Chang Kong, Thailand...on my way to the Mekong and Laos!

I am on the mend! In Thailand the pharmacists are the people you go to for your minor ailments, so at my lowest--when I was really considering that it was possible to die from a stomach bug--I literally dragged myself into a pharmacy and she hooked me up with antibiotics and these magic packets of powders. Im still not 100% feeling fabulous and im off of dairy, fruit, fruit juice, booze and spicy foods for a little longer (which is killing me...this is the land of super tasty delicious spicy food, cheap beer, to-die-for-melt-in-your-mouth-fruit and fresh juices...sigh toast, rice and vegetables, gravy and noodle soup and plain water again yum yum...), but I am mobile again and looking forward to food which is AWESOME.

Took my thai cooking course Baan Thai! Turns out it was great I ran out on it on Wed because we went to the garden site (instead of the inner city site) on Friday, which was beautiful...absolutely perfect! Three great couples: one from Ireland, one from Holland and one from the states but leaving in Mongolia working for the peace corps. We went to the market, dug up thai ginger and picked lemongrass and eggplant from the garden, made 6 dishes, drank cold beer, had great conversation and ate the best food Ive had so far in Thailand....a great day :) One of the dishes I learned how to make was khao soi, so I can share the magic when i can get back!


Cutting lemon grass from the garden and sampling my tasty eats!




I left Chiang Mai this morning for Chang Rai and am in a small border town now called Chang Kong (sp?). I head across the border tomorrow morning to Laos, then hop on a slow boat down the Mekong for a couple days. Eventually I will end up in Luang Prabang...

I have some great stories about the trip here to the border but they will wait for another time...either here or ask me about it later. One thing Ive found out is that I really truely love people...meeting people...talking with people....everyone is so different, with so many stories and I learn from each one. Its only been a few weeks and I already have been touched by a few people I will miss a lot. (Im definitely planning a trip to Arkansas when I get back...oh and a small lake in Jasper :)

So I am heading for the Mekong...will update in a few days!

--Anna