January_20

Hello everyone!
We left Chaing Mai about a week ago already, by local bus which was jam packed. We went to the bus station the day before we wanted to leave to buy our ticket to be told to come back tomorrow, no reserved tickets. We arrived at 8:15am for the 9:00am bus, knowing full well the bus would most likely depart sometime before noon. Time and schedules here are approximate at best, which at first was difficult to get used to, but now we go with the flow. Anyway, when the bus finally pulled up there was a mad rush, and lots of pushing to get on and get a seat. For once we packed very light and only had one small backpack for the two of us (we left our big backpacks in Chaing Mai). We were therefore two of the lucky foriengers who got a seat, because the rest were dealing with having their packs strapped to the top of the bus. The ride was no problem. We arrived and on our way to look for a place to stay, we were approached by a sweet lady who was staying at a very remote bungalows without electricity about a 10 minute walk from town through some rice fields. She asked if we needed a place, and in Buddhist fashion, we felt the universe was handing us a gift. We decided to go there. It was a beautiful walk and when we got there we were greated by two cute puppies and a sweet Thai women. We settled in then went to town to explore. We enjoyed ourselves for a couple of days, then we met up at breakfast with the women who had told us about the place. The three of us were the only guests. She confided in us about the owner making her feel uncomfortable. What at first felt like Thai hospitality to her, had become problematic. The owner was insistent that she go places with him, and becoming touchy feely. As the story went on, it became apparent that she was very afraid. We have learned to listen to our intuition, and she had not listened to hers. She said that she felt like he would not let her leave. Brad compassionately listened and suggested she find a new place. As the story got worse, Brad decided it was best that we all leave...together. We all packed up and in ten minutes we were gone. Twenty minutes later we were safely in a new place. The next morning, Jennifer went with her to the bus station to see her safely off. As we waited for the bus, the owner drove by just as she feared, but since Jennifer was with her did not stop. She said she learned some very good lessons from this experience. It turns out she was not waiting on the corner when we first arrived to help us, but was there so we could help her. We have stayed in Pai since and haven't seen the man.

On to the more fun stuff! Our new bungalow is like a slice of paradise. It is situated in the middle of a garden with flowers and fruit blooming everywhere. The husband and wife who own it are gentle, kind, generous people who have made the remainder of our stay in Pai unforgettable!

One day we went on an elephant ride. There are elephants who used to be used for logging but are now out of business. You can spend an afternoon on the back of these enormous, gentle creatures. The first half of the trip was a walk down a river. At one point they go in over their heads and sprayed us with water. The second half of the experience was a peaceful ride through the jungle. Benay, our elephant had such a neat personality. She was the leader. She would stop and look for sweet tasting berries and trees to munch on. Her trainer was gentle and patient and just let her explore. It was a lot of fun. One of Jen's favorites!

While in Pai we also went to a primary school in a local village. There was a poster in an internet cafe that invited travellers to come and help the students practice speaking english. We showed up, and true to fashion, it was a day there were no students. We came back the next day, the students were in, and had a ball! Jen played head, shoulder, knees and toes, and they taught us a Thai game. The teacher was kind and gracious and stopped everything just to have her kids spend time with us. We were so excited to go back. That evening Jen researched a class project on the internet. We bought materials and school supplies for the kids, and planned to return the next day to do more than just play games. Wouldn't you know that the next was their "sport" day and they were off practicing for the next weeks big regional sport competition. Foiled again! That everning we were walking from dinner and the teacher spotted us and talked with us. One of her students had seen us and told her we had been back. Now she does not want us to leave Pai. It is Sunday and she said she would stop by our guest house to see us, so we are on the look out for her. Unfortunately we have to leave Pai tomorrow morning to start making our way back to Bangkok. We will leave the project and school supplies for her....who knows, maybe we will come back!

We rented a scooter and explored the local mountains. One day we went to a waterfall which was nothing special. Other than that, we have been having lazy days and interesting conversations with new friends. Pai is a place to come back to if ever we get a chance. It has a great feel and is our favorite place in Thailand. Last night we ate dinner on the outskirts of town. It was at an open air restaruant on the top of hill under the grand canopy of the milkyway. A more peaceful setting we could not create.

Tomorrow we are headed back to Chaing Mai for a couple of days. Brad is looking forward to making good use of the climbing wall. By Thursday we will be back at our home away from home the Atlanta, in Bangkok in time to make final preparations for our Monday flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. We can hardly wait!

We almost forgot, since we will be in Bangkok on Janurary 26, we will celebrate Jen's birthday in true international style!

Click here to see pictures of Jen's cooking class and our Bungalows
Click here to see pictures of the elephants and the village school

We trust this message reaches in happiness and peace,
best wishes,
Jennifer and Brad