To Chiang Mai!

Sorry to leave that last entry just hanging there... I'll try to do some catching up now.

Walking out of the internet cafe on Sunday we heard someone calling out to Michael. We turned around to find Andy and Kate, friends from the States who we had just that day learned would also be in Bangkok for a few days. It was great to meet up with them, and it confirmed the feeling that I had been having that we would run into someone we knew. We had a few beers together and then set out to meet Felix (aka Mr. Pumpy) for dinner (but I'll let Michael tell you more about him).

Yesterday we toured the Jim Thompson House with Andy and Kate. The teak wood buildings were beautiful and we felt it was another really well-done Thai tourist attraction--thanks for the recommendation Michaela! We ate lunch there too--Pad Thai again! I know I should branch out, but I can't seem to stray from this favorite--I love that lime and peanut combination! After lunch we visited the Wat Po temple and the huge reclining golden Buddha statue. It was the first Thai temple we've visited and we were in sensory overload--it was all very beautiful.

But I have to admit, one of the main reasons we went to that particular Wat was because we had read about the School of Massage there. Our time was limited so we just went for the half hour, but Wow! It was very different from any other massage I've had, I think she cracked just about every part of my body--fingers, toes, back, hips, neck. It was relaxing and invigorating at the same time, and I think a safer bet than many of the other "Massage" places we often passed on the street.

We took the river boat and Sky Train back to our place (we love Bangkok's transportation system!), picked up our passports with our new visas from the travel agent, and headed to the train station to catch my 7:40 train up north to Chiang Mai. Yes, my train, not our train, as Michael has decided to do the trip by bicycle instead. He's planning on taking about two weeks to do the trip. I'm going to spend a day or two here in Chiang Mai and then go to the Akha Hill House up near Chiang Rai where I hope to do some volunteer teaching, and that's where we'll meet up at the beginning of June. I feel like I need to hurry up and post this entry, because I just saw that Michael has also started one, but titled his "Splitting Up", which is a great way to freak everyone out. Just to ease everyone's mind: yes, we are still very happily married, and yes, we will both be extra careful and check in often.

My train ride last night was great--our bunks were made up with comfortable mattresses, sheets, pillows, blankets and even our own curtains for privacy (maybe that would have helped in India!). I woke up really well rested this morning and found a nice guest house called "Your Home". I'm gonna head out to explore town now, and maybe get some more Pad Thai!

(Oops, I forgot about the rest of our Kanchanaburi trip, especially the gorgeous waterfalls we visited nearby. You'll just have to see for yourself when Michael posts the photos--he got the camera, I got the ipod.)