Sawat dee kah! (hello!!)

I'm so sad! I just wrote a whole detailed blog and my computer timed out. I'm going to make this short because I have a lot of packing to do and a lot of sleep to catch up on.

Today was probably the best day I've had so far!! We went on a tour that took us to the Thai rainforest! We started out at a coconut plantation where we got to see how they make things such as coconut milk, chips, powder, you name it! After that we went on to the floating market which was so cool! The locals float down canals to sell their items on make-shift canoes. It was such a sight to see. After that we ventured on to the elephant farm which was on the border of Thailand and Burma (here's a map http://www.pacom.mil/JTFFA/map.jpg). I rode with my friend named Ashley as well as one of the Thai elephant trainers. In the middle of the ride the trainer hopped off and let me steer the elephant...SO COOL! We got a lot of really great pictures as well as a hilarious video of an elephant trying to steal my camera out of my hands! I think I was probably one of the most fascinated people out of our whole group, I was all about hanging out with the elephants. Mom and dad, I want an elephant for Christmas!!! :). Tonight I'm just hanging around the hotel because we leave early tomorrow morning for Cha-Am which is a beautiful beach in Thailand (YAY!!!). Days here seem as long as weeks. It's going to be really weird to come home and not have everyday packed full of stuff to do. I sure am missing my mexican food. I'm having dreams about Taco Bueno and La Hacienda!!! YUM!

I'm absolutely loving it here. I love all of the students I'm with and everyone is ready to have the time of their lives. It's great to be surrounded by people that are so ready to learn about the culture and go out exploring. I feel like I've made a lot of friends that will be around for a long time...and I've only been here a week!! That's about all I've got for now! Love you all!

Love,

Shan