Mae Sot

Checked out of the LKN Inn in Bangkok, got a taxi to the bus station, asked for the bus to Mae Sot, just as Thane explained I would. "Full." That's all the young woman could say. The bus was full. With one a day, all I could say was "NO!" Then she said there was a second class bus (like I care what class it is!!). When does it leave? She said, "in one minute." I bought it, ran with way more stuff than anyone in the right mind should ever bring anywhere... and got to the bus just as the driver was getting up in his seat. Perfect! No waiting. Only a little sweat. I relaxed into the 8 1/2 hour ride next to a perfectly charming Thai woman who adopted me, showed me to the toilet when the bus stopped, even paid my 3 baht fee! Beautiful ride, coming up into the mountains.
Then picked me up on his motorbike. (wish I had a picture of this with luggage and backpacks -- more wait than Thane has every balanced, I'm sure)
I am at a wonderful guest house with hot water and fan, sparkling floors and western toilet. We walked around the shops where Thane had scouted out art paper. I bought all they had of a large white paper, asked for a discount, and the total came to Malcolm's contribution! Thanks Malcolm! I plan to cut it up in different sizes for the students to use.
We went to the night market to meet Thane's friends... they came from everywhere, and it was quite fun. Guess any newcomer is a novelty, but I felt very welcomed here. Every single person has an amazing background and story. One thing in common, the core values of helping people who have less opportunity, knowing what materials things they really need and what they can do without, and no pretense, only curiosity for the world and cultures around them. What a joy! We have come so far away from remembering these most important pieces of our lives -- with all the distractions that convince us making and spending money, looking a certain "acceptable" way, and having the right credentials, are what make us good people.

I found my first temple and offered prayers and candles and incense for the well being and miraculous events in the lives of J & C, S & L, S, S, S, J, D&V, B&J on their trip, ... and there will be many more candles.

Thane took me to the office where he teaches the lawyers, and I had lunch with them. One lovely woman is going to take me to a sauna. I've had nothing but wonderful food, of "golden peas" which to me, were fresh snap peas, some sort of leafy soup, fresh cucumbers, tamarind, teeny eggplants, eggs, tofu, greens, pineapple, and of course, rice.

My teaching schedule has already changed, so I'll be teaching Wed., Thursday, and Friday, before we leave for a festival on the border of Burma, but several hours away. Then, will return to mae sot for a few days. I can't believe I then have to think about getting to the airport!

Everything is hot, beautiful, clean, friendly, blooming, and everyone seems truly happy.
More soon. It's only Monday!

(I filled one camera card and will try to get it downloaded today-- maybe I can post a photo or two. Susan, many thanks for the kitty care.)