Animals, Jahri chatting, and the expansion...
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
chiang mai zoo
Jahri and Nan went to the Chiang Mai zoo today. It was very exciting and they had a lot of fun. Here are some pictures.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
first real day
Today we finally started to feel like ourselves again. Another guest here invited us to go to the temple on the mountain, a huge, ornate temple 20km above the city. His friend picked us up and we stopped for a delicious lunch in a garden restaurant. We got a bit car sick on the way up the mountain, but it was worth the trip. The temple was beautiful. Crowded too. After looking around, taking photos, being blessed, and having tea, we saw an elephant on the way out. Again motion sickness down the mountain. We returned to the guest house for a little siesta and then ventured out alone in a songtow (or red truck - cheapest public transit) to the Sunday Market. We saw lots of beautiful things but didn't buy (except for food and a 20 cent hello kitty purse for Jahri). We each got a 30 minute massage for $4 total. We took a tuk tuk (3 wheeled motorcycle with 2 seats in back) back to the guest house and now we are ready for bed. I start classes tomorrow so we need to get a good night's sleep. We are staying at the best guest house and all the other guests are great.
Dorothy should arrive tomorrow night. Hooray!
Dorothy should arrive tomorrow night. Hooray!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
arrived
After 33 hours of travel we finally arrived at Santitham Guest House in Chiang Mai. When we arrived at the airport we quickly made it though customs and retrieved our baggage. We walked out of the terminal looking for our driver holding a "Welcome Kelly" sign in vain. There was no sign and no driver. We were the only Americans on the plane and I believe the only 2 native English speakers; it was almost 1:00 am so all the normal airport desks were closed. We stood there with a blank stare for awhile and eventually a young Thai woman asked us where we were staying etc. Since we had no Thai Baht and the currency exchange center was closed without her we really would have been stuck. She called our guest house proprietor and he came to pick us up. Everyone at the airport was really helpful. Jahri got "huge gash on her finger from the suitcase and it formed a puddle of blood; her whole arm almost came off". Actually she got a small but painful cut that was mended with a bandaid
We are staying in a great place, photos coming soon. We can't post any pics now because my mom has the cord to the camera but will when she arrives. She was able to get her passport and I believe she's on her way but need to confirm that with someone soon. A 12 hour time difference makes it difficult to reach people.
We have a private outdoor shower in our room, my favorite! I've already taken two showers today because it's so hot and humid and perhaps I'll take a third under the stars. Our room is big and cool with brightly colored tiles. It's a little bungalow separate from the main house. We're paying an extra $8 night for the bungalow but it's totally worth it. My mom will love it, we can't wait till she arrives.
We haven't done much today. Had a nice little breakfast of fresh fruit and yogurt, had an engaging conversation with another American staying here, found our way to the mall to exchange currency and have lunch. Came home for a nice nap. Jahri hasn't been feeling all that great. She's jetlagged and has a sore throat and doesn't do so well in the heat and humidity especially so suddenly. We played some card games which I lost and are now getting ready for dinner.
It's more urban here then we expected. More on Chiang Mai tomorrow...
We are staying in a great place, photos coming soon. We can't post any pics now because my mom has the cord to the camera but will when she arrives. She was able to get her passport and I believe she's on her way but need to confirm that with someone soon. A 12 hour time difference makes it difficult to reach people.
We have a private outdoor shower in our room, my favorite! I've already taken two showers today because it's so hot and humid and perhaps I'll take a third under the stars. Our room is big and cool with brightly colored tiles. It's a little bungalow separate from the main house. We're paying an extra $8 night for the bungalow but it's totally worth it. My mom will love it, we can't wait till she arrives.
We haven't done much today. Had a nice little breakfast of fresh fruit and yogurt, had an engaging conversation with another American staying here, found our way to the mall to exchange currency and have lunch. Came home for a nice nap. Jahri hasn't been feeling all that great. She's jetlagged and has a sore throat and doesn't do so well in the heat and humidity especially so suddenly. We played some card games which I lost and are now getting ready for dinner.
It's more urban here then we expected. More on Chiang Mai tomorrow...
Friday, February 22, 2008
flaw in the plan
Greetings from Seoul, Korea! Jahri and I are here in the Seoul airport killing some time before we board our last flight to Chiang Mai.
We had a major bummer upon arriving at the Detroit airport. Dorothy was not allowed on the flight because her passport is set to expire in April and apparently for entry to Thailand the expiration date needs to be 6 months from the date of travel. We had a high stress hour and a half trying to figure out what to do and how to solve the problem, but eventually J and I had to board, saying an emotional goodbye and hoping for the best. In the meantime Dorothy has caught a flight to Chicago to get this straightened out with the passport agency and is scheduled to arrive a few days later, shortening her trip by 3 days. But at least she's on her way!
Jahri and I are exhausted and jetlagged but holding on. We should be tucked away in our room in about 8 hours.
We had a major bummer upon arriving at the Detroit airport. Dorothy was not allowed on the flight because her passport is set to expire in April and apparently for entry to Thailand the expiration date needs to be 6 months from the date of travel. We had a high stress hour and a half trying to figure out what to do and how to solve the problem, but eventually J and I had to board, saying an emotional goodbye and hoping for the best. In the meantime Dorothy has caught a flight to Chicago to get this straightened out with the passport agency and is scheduled to arrive a few days later, shortening her trip by 3 days. But at least she's on her way!
Jahri and I are exhausted and jetlagged but holding on. We should be tucked away in our room in about 8 hours.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
itinerary
Thursday, Feb 21: Kelly, Dorothy, and Jahri Depart Detroit
Saturday, Feb 22: Arrive Chiang Mai
Sat, Sun: Acclimate to 85 degrees and 12 hour time difference
Monday, Feb 25: Kelly starts classes, Dorothy and Jahri hang out
Tue-Fri: More of the same (Kelly class 9:00-5:00)
Saturday, March 1: Travel to Lisu Lodge for a soft adventure http://www.asian-oasis.com/lisu.html
Sunday, March 2: Return to Chiang Mai
Monday, March 3: Dorothy and Jahri depart Chiang Mai
Tue-Fri: Classes, hanging out, eating great food, spending luscious time alone
Saturday and Sunday: See what comes my way
Mon-Fri: Another full week of classes
Friday, March 14: Depart Chiang Mai
Saturday, March 15: Arrive home
Saturday, Feb 22: Arrive Chiang Mai
Sat, Sun: Acclimate to 85 degrees and 12 hour time difference
Monday, Feb 25: Kelly starts classes, Dorothy and Jahri hang out
Tue-Fri: More of the same (Kelly class 9:00-5:00)
Saturday, March 1: Travel to Lisu Lodge for a soft adventure http://www.asian-oasis.com/lisu.html
Sunday, March 2: Return to Chiang Mai
Monday, March 3: Dorothy and Jahri depart Chiang Mai
Tue-Fri: Classes, hanging out, eating great food, spending luscious time alone
Saturday and Sunday: See what comes my way
Mon-Fri: Another full week of classes
Friday, March 14: Depart Chiang Mai
Saturday, March 15: Arrive home
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