Fried Slugs Anyone?

I've never taken so many showers in a 24 hour period! Five minutes after leaving the cold shower (which is complete heaven), and struggling into a tank top, you are almost ready for another one. The best moment is when you first wake up in the morning. In that short instant, before you begin to move your limbs or open your eyes, you are completely comfortable and "almost" cool. As much as I wouldn't mind sleeping a bit later in the mornings, it is best to get up and actually get stuff done. By 11 a.m., the shaded cafes are full of fellow travelers lounging with the lastest best seller. It is amazing how many books I've gone through. I think I need to start my own literary column on my blog.

Although I am desperate to go SCUBA diving (Liz and Jen have to keep dragging me away from the dive shops), I am being a good friend and saving my lazy beach days until June/July.

I can't believe how sick I have gotten of my sparse collection of clothing. I hate everything I currently own. However, I did splurge and buy myself a fun pair of fishermans shorts/pants. They hang just below my knees are are actually quite comfy and cute. I had the hardest time figuring out how to wear them and fold the waistband around my hips - - I made quite the impression on the 3 ladies who burst out laughing when I walked out of the dressing room - -oh well.

Observation - you can tell the distinct difference between tourists and backpackers in Bangkok even though we are all about the same age. The tourist are wearing tiny miniskirts with matching purses, have an actual 'style' to their hair, and are wearing shoes that don't function as shower shoes/hiking thongs/walking/traveling/etc shoes. Me- I've been living in pigtails and my flip flops. A highlight is pulling out a new tanktop to wear. However, this isn't by any means an actual new top. I simply mean that I haven't worn this particular shirt in 2-3 days and it may or may not have been laundered before shoving it into my pack. It's new to me!!!!!

I saw my first fried cockroaches today. We went to the Chtuchak market where they sell everything from chickens and snakes to purses and lamps. I was going to try them. I really was!! However, when I approached the cart to collect my sample of roasted insect, the sight of cooked slugs made me loose my appetite. I decided to stick with watermelon until a bit later in the trip.

Jen's dad is amazing - thank you, thank you Mr. Hambaugh! He sent a wrapped box with Jen on the plane and we were allowed to open it the other night. If you have never seen 3 girls attack a box full of easter chocolates, carmels, and fantastic crunchy egg candy, you are certainly missing out on a wonderful feeding frenzy. I haven't had that much sugar in over 6 weeks but it satisfied my taste buds for the time being.

I met some wonderful travelers as I was sitting outside the Gecko house writing my postcards yesterday. A lovely couple from Australia, a young girl from New Zealand, and an older British fellow sat around with me and traded stories for several hours. After I told them about my Cape Horn experience, the British lad offered me a job teaching sailing and SCUBA diving in the Greek Isles. I'll keep his contact information handy.

Off to the north - we'll be in touch soon!

---

---