Travels

An update from my brother:

Dear Friends and Family,

All people feel one way about roosters. They either love them or hate them. I think I'll choose to love them as I have no other choice at 5:30am. The monks have already made their daily rounds asking for food from those who value karma. This morning I woke up and walked out onto my bungalo's teak deck and was welcomed by a kitten and last nights empty beer bottle. My small town is bustling as people head to the market. The air is already filled with the smell of food in which I cannot determine the origin. I found as slice of heaven here in Sukhothai, Thailand.

I've been traveling for a bit now, and finally got myself out of Bangkok. Frank warned me about that city, but like most things, I had to experience it for myself. The huge city thrives on dicotomy. Beautiful and dirty. Fast paced TukTuks and meditating Buddhists. Acura SUVs and old women peddling their goods to market. I'll admit I was a bit scared at first. The signs were incomprehendable, the pace unstoppable, and the smells sometimes unbearable. I then looked at the smiling kids - they get it. SLOW DOWN AND LOOK AROUND.

The food here is amazing, although usually I don't know what I'm eating. I've finally got down the basics. 'Cawl' = rice, 'Moo' = pork. Then there is beef, chicken, and noodles. Eating is as adventurous as you want it to be. Many times I just look at what the person in front of me orders. If I'm adventurous, I order the same thing. I think yesterday I had pig skin in my soup. You win some and you loose some I guess. Last night was the best meal yet. I had pork skewers and rice wrapped in a lilly leaf, Iced tea with cocunut milk, and fresh pineapple and watermellon, all for 30 baht (less than a dollar).

The Thais are beautiful people and a smile can buy you a lot here. I've gotten better at bartering for goods, food, and rides (iv'e ridden in a taxi, a tuktuk, a moto, a sanguet, and in the back of a pickup truck). I'm gonna try to add an elephant into the mix too. Today I'm gonna relax and get a Thai massage, and play soccer with some of the school kids. Tommorrow I visit the ancient temples around here via bike.

I hope all is well back home. I think of you often (especially when I'm laying in bet after the rooster has woken me up). I head further North soon and farther from civilzation, so who knows when I'll be able to write again. I apologize for poor spelling, but the keyboard doesn't have any letters on them, plus I'm paying by the minute.

Be good, I love you all,
-Doug