up from Anderson and spent several days with us which included Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was the first time since I was 19 years old that we shared a Christmas together!

Those were the highlights of 2010. I'm hoping 2011 will be less busy!

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.