Leaving Mae Sot

My last day in Mae Sot -- hard to imagine it has come so soon, and yet it feels like I've been here for months.

Yesterday I taught 39 children at an orphanage outside of town, from 9 months to 15 years old. What can I say?

Today visited the free clinic where anyone of any nationality is treated for free. Then met a fabulous artist whose work I have admired, who accompanied us to the dump where hundreds of people live. I've heard about dump children in S. American countries, but to actually walk to garbage is one of the most humbling experiences I've had.

I am trying to squeeze in one more Tea Leaf Salad, one more curry, one more Burmese tea shop meal that I will miss incredibly when we leave on the bus tomorrow for Chiang Mai. This is a place I know I will return to, and it will easy to do. And I just learned of the retirement visa, so it's all I can think about!

Can't imagine flying home to ice and snow, but have one more day to get a handle on it. I'd much rather be "stranded" here than in Newark Airport, though. Please tell me immediately if you think I won't make it back Saturday.

Can't wait to see you all. Gotta figure out how to have a slide show!

See you soon

Maggi