Trains, bikes and woks

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Well, after waking up, for the day at 3am to the sound of roosters-dogs and planes, followed up by a 7am presidential speach and song about, well I am not really sure. It was kindof a rough start. Took a sunrise bath in my ceiling less bathroom and I was off and running. I had breakfast and was promptly picked up at 8am for my day of Thai cooking classes. The man who picked me up was quite nice and spoke some English. I asked him about the trouble in Bangkok, with the rioting and political upheaval and he started talking all about the upcoming erection, that's right erection (if you have not figured it out this was in Lui of the upcoming ELECTION. He must have said erection 40 times. It was sad I had to giggle all by myself in the back of that van. Then we talked a out the elephant park and he wasars that there had been considerable change in the treatment of elephants in Thailand and that he says people being much more responsible through education. That was awesome.

Kiki, our Thai instructed for the day met us at the market, explained what veggies were what and off we went to the train station. Took a ride to the countryside and exited the train.... Started walking down the tracks (this didn't seem very safe to me but when in Rome) then we hopped on some bikes with big seats and baskets and took a lovely ride along side a canal until we reached the organic farm. We made all sorts of fabulous things, pad Thai,hot and spicy soup, mannimum (or something sounding like that) sticky rice and spring rolls and papaya salad. It was all going good and we cooked I. An open air kitchen which was great. Great until.... After 5 days of irregular schedules, time zones and other things, my stomach began to cramp up big time! since it took me like a Hour to get there and several modes of transport I was sweating in more ways then one! I was feeling ill, thought "oh no I am getting really sick" I excused myself from fried banana prep (sorry looks like it will never make it to a menu at my house) and lay down ( ok, room full of travelers and no one seemed to get it) made a sudden beeline for the bathroom (closet, door kindof shut and defiantly did not lock) three minutes later some chinese man is knocking at the door, "someone iOS in here" I call. And he try's to start opening he door that I am holding closed for dear life. Yelling from one side of a bathroom door to the other is universal, I dont care what language you speak. He gives up at last and some kid comes up and does the same "I'm in here, I'm in here" I'm yelling and this kid is pulling on the door as hard as he

can! WTF??? I have no idea what these people didn't get but way to make a bad situation WAY worse! I am happy to report, I am feeling much better 😊 the people in my class were all traveling for months and months wandering around with backpacks and destinations unknown, and of course european,speaking many languages.

Tomorrow starts the elephant and most anticipated part of my trip. I think I will not have Internet so I will have to fill you all in at the end of the week. I can't wait, so excited!

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Comments

[Mom]

Food
Sounds like a real adventure! Glad your tum is better. Maybe you should learn to say "go away" in Thai! Cant wait to hear about the elephants - take lots of pics. I will miss your stories this week. Super Bowl at Carpenters tonite - no fried Bananas! Love you Mom

[Jen in Thailand]

Thanks mom! Love you!