a mall in bangkok

hey everyone,

so we're back from the beach. In a 9 story mall in Bangkok. Why? It is AIR CONDITIONED. Us northerners are just not made to deal with the heat. We've been horizontal for days. I finally feel like I have access to my brain in here, which is kinda ironic, given the video game sounds and incredible insanity of this mall. Someone with ADD would be freaking out. The 5th floor is devoted to the sale of cell phones.

anyway. tonight we take a sleeper train up to Ngong Khai, which is on the border with Laos. We'll do a 7 day yoga/meditation retreat up there, then possibly travel through Laos and up to Yunan and Sezuan provinces in China. Its so upbeat and fun in THailand- people are SUPER friendly and smile easily. There is so much action- many forests being re-planted, various efforst to recylce and promote eco-tourism. China felt a little more uneasy and stiff- but then again, our stint in Thailand has strictly been the tourist route. We're heading back to China in about 10 days where it will be cooler (and we'll be out of malaria drugs, so...).

The last few days on the beach were great- lots of time in the hammock and shifting from pool to ocean to cold shower. Amazing fruit. Incredible orange juice- its sweet like Tang but tastier and makes you feel better. We're hoping to upload some photos (finally bought a chord for my camera). One funny story that some of you will appreciate is that the morning we left Bangkok to head to the beach, I cut the bottom of my foot (not funny). So since we're in the tropics, little cuts take 10 years to heal. So I spent most of my time on the beach walking around with my sneaker on. Not a typo. One sneaker and one sandal because it was HOT and I didn't want my other foot to suffer too. So I became well known on the beach. Finally someone asked me what was going on. It provided Eric with much entertainment.

We managed to get only minorly sunburned. Cassie, if you're reading this, know that I personally can relate to what your rear looked like when you got back from Indonesia. Folks, if you are generally butt-white, it is recommended that you snorkle at least in shorts and a t-shirt. I got the t-shirt right, but the bum...

ok. we're off to go eat. hope to upload some pics. Send us news- we miss you all !

xoxo
betsy and eric