Night Bazaar in Chiang Rai

Soaps and necklaces

My Chiang Rai host sister getting her ears pierced

Thai style t-shirts

Earrings

Thai pants

Thai silk

Silk ties

Bus Ride to Chiang Rai

So I was on the bus this morning headed to Chiang Rai. It is not air-conditioned which doesn't really bother me at this point. The leg room however is little to none. So I got to the bus station early and got the back seat. At first I had it all to myself for the first two hours of the trip. Then we made a stop and two monks got on and decided to kick me out of my seat even though there were two more seats in the back than there were people. I found this very rude, however since I didn't want to make a scene and I know I should respect monks I moved and stuck my knees out into the isle. Now I am in Chiang Rai and I'm going to the mall soon to go watch a movie and take pictures to post on my blog. I will meet Ana at four and we will have a birthday dinner with her family, before heading to the Night Bazaar where I will do some shopping and see my Chiang Rai hosts for the last time. 

All is well, Dacotah Smith

The seats with NO leg room

The whole in the ceiling where the fan is supposed to be

The backseat with leg room that two monks kicked me out of!

Spirits lifted

I'm so happy now. Tomorrow I'm going to spend the weekend in Chiang Rai. I'm going to stay with my friend from Brazil and then were going to go shopping, see some movies and say goodbye to each other. I'm also going to get to say goodbye to the host family that hosted me while I stayed in Chiang Rai earlier this year. On Wednesday I am going to Chiang Mai to stay one night with Michelle and then bring her back to stay for a week with me. I can't wait. After she leaves I will only have about a week left and I will enjoy it until I leave.


Until Later, Dacotah

Cancelled Goodbye's

I am bummed because Rotary put the quits on our get together in Chiang Mai. Right after I was packed my host mom told me that I'm not allowed to go anymore. I don't know why. I am going to try to go to Lampang and see a few friends. I just need some company of friends. It's getting lonely and I know I'm almost home and need to enjoy my time left. Unfortunately I'm spending most of my time alone now days and it's making me sad. I'm ready to leave or at least meet up with some friends. We shall see!

Joes School

Ants in Joe's water

Joes School where I hang out everyday

Inside of Joe's School

My walks downtown

My Neighbors

The road outside my house

Crazy Uncles house

The canal

Rice fields

New Mosque

My walk

Smelly canal next to the grocery store

Grocery Store

Where I used to do Aerobics

The temple I walk through and that my hosts go to

Main street

Soi (alley)

Post box

Motorcycle shop

Clothes shop

Snack shop

KFC!

Optical shop

My favorite store in town

Motorcycles

Cell phone shop

Famous temple in Chiang Kham

The Soi to Joe's School

Wednesday Night

Last night I hung out with my family for about 4 hours. My host mom showed me how to make Glass Noodle Salad and then she made some other food and I ate dinner on a mat on the floor with my family. We talked and laughed and I played with my sister Baimon until about 9 pm. Then I went up to my room and watched to episodes of Gilmore Girls before trying to fall asleep. I woke up at three in the morning with what I think is food poisoning. I was up all night and am still not feeling to good. I think it was something in the Glass Noodle Salad. I hope I recover soon. I am also hoping that either today or tomorrow I get an Easter care package from my family. It would lift my spirits up a lot after my bad nights sleep. I can't wait until  next week when I get to go to Chiang Mai and hang with all my friends one last time. It will be great and then I will come back and have 19 days in Chiang Kham before leaving this beautiful country.


All is well, Dacotah Smith

Family Day

The day after the big party my family spent the day spring cleaning. They are also turning the storage room downstairs into a room for the baby, complete with a brand new air conditioner, I wish they had put it in my room but I'm am out of here soon enough. I sat down with them and talked and my host brother told me that they are planning a goodbye party for me. Complete with Thai BBQ and the whole big family. I thought this was so cute and thoughtful, it was certainly unexpected. After hanging with the family for a few hours, and since my baby host sister is sick and wants nothing but her mom I retreated to my room. I made a countdown with each day on a post-it note and stuck it to my wall, not thinking about the fan that later blew a few of them off the wall. I also started packing, I know it is super early but I was bored. I put together what gifts go to who and I packed them. I also separated clothes I'm bringing home from clothes that I'm going to leave here. Next week is my last week with my YE family and I'm planning to make it a good one. I can't wait to see my family and be back in my comfort zone but it will be a sad goodbye.

House Party Pics

My host mom and some teachers

Party Food

Fish served the Thai way

One big happy family

Family #2

Karoke

Host sister and Grandma

New houses and everyone under them for the party

My mad host sister with her mom

Party

One big happy family