I'm just in awe.... ... John, your photos are exquisite. STUNNING. Not only is the peek into the Klong Toey slums insightful, but I'm just sitting here feeling the emotional and dramatic effect of your photography about the subject. Whew.
Thank you for this blog.
What in the USA take for granted!! Hey PUTZ, Keep up the good work, I will show Melissa & Amanda these pics. AND when they think they have it hard, Just remind them of this!! They also told me to tell you HI, And to be safe!! Take care PUTZ, Proud of ya Dude, See ya, M.M.
Thank you John,
Your blogs continue to touch my heart. Like you, I have traveled to the far corners of the world and seen poverty "up close and personal."
I would like to commit $250 to your cause right now, and I challenge all other readers of your blog to match it. Where do I send the check?
Curt DeBerg
SAGE Founder
http://www.csuchico.edu/sage
The Buddhist Way It sounds like the Buddhist Way has three choices. Hate, Tolerance, or Love. You have tried two of them; you have definatley tolerated it, you probably unintentionally showed it love because it probably took a sip of your coffee when your back was turned. So the third, hate, don't feel to bad if you choose the third and bring a fly swatter back with you. After all that thing probably has reproduced a million times since you have left for bangkok. Balance, my friend, balance....
Incredible Journey....too bad we all can't find the time to do such unselfish deeds for humanity.
Bee Gone "The block of wood is carved into utensils by carving void into the wood. The Master uses the utensils, yet prefers to keep to the block because of its limitless possibilities. Great works do not involve discarding substance." [Tao Te Ching - Chapter 28]
Get a solid piece of wood and carve it into a cup. In the morning, put about a centimeter of your coffee into it with a generous helping of sugar and set it on the balcony. When the bee checks in for a sip (or whatever it is that bees do when they take their coffee in Thailand), quickly cover the top with a piece of cloth and secure it with string. Take the bee in his little motor home with you the next time you visit Khao Lak and set him free.
What's in a Name? Love your travelblogs and "To Bee or Not to Bee" made me laugh. I think
that since that "Bee" is a close neighbor he (it?) should have a name. After
all, she (it? he?) likes you enough to visit you everyday. The Bee probably
misses you while you are in Bangkok.
I remember when you met the man who couldn't walk. It's good to see him
doing so well. Bless you and all of the other peaceful volunteers who are
helping to make a difference over there.
The Buddhist Way The real Buddhist way in handling a jungle insect, my dear brother, is this:
Hate is the act of killing the bee who's come to share your coffee.
Tolerance is allowing the bee to hang around because you couldn't find a way to kill him.
Love (nonviolence) is sharing your coffee with the bee.
Set him out his own cup.
Be a Buddhist.
Who Is Terry Snipe Someone asked me "who is Terry Snipe?" so I thought I would respond. Terry was a gentle man that I had the pleasure to meet in January (just after the tsunami) while working as a tsunami volunteer in Thailand. He was from New York City and worked as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines. He was soft-spoken, kind and had a special calmness that surrounded him.
My travel and dear friend, Christine, who was with me and knew Terry, was to meet him again in June 2005 when she returned to Khao Lak, Thailand. Numerous attempts to contact him via email and cell phone didn't seem to raise him, and we all became concerned about his stealthness.
After tirelessly trying to find Terry's whereabouts, we discovered that Terry had passed away unexpectantly. I believe he was no older than 32. We also have a belief that he somehow knew his fate and his time in Thailand helping those in need after such a horrific disaster was his way of doing something meaningful and fulfilling. He had lost his brother from the same ailment (corornary we have heard, but not confirmed) just months before. We will all miss him immensely and so will the children of Ban Nam Khem, Thailand.
Lillies of the Field Hi John,
Your latest adventure with building the temple reminds me of the movie 'Lillies of the Field' with Sidney Poitier. He just happens to be passing by a small group of nuns and the next thing he knows he's been coerced into building them a chapel. You will really appreciate this movie. Should have sent it with all the other DVDs I collected for you. Well, you can watch it when you get back stateside and see what I mean! Take care!! Love, your sister, Laura
glad to receive your blog Hi John - I met you on plane when I was returning from Miami (I think it was Miami anyway). Anyway, I enjoy receive the photos - they are exceptional! I look forward to receiving progress on the playground.
Take care
Reyes Briones
GetAway Tours and Travel
Pride Your father would be so proud of you, Johnny, giving up a good job in California and taking your savings to help those more unfortunate. I am. In the early seventies, he and I considered joining the Peace Corps, but we still had you and your four siblings to raise and the going would have been too rough. I think you are living one of our dreams. Hangeth in there!
Gyll and Stuart Info for you... Shaneed, I want to let you know that I met Gyll and Stuart in early November. Since that time, we have become very close friends and there isn't a day that we don't speak or get together. We are working on projects together here and around Khao Lak. (www.tsunamirefugees.org and www.operationplayground.org). They are wonderful people and we will be getting together tonight for dinner after their return from Bangkok, where they graciously escorted a woman who lost her daughter in the tsunami back to the airport. I will let them know you contacted me and pass on your email address. Cheers and glad to know you are okay. --John
Post Tsunami Situation Hi Johnny Moretti,
I came across your journal while surfing around.
Coincidentally, I am organising a Humanitarian Programme to Khao Lak in June 2006. Since you've visited Khao Lak, I thought you would be familiar with the situation there.
The focus of the trip is - Children. We intend to teach them basic english and organize games and activities for them.
I would like to find out from you firstly, the living conditions of the children and the daily necessities or aid they might require.
Secondly, it would be great if you could provide us contact details of the NGOs you liaised with in Thailand.
Lastly, any other information would also be helpful.
I enjoy reading your Journal and look forward to your reply :)
Yours Faithfully,
Dawn Lee
dawnleeyimin@gmail.cmo
hello Hi, I was randomly looking at info on Thialand, and saw the name Gyll on this blog, it also says she is from Austraila, if Gyll has a husband named Stewart, then I was fortunate enough to have met them April/May 05 while in Thailand, they atually were kind enough to take me to the Takuapa hospial and take care of me after i contracted malaria. Would you please do me the favour of telling them Shaneen from Canada says hello. It's great work that you all are doing, keep it up!
Keep the blog updates coming, John I enjoy reading about your adventures, Johnnie Bones. Keep up the good work.
When will you be coming back to California? Want to join me in the Philippines Jan 11-20? Boracay Island?
I'm surprised there are no comments to your first blog. (I've never written that word before, though I know what it means!)
Your photos are excellent, and I'm looking forward to reading more about your adventures...long after the fact I realise. I'm a friend of Stuart and Gyll by the way, and we've worked together in Khao Lak. Now I'm home in KL. Please say "hi" from me.
Polly
Hello and looks like all is well Hello Johnny
Looks like all is well and that you are taking in the culture and people of Thailand well. I think of you often and can enjoy your Journey in Thailand through your updates of your experiences. Thank you for including me in the updates and your journey.
Blessings,
Lucy
Hello all worldly people! My name is Johnny and I'm from Chico, California, USA. I haven't been adding to this blog in many years, but will be updating some of my travels soon. Hope you enjoy my writings and experiences. I welcome your comments and stories to tell, too!
My Thailand trip in 2005 changed my life completely. I've been joined with a wonderful wife and daughter since my trip and we continue to explore the world every chance we get!
Please forgive the following statement, but it needs to be said for those that are not so honest.
To all those that want to use my photos for p... full info
Uncle Jim
non-member comment
Hi Johnny Bones
You take great pictures! Thank you for sharing them with me. I hope all is well with you. Love - Uncle Jim