A Perfect Saturday

I knew today was going to be beautiful. I was supposed to work all day but then some things changed and I had the whole day free. Sigh. My friend Cortney invited me to hike up Doi Sutep. When she first told me about it I thought she was crazy but with my draw towards insane things I was in. This is a 13 km hike up a steep, steep mountain.

I was out on my motorbike at 6.30a (haven't seen that hours in months) and on my way. Boy did I make a discovery! People are awake at that hour! And doing beautiful, wonderful things. I witnessed the giving of the alms (people feeding the monks) all along my route. I navigated my way through crowded markets (who's shopping at 6.30?!). I avoided getting in a wreck (had my first one yesterday). It was a great morning already!

I spent the two hours hiking talking to a wonderful woman named Hannah (no I'm not a narcissist, that's really her name). She is stunning and full of life and ideas and she's here teaching social science to monks. What a sweet job. We talked about everything and the hike was over before I knew it.

THEN (yes it gets better) we went to an organic market. Steamed pumpkin, bananas, fresh tofu (for 40 cents!), guava, snap peas. Wow. The best breakfast money can buy (and buy for $1.50). And I thought I was going to buy some cereal this morning... I love surprises.

So, if that wasn't a mass endorsement for living in Thailand, I don't know what will convince you. Oh! And we hitchhiked down. First time ever. I rode in the back with a chain saw and lumber, but it was a ride. Boy is this ever life in the sun...

Off to the flower festival.

Also, I have a real problem with this headline: STIMULUS DEAL REACHED: $780-827,000,000,000.00

Does that seem like a deal to anyone? Let's talk about this.