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Published: December 27th 2005
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I am sure you are all bored of reading my enormous, possibly boring reflections, so today, I promise, will be shorter 😊 We began the day with a trip to the WWII museum, which happened to be right next to the Bridge Over River Kwai. The museum was interesting, as I wrote yesterday, I am always taken by the way different peoples portray their history as compared to what we learn in our own eduation systems, social interactions, and experiences. I learned a lot more about WWII than we were ever taught in school. Truthfully, I don't remember learning learning about any of the Asian influences in WWII except Pearl Harbor. There was a lot that happened here in Thailand - the railroad built by POWs and the trajedies related to it. I don't believe we were ever taught about the Thai participation in WWII, and it was actually significant for both sides of the war. The Thais actually played both sides and experienced grate hardship as a result.
After the museum, we had time to wander in the markets and I bought a few things - without bargaining. I know negotiating the price is a way of life here,
but on one hand, I know the prices are still cheap for westerners, no matter what they ask. On the other hand, I was told that if I don't bargain, I am reinforcing the bad habits of these people asking 3x what a local would pay. My thought is that since it is still cheap for me and this is their livlihood, why not give them a little more. This may make you think I am just being snobbish and having too much pity for people here, but why not? People are so nice and accomodating here, I do feel priviliged and don't mind giving a little extra.
Afte the Kwai, we hopped Back in the songatheaw (spelled wrong, but is a truck that seats 12 in the bed. Covered, but open in the back and windows on the sides - I'll post a photo of it tomorrow) and headed to Earawan National Park to hike up a 7 tiered waterfall and swim on the 4th level. I have never seen anything so beautiful! While we were swimming, there were fish nibbling at our toes! The didn't have teeth or anything, it just felt weird. There were also huge
rocks that we could slide down into the water below. This was so refreshing after hiking up about 1000 feet in very hot, humid weather. Oh yeah, we also got to play around with a few wild monkeys - they came so close to us and I was almost able to ouch them! (see photo)
After lunch, we left the part and headed to the Tiger Temple. Believe it or not, I was able to play with baby tigers, and pet the mama tigers - I will upload photos to prove it! This Tiger Temple is actually a monestary where monks and animal care volunteers tame the tigers as well as other animals so people can visit. Although this was another amazing experience, I did feel bad for the tigers. While tourists were able to sit with them and have their photos taken, they were held in their natural habitat. But once it was time to close the park, they were led back to their cages where they stay until the tourists come back. Not something I feel good about, but it was still a VERY cool experience.
We headed back o our guesthouse after that and then walked to a market to have dinner together. Our guide ordered traditional Thai for us and just told us to "trust her". OK, her were some weird things - but I tried it all!!! Yeah, you know me, I don't eat weird things. No bugs or rats yet, but the menu consisted of fried squid and fish stomach in one dish, lemon fish in another (yes the head was still on it), and another very spicey fish with the head, spicey/sweet prawn soup, vegetables, and a seafood salad that had fresh squid, prawns, and crab, all still in their shells. Normally I would eat NONE of this, but I told myself I would try everything while here. And to tell you the truth, it all tasted REALLY good! Also, our guide ordered everything just as spicy as a native Thai would eat. Most everyone thought this food was too spicey, but for me, that was the best part! I am very proud to say, that I can keep up with the thais in the spicy category!!!
Well, that's the adventure for today. Tomorrow, we hop in another songatheaw for a two hour rip to Ayutthaya, the last capital of Siam before it became Thailand. See you again tomorrow if I can find an internet connection!
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Monica
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Ohh don't you look calm with that big Cat
my friend the adventourous one!