Old Emails from SE Asia... October 2007

Hey all!

So I'm thoroughly aware that group emails are lame. But you guys would never hear from me if I didn't do them. So here's what's going on so far:

We arrived in Bangkok after 22 hours of traveling. I managed to sleep for about 11 hours of the first 13 hour flight so we haven't been as jetlagged as I would have thought. We're not quite used the time change yet, seeing that we were up, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 5am yesterday and 6:30am today. Bangkok is definitely an intense city. It's really busy, touristy and polluted. I'm excited to take off and get to a smaller city. Yesterday a Thai gentleman helped us out a ton. He drew us a map of the temples we should see, the boat tour we should take, and even flagged down a tuk tuk driver and convinced him to take us on this 3 hour tour for 60 baht (less than $2US). He would drive us to the temples and wait for us and everything. We have met some really nice people here that have helped us out. Others... not so much. That's what you tend to find in huge cities though. We were also blessed by a Buddhist monk yesterday and he gave us bracelets for good luck. I hope that will ease my mother's mind. :)

We have already aquired a traveling buddy. His name is Jim, a 50 year-oldfather from Saskatoon, Sasquatuan. We met him at the Sf airport, played crazy rummy (yes, crazy rummy is going global) for four hours in the Taipei airport and found the hostel in Bangkok. We have toured around Bangkok and played lots of crazy rummy and drinking a fair amount of Chang (you can get 40s for 45 baht/$1.50). We are parting ways tonight so our trio will be over. He's moving through SE Asia and then to South Africa. He's on a 7 month paid leave from work... Canada, how we need to go back.

We have met some interesting people so far. We met two Vietnam vets at breakfast this morning who live in Oregon. One, called Wolf has been traveling for 7 years and has only returned 3 times, for: the Country Fair. He also knows Frog really well. Ironically, Therese' had Frog's recycled joke book with her. Makes you realize how small the world really is. So we are off tonight on a 15 hour bus ride to Vientienne, the capital of Laos. We are looking forward to a smaller city and different scene. After that is most likely Luang Prabang. I'm sure the bugs and the humidity will follow us there. I think that mosquitos are fond of blonde girls. :( I however, are not so fond of them.

Alright, I'm not sure the next time I'll write so I hope all is well with everyone. Miss you all and take care. I'll be safe (the only thing I hear from everyone, other than eat lots of food). Besides, I have a monk's blessing...

Peace and Love kids,

Bobbi

ps. I know my mom is dying to hear this: I have eaten pad thai three times, green curry and some kind of thai soup. The curry here, even in the hostel cafe , is far superior to any I've had in the US... I may not be recognizable when I get back. And the pinneapple is amazing. :)