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I wake up to see the sunrise this morning, it is still quiet, people sleeping behind their curtains and the gentle rock and rumble of the train. It is cool and I am able to see the fields and rural homes and villages along the train tracks. I feel like I can breathe for the first time since arriving in Thailand, what a relief after the heat and noise of Bangkok. When I step off the train I look around for Nalinrat, I then look at the clock and realize the train has arrived TWO HOURS after the scheduled time... welcome to Thailand. No worries though since Nalinrat has just taken a nap at the station, I suppose she is used to it at least! After a bit of negotiating we jump into a Tuk Tuk with my luggage...and two other girls...and their luggage...and a grandmother...and her grandson, and you guessed it... their luggage! Off we go, careening down the road (I am courageous and don't cover my eyes, even though I am sure that any moment will bring us crashing into something or someone!)
The Nongkhai house is pretty, with a little oasis of a yard, bright tables and a hammock. After meeting Dalyn (who runs the Mundo program) and Scott the Scott (who lives in Pattaya but is down here helping for a bit) I drop my stuff off and we go down the road for something to eat. My first Thai style breakfast: hot soup with mushrooms and of course, chilis!
Another visit to a market, a shower (thank god!) and then Prayoon and Nalinrat teach me some 'Thai Etiquette' Little did I know there are six ways to Wai someone! Prayoon talked about the King as well, about whom I had read how the people adored the King but it was another thing to see the respect and love with which he talked about the King and the programs he had started: a bit different than Americans cynical attitude towards our national leaders!
At the market we get stuck behind a cowd of teenage girls following a movie star who is promoting some product...hard to imagine an American celebrity weaving their way through an open air market and tables of squid and vegetables. He gives me a pen!
My first authentic Thai cooking experience, Papaya salad! Green Papaya, tomatoes, nahm pa (fish sauce) and of course, chilis! Dinner is great and it feels amazingly like a family dinner although I have just met these people. I think I am starting to understand the beauty of the Thai smile and easygoing way which was not as evident in the chaos that was Bangkok.
I fall into bed around 10, not quite sure when I will get my feet under me and stop feeling like I'm going 100 miles an hour!
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