Bamboo

Wow. I am not sure what has been the coolest part of the trip so far. Maybe it was meeting Anon, Mike's longtime friend and co-leader on trips to Thailand, and his family. He took us into his home and shared his world with us. As one of Michael's dear "brothers," it is clear that Michael and he share a connection, but from very different worlds. Maybe it was when we got to cut down a tree for firewood and bamboo for cooking on our trek with Anon in the woods, and then carry them two miles to his house. Maybe it is anything that has to do with bamboo because I am convinced it is the most amazing growing thing on earth. Maybe it was the Thai iced tea I had this morning that was deliciously rich and sweet and full of sugar! Maybe it was riding an elephant. Maybe it was sitting quietly at Anon's favorite hilltop temple overlooking the farming valley below. Maybe it was the "three hour car ride" that turned into a day long adventure because Anon wanted to stop and visit each family member along the way. Maybe it was climbing one of the highest mountains in northern Thailand with a mandatory guide who was smoking a cigarette and wearing flip flops the whole way - unphased by anything. Maybe it was the public hot springs that the local hill tribe uses to bath that we got to experience last night after sunset and this morning at the crack of dawn. Think Hot springs meets public bath - but its free. We would have paid more than $100 in the US for that time. But, I guess I don't really need to choose a favorite. The generosity of Anon and his many family members, along with the generosity of the many Thai people we have met has been tremendously welcoming and caring. This part of the trip has been a delight for me to visit a place that is so important to Michael. It has also been such a gift to experience a new culture that is so simple, but so complex at the same time.

Now we are off to Thai cooking classes this afternoon. We got to choose nine of our favorite dishes that we will learn how to make, and then we get to share them with our friend Pim, when we are done. Tomorrow we head to Nepal. We will probably have internet one more time before we head up to the Buddhist nunnery.

Hope winter is going well. Sending love and thinking of you all!