October break. I love you

Chiang Mai, you look beautiful and perfect on this map. Can't wait to meet you in person.

Soy Sr. Geco

Call to Prayer

My first morning in my apartment I sat on my balcony with a cup of tea and listened to this. It felt so peaceful and calming. Naturally, now when I awake at 4:30 in the morning to this sound I shut the windows and groan something like, 'fucking mosque'.

Breakin' it Down in BKK

The Streets of BKK

After looking at this piece of art for an hour...

I decided to strap it on the top of a tuk tuk and bring it home to look at some more in my living room..

Then, I sat in the back of a tuk tuk for 2+ hours wondering if my art had drowned much like the streets had...

River Tree House

My favorite restaurant in Thailand... I eat here a lot. Sap, sap, sap..

El Arte Estudiantíl

My Maid Rocks

How did she know that I need flowers today? We don't speak the same language (other than the words 'cut pineapple') but yet, she knows me so well. I honestly got teary eyed when I came home and saw these. I know it's a bit over emotional.. but that's the kind of week I'm having.

Un Lunes de Lluvia

Ultimate Frisbee Fatigues..

Not sure what it is about army bases here. I've been to two in Bangkok since arriving in July. The first army base, I shopped for orchids. I visited a second army base today and of course I played ultimate frisbee.

Pakkret Orphanage: Making Merit

I started volunteering today at Pakkret Orphanage. I am going to start volunteering here once a week for two hours of baby holding and hugs.

The orphanage was a lot cleaner and brighter than I had anticipated. When I think of orphanages, I conjure up images of large, government run, cement gray structures. This orphanage was charming and had a lot of outdoor areas and play structures. Thankfully the conditions for the babies are good and the people running the orphanage are very friendly and there were many other volunteers holding and playing with the babies. Unfortunately, it doesn't change the fact that there are hundreds of innocent babies without families, lying alone in cribs for most of the day with nobody to give them the attention, touch, and love that they need. It's heartbreaking.

This little guy is Atthi. Here is a picture of us after I fed him lunch and dessert.

Giving

Now that I know where to find alms, I need to get up between 5am and 6am to deliver the goods. When I see a line of monks, the protocol is to kneel with my offering while making sure, since I'm a woman, not to touch the monks or the monk's belongings. I have a healthy respect for tradition and culture. But at the same time, I hate being told I can't do something. Ever since I found out that women are forbidden to touch monks, I have an urge to run up and hug every orange robe that passes.

Nevertheless, there is something about the bright colored robes, the bowls near the belly, the perfect line, the early morning quiet. I'll never tire of it.

El Siglo Veintiuno