I'm dreaming of. . .

Mango
Papaya
Pineapple
Guava
Mangosteen
Rambutan
Lychee
Dragon Fruit

Fresh, cold, cut for 30 cents, all in a bag with a stick so you can eat it while walking.

Violence in Bangkok

All those pictures of violence in Bangkok are places I walked peacefully with thousands of people just a few months ago. Where much of the violence is taking place is within just a few kilometers of where I lived, ran, shopped, walked and socialized. Just five weeks ago, Harry was there and saw these places where there were peaceful protests.

It is sad to see that violence has prevailed over peace. That the world media is only now covering the violence and not the peaceful protests or the core issues that Thailand faces. Now that the US media is covering it, people ask about the "reds". They don't even know about the yellow shirts, let alone the pink shirts and white shirts. They think the King is just not doing his job, but they don't know he is close to death in the hospital. They don't know the long standing issues and how the country is divided.

Media perpetuates violence.

I am glad we left when we did. A good friend from the program I was in is still in Bangkok and was interviewed on BBC go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8684581.stm

What I missed about home . . .

Since I arrived back in Petoskey, a common question I get is "what did you miss about home". First and foremost would be my dog and then of course my family (sorry family, Hannah wins out. . .). But besides dog and family, the top 10 things I missed about home are:

10.Drinking Fountains
9. Free public toilets
8. Bagels
7. Big green salads
6. First Spring bike rides
5. Bathrooms with soap
4. Bathrooms with hand towels
3. Bathrooms with toilet paper
2. Drinking water out of the tap
1. Endless cups of coffee

Culture Shock

Home. Wow, after four months here I am at home.

Some immediate observations:
1. It is so quiet. Incredibly quiet in Petoskey. (no honking cars, people asking you buy something or go for a tuk tuk ride, no loud music, and no roosters).
2. Cars stop for pedestrians in a cross walk. Now isn't this incredible? What a concept and what a wonderful thing about small town America.
3. You have to think about what to cook before you are hungry. Hmmm, I just can't eat at a food stall when I feel the need to eat? I actually have to think about it. Hence, dinner has been a bit late the last few days.
4. Daylight. Wow, I forgot how much of it there is at this time of year. Near the equator you basically have the same amount of daylight all year round, with only maybe an hour fluctuation. So the whole time I was in Asia, the sunset around six in the evening. It isn't dark here until after 8 right now (and by the end of June it will be after 10). My timing is all off and combined with jetlag, I don't know when to eat or sleep.
5. You have to drive to a store to get food and things. No shopping on the street.
6. The temperature outside of 42 degrees is not Celsius, but Fahrenheit.

Did I mention how quiet it is?
All good. All very good.
Glad to be home.

A funny sign

Toilet Sign
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

This is a fairly typical sign in a bathroom stall in Asia, if it has a western style toilet. Thought some folks might find it humorous. (BTW, most all bathrooms in Asia have a butt hose, which is what the sign refers, it is not a shower).

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples are incredible. The most famous being Angkor Wat but there are hundreds more to see. This area was just amazing. In my opinion a must see place in the world. The temples and other building to see are all very, very different, built between the 9th and 12th centuries with a mix of Hindu and Buddism influences. The detail work is incredible and the 400 year old trees growing in them is just amazing. Click on the photo to find a few more pictures from the Angkor area.

Siem Reap, Cambodia is the modern city that you stay in to visit Angkor Wat.

Mountains of Laos

Mountains of Laos
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

The mountains of Laos are beautiful and enchanting. We spent a few days in the tourist hub of Vang Vieng, enjoying some hiking, caving, biking and kayaking. We then went south to the laid back capital, Vientiene with temples, cafes and riverside dining.

Kuang Si Waterfall

Kuang Si Waterfall
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

A nice respite from the heat, Harry and I went to this waterfall to get away from the heat. AWESOME!

Slow Boat to Luang Prabang

Mekong River sunset
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

After the Gibbon Experience, we took a TWO day slow boat down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang. We stopped for the night in a small riverside community. I thought I would hate this trip, but it was quite relaxing and we could read and enjoy the scenery (in contrast to buses where it is impossible to read as the roads are super winding and twisty and rough). After two days on the boat we were thrilled to be in Luang Prabang. A beautiful city and with French influence; there was good coffee and pastries, temples, and great architecture.

Into Laos

Treehouse 7
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

After crossing the Mekong River from Chiang Khong, Thailand to Houey Xai, Laos on a small boat, we registered for the gibbon experience.The next day we drove to the Bokeo National Park and hiked in about 1 hour where we received our harnesses. We walked and "zipped" our way for another hour to our home for two nights. . .treehouse #7. It was a treehouse, yes, 40 to 50 meters in the air. Just spectacular. We saw gibbons our first morning and heard them sing our second morning. We hiked and zipped through the forest for three days. Just amazing, a highlight of the trip.

BTW: you don't pronounce the "s" in Laos.

