This is where we are now.  Heather is very happy.

Our morning drive to Mesai brought one of the best experiences of my trip (although it started out a bit bumpy).  We pulled up to a wat, always beautiful in the morning light, and one of the girls noticed a monkey.  I’ve been on a hunt for monkeys since arriving in Thailand.  My step-niece Kiley love monkeys, and I promised to bring her photos and some monkey trinket.  I was very excited when we noticed there were monkeys everywhere.

Our host got out of the car (and left us), and we followed … the girls a bit more cautious than I.  The phrases “monkey business” and “monkeying around” come from somewhere, and we all knew the animals could get a little excited.  But I was determined to get some photos for my girl.  As I was trying to get a good angle on one (in fact the one above, I believe), another one started running at me.  The girls fled.  I started to freak a bit, as I am not quite sure how dangerous monkeys are, but I figured he wouldn’t actually attack me, would he?  Then he jumped onto my dress and was hanging from the skirt.  I do believe I screamed.  (I wasn’t sure if monkeys have claws or not, but I can remember when my cat used to climb up me as a kitten; it wasn’t fun.)  He dropped off and ran away.  I was only slightly shaken, completely unharmed and not at all deterred from my Kiley mission.

Shortly thereafter we found the monkey handlers, as I shall call them.  For 10 baht, I could feed the monkeys peanuts.  Not liking to carry coins, I readily agreed.  It was the best 10 baht I’ve ever spent.  As the girls hid in the car (Jamie eventually came out to take some pictures and feed one monkey), I handed peanuts to every monkey I could find.  They were so gentle in their grasps.  I felt like I was handing something to a baby as their little hands wrapped around the peanuts (and, in fact, some of them were baby monkeys).  I even got to get in a quick pet of one of the babies before he ran away.  A few tried to climb my skirt still, but a wave of the hand or a stern word, and they would leave.  The handler was always around with a stick just in case.  Most of the monkeys were pretty fearful of the stick, and just waving it was enough.

Interacting with somewhat wild animals like this is an experience that I never would have had in Illinois.  Feeding monkeys will be one of the highlights of my trip to Thailand and something I shall never forget.  Maybe someday I’ll bring Kiley here so she can do it too.

Dad, please share this with Kiley and let her know that I have many more pictures (and video!) to show her when I get home.  I can’t wait to see everyone.

In the front of the boat in the blue is the captain of our long boat. He’s supposed to be behind me. Behind him is the dock where I thought we were supposed to land. We stopped moving, but we were definitely not at the dock. Instead, we hit a sandbar. The local Rotarians were using bamboo sticks to push us, and the captain waded into the Mekong River to finally get us unstuck.

The trip to Laos by longboat was a bit more exciting than what we saw when we got over there (the same cheap shopping as night markets in Thailand). But I must hand it to the Thais; longboats are quite the ingenious design. The ride is amazing smooth even when handling the wake of a barge. You just need to make sure there’s water under them.

On the rare occasion that we are given menus to order from (this has only happened twice despite numerous times eating out), the English translations are often horribly misspelled. For example, “Deep Fried” is a common section header. I’ve seen “deep” spelled “depp,” “deed,” and “deef” sometimes all within the same menu. This misspelling amused me enough to take a picture. Not surprisingly I did not order this menu item. (Click for a larger picture and look closely for the error.)

Normally, this would rouse joy in me because I love natural beauty. But how unclear are plans were (I was told the business skirt I was currently wearing would be appropriate attire; it was not) and how tired we all felt left me unsettled.

After another long drive, we spent a lovely afternoon with some Hmong children or hill tribes as they call them here, who first performed for us at their school and then toured us around their town.

I was most struck by the contrast of ancient ways with modern life. In a contemporary looking home, a family of 27 shared a living space where the women practiced traditional cloth making arts next to the TV and DVD player. It was a strange juxtaposition.

The evening meal and accommodations were very outdoorsy, and Wendy and I were not too comfortable with them. Riding in the back of a pickup truck up a mountain was a bit reminiscent of my childhood on the farm, but I just wasn’t to sure of the food sanitation levels and was a bit nervous.

At 5 a.m. we were roused for a sunrise hike. At 6 a.m., we finally left. The half-mile climb was arduous, but the view and feeling of accomplishment were worth it. Although the white skirt and flip-flops I was wearing were perhaps not really hiking gear, I was glad I was not wearing the business skirt. And I didn’t even have the most inappropriate shoes — that award went to our host’s wife who had a bit of a platform heel.

This journey has been much like climbing a mountain. We have reached the peak in our trip, but there is still a long climb down.

This sign was in the public bathroom in the lobby of the less than luxury resort we were staying in a few nights ago. Jamie and Wendy noticed it when they left the karaoke party that featured two women in questionable attire.

Tonight we attended the city fair. They don’t have prizes like this at our carnivals.

Like dogs in the U.S., apparently bunnies get to wear clothes in Thailand.

Umm. Yummy.