SimplyCurious

After meeting with the Burmese monk, we jumped in open air trucks for a beautiful 3-4 hour drive ot Umphang. This was probably the least comfortable accomodation so far! The bed felt like a piece of wood with a sheet on top and the shower was full of ants etc.... Dinner was plentiful and pretty good but we were all exhausted by around 8pm! We packed for our trek and I fell asleep straight away before our room lights even went out! I had my second nightmare of the trip (it must just be the malaria meds because I actually feel VERY safe here). My family was at home being followed by 7 or 8 gangsters and we were followed into our house and we tried to get to a safe place - the bad guys ... read more

Layering up on deet- Malaria risk area and already have about 4 bites... Christianna and I were left for dinner last night because heard the wrong time! We had a nice dinner anyway the two of us! Don't want to be late for breakfast! We are going to speak to a Burmese monk and go to a school for orphans! We are in Mae Sot today, a border town between Thailand and Burma -- we were supposed to go over into Burma, but the border is closed. Later on... We just got back from the school for orphans 0 we went to different grades (ages 3-15, grades separated by a concrete wall). Most of their parents if still alive, live in Burma but it is too dangerous for the children there. The kids mostly stay-board at ... read more

incredible experience. SO many memories of my Refugees and IDP's professor Al Fuertes - in our classroom seeing pictures of suffering people while I drank my latte in a to-go cup. We sat outside in the sticky mid-day air and listened to stories from political prisoners. People who were held against their will and subjected to terrible acts of cruelty. It broke my heart to see monks de-robed and pushed around like animals. We talked about Aun San Suu Kyi and her captivity. "Please use your liberty to free ours" and "Burma will not be a democracy until all political prisoners are free and people can use their words freely." heart-breaking to think about the trauma not only while inside the camps but how they manage once released -constantly in fear of re-imprisonment and fear for ... read more

On a train from Bangkok to Sukkhothai - vibrant green rice paddies flying by my window - white birds and scarecrows scattered on the horizon while seemingly makeshift huts put together with pieces of scrap metal lie on the fields like kites without air. They came around a short bit ago with trays of rice and veggie curry. Anna pulled our her mini-fish filled with soy sauce - who knew!! The last few days have been so exciting! I am loving the food (although I tend to stick mostly to veggie meals). Best things so far is the fresh OJ and the lovely little restaurant around the corner from our guesthouse in Bangkok (we ate there like 5 times!) Yesterday, we woke up early and walked to the boat pick-up. These boats crash up against the ... read more

I didn't see it coming like the evening sky punctuated with a full moon. Like a busy dirty noisy sidewalk with a flower growing effortlessly I didn't see it coming just like I didn't see him coming. We were meandering through the city and we were walkign down this crowded city sidewalk with litter piled up along the curb. The distinct strench of sewars permeating alongside the infused aromas of bananas being fried on the grill, coconuts being chopped open and various curries being poured over rice. As the afternoon sun brought with it the sticky feeling beneath my shirt, there was a cement bowl docrated perched on a pole about waist high filled with water lillies floating. A single pink flower stood in the middle. Beautiful I have discovered that I am allergic to Jackfruit ... read more

When I landed in Bangkok, I felt great! i foudn Hillary and Christianna no problem and she and I took a taxi back to our hostel. I was first surprised ebcause the interstate looked pretty familiar except it had bridges with extremely ornate temple decorations. Once near the hostel, it just felt like I was in a movie scene. The noises and hustle and bustle also reminded me of childhood summer in Mx. After a quick shower, she adn I walked aroudn the corner to the main street where I had pad thai off a street vendor and ate on small plastic chairs! We watched all the people partying!It was overwhelming but in a really good way! I ahve felt very safe here so far. Today after breakfast Anastasia, Christianna, Natalie and I walked aroudn some, ... read more

I'm in the plane, and I'm not sure if it is January 19th or the 20th anymore, I think I'm somewhere in between! I just watched the sun rise over the mountains of Russia. A pink light so gently kissed only the top of the mountains - all covered in snow. I can see rivers snaking through the ranges iced over and layered with powdery snow. I have the sweetest couple sitting next to me - she is so helpful and caring! They reassured me to feel free to use the washroom whenever I need -- even gave me her friend's homemade cookie tart from the row behind us! Wish I could explain what is out my window. We have had two meals on the plane so far and one snack. The first meal came with ... read more

Sitting in a small computer room with 5 minutes left on my meter. Christianna and I just went walking along the main street in a town that starts with a B, and it was soo lively! Almost overwhelming except the people weren't pushy and everyone was very relaxed! APPARENTLY, I CANT FIGURE OUT HOW TO TYPE IN ENGLISH WITHOUT CAPS LOCK FOR NOW, HA... BUT APPARENTLY MOST OF THE FOOD VENDERS TURN INTO BARS AT NIGHT. LOTS OF NEON LIGHTS AND THESE LITTLE BLUE PLANE THINGS THAT FLY INTO THE SKY LIKE THEY USED TO DO AT OPRYMILLS EXCEPT THEY GO UP MUCH HIGHER GOTTA RUN -- LOVING IT... read more

Sitting in a travelers daze. I saw the huge blue airbus arrive at the terminal. I don't think I've seen a plane this big before. Some of the other passengers are taking pictures. Everybody today has been very friendly - all of the 7-10 people on my first flight to Chicago were very nice and asked all kinds of questions about my trip. I still feel a little funny leaving everybody... I was surprised at how hard it was to say bye to Daniel -- I'm not usually like that. So many nice words were shared. I just can't quite comprehend how long it will be again till I see him! ... read more

Not feeling especially healthy at the moment. Have been feeling pretty good overall since I got over my Christmas cold, but today I felt a little dehydrated before the gym and then really worn out after the gym -- even left my class early. I have really been missing the writing thing. Grr, I have been waiting all week for the opportunity to write and now I have nothing to say. My dry hands throb as I hold my hung forehead. ... read more