Bottle Beach Resort

Bottle Beach Resort
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

Harry and I have spent the last four days at Bottle Beach, a secluded beach on the north coast of Koh Pha Ngan in the Gulf of Thailand. It was hard to get to (18 hours to be exact) but well worth it. We haven't moved much since we arrived. Swim, walk, read, eat, sleep, repeat. We talked about going to one of the towns on the island by long boat taxi, but decided why bother, it is so nice here, no hassles.

Swim, walk, read, eat, sleep. Repeat.

E & H on the River Kwai

E & H on the River Kwai
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

After leaving Bangkok and the Red Shirts, Harry and I went to Kanchanaburi for three days. This town is directly on the River Kwai, known famous from the movie, the Bridge of the River Kwai. It is the main town along the "death railway" that prisoners of war in WW 2 were made to build by the Japanese. Lots of WW 2 history. Also in the area are many national parks, we went to one and climbed the seven steps of Erawan Falls and swam in three of the steps. It was really, really hot!! Like unbelievably hot.

Harry's first Pad Thai (in Thailand)

Harry's first Pad Thai (in Thailand)
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

On Harry's second day after touring the Grand Palace, we went to a typical street vendor to get his first Pad Thai in Thailand. Pad Thai is his favorite dish! He loved it. You can see the woman in the hat behind him is making it.

The day included Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun (my favorite), Thai Massage and river boat ride. Typical first tourist day in Thailand.

Harry Arrives; More Red Shirts

DSC03048
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

Harry arrived safely early this morning. He is here just in time for more Red Shirt rallys. They are now rallying near campus in the midst of the mega shopping mall area nearby. This has closed down one of Thailand's biggest industries. . . shopping. In addition, campus has been in lock down mode again since friday. It is interesting to see how they do it, they just, in mass, park in the middle of the road so no one can move. They have been there for over 24 hours now. Might get interesting . . . Harry and I will leave Bangkok Tuesday and hopefully by the time we return in a month things will have settled.

Graduation!

DSC03018
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

Can't believe it but we graduated with our certificates in Peace and Conflict Resolution just two nights ago. It was a long evening with our group presentations before speeches and graduation. Our group, Suhail, Darren, Tazeen, Dominos and myself developed a role play based on a case study we learned about in Northern Thailand. The role play is for high school students and adults to learn about peaceful solutions to conflict.

Our presentation was a short skit demonstrating how a role play might play out. We had some drama in our group, but in the end we all did a great job!

Fish Pedicure

DSC02987
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

My friend Susan who is a fish biologist took me for my first fish pedicure. What is that? You guessed it, you put your feet in a tank full of fish and they suck the dead skin off of them. It seems to be a Thai thing. Very wierd, but an interesting experience.

Thai Cooking Class

DSC02972
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

My Rotary Host counselor invited me to her house a few weeks ago and taught me some Thai Cooking. It was a great day.We made from top to bottom Son in-laws eggs, Papaya Salad, Sour Red Curry and Minced Pork with Holy Basil.

Home Stretch

Just a week left of the program, seems impossible really. We only have a day and half of classes this week, but lots of work to get done between now and then including papers and a group project.

It is getting sad as our group will seperate next saturday and most likely never be "one" again.

Unfortunately since we got back from Nepal I have had food poisoning. I haven't really eaten much in a week and feel drained and exhausted. Hopefully I will be fully recovered for our farewell parties and Harry's arrival.

Dogs of Chula

There are dogs all over the Chulalongkorn University Campus. They just hang out. They don't bother you but we were told not to pet them as they aren't used to it. They are healthy, someone feeds them. There are hundreds. They sleep in shady cool places like in all the buildings and grounds. My favorite is the one who sleeps on this table all the time.

Can you tell, I miss Hannah, the wonder dog. (She really isn't into skype.)

Rhinos and more

Chitwan National Park (7)
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

We did get to do a few things besides sit in meetings while in Nepal. We rode elephants into Chitwan National Park to see the Great One Horned Rhino. We saw eight! Plus two kinds of monkeys, three kinds of deer, crocodile, and lots of birds. The Rhinos are very interesting looking, almost archaic.

We hiked to a nice viewpoint in Pokhara to see the sunrise over the mountains. It was beautiful to see the mountains light up. Seeing the mountains made me want to be hiking in them, rather than just looking at them.

I also went for a bike ride with two friends in Pokhara after our classwork. We were all so happy getting out of town riding along the lake. About 6 or so kilometers out I knew something was wrong with by bike and gears. The next thing I knew I heard a noise and came to a halt. I thought the chain was caught. But beyond by belief the derailleur and chain broke in half! What to do. I told my friends to keep riding and I would walk back. But they came with me. We walked about 10 or 15 minutes to a lakeside restaurant. Drank beer and watched the sunset. We went out to walk home and a tractor pulling a huge trailer came by. We flagged them down, loaded all three of our bikes in the trailer and we rode back into town on the tractor! Pretty funny site.