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From
Deb:
Saturday,
January
10,
2004
11:50
PM
Hello
all.
Just
to
let
you
know
that
I
have
arrived
safe
and
sound
in
Thailand.
Really
quite
an
overwhelming
several
days
of
travel,
but
I
am
here
unscathed!
Slept
a
long
time
last
night,
and
awoke
to
lot's
of
strong
tea,
a
very
challenging
phone
call
to
the
hubby
(successfully),
and
off
to
visit
some
Buddhist
temples.
 I
am
staying
at
a
very
sweet
guest
house,
with
a
lovely
swimming
pool
and
little
meditation
spots
scattered
throughout
the
gardens
and
grounds.
Hope
all
are
well...I'll
write
more
when
I
have
some
adventures
to
share!
Love,
Debbie
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From Deb:
Thursday,
January
15,
2004
9:19
PM
Hello Amigos.
This
is
a
trip...really!!
What
an
amazing
place.
The
first
several
days
were
quite
overwhelming
to
say
the
least...no
bag
at
the
airport,
no
hotel
guy
waiting
for
me...all
that
type
of
crap,
however
the
Thai
people
are
so
amazing.
I
had
2
different
Thai
women
actually
give
me
a
baht,
dial
phone
numbers
for
me
on
these
crazy
phones,
and
help
me
find
my
luggage
and
get
to
the
hotel!
True
generosity
and
kindness
abounds.
My
hotel
is
really
amazing.
for
$14
a
night,
I
have
a
pool,
my
own
western
flush
toilet,
(kinda
a
big
deal
here
because
they
typically
use
foot
pad
toilets...where
you
squat
over
a
hole
in
the
floor
and
flush
with
a
bucket
of
water...ahhh)...a
TV
set
with
HBO,
and
a
phone.
This
has
been
a
lifesaver
because
frank
can
call.
Compared
to
my
young
hippie
traveler
pals,
I
am
spending
an
insane
amount,
however
my
belief
is
that
I'm
older,
more
crotchety,
less
willing
to
sleep
with
bedbugs
at
this
age,
and
I
like
my
comforts
whilst
on
my
solo
journey!
I'm
done
doing
the
hardcore
travel
thing,
and
it
is
a
relief
to
come
home
to
my
little
abode
after
the
end
of
a
wacky
day!
I
still
can't
figure
out
the
damn
payphones,
or
my
phone
card
but
I
figure
it
is
only
week
one.
I
have
met
some
amazing
people
while
here
from
around
the
world.
Took
a
Thai
cooking
class
and
laughed
a
lot.
The
Thai
women
instructors
are
a
riot...really
strong
minded
women.
We
made
about
6
different
dishes
and
ate
like
fools
at
the
end.
I
went
hiking
in
a
beautiful
national
park
outside
of
Chiang
Mai.
We
swam
under
waterfalls,
got
lost
in
the
jungle
and
breathed
some
fresh
air.
It
was
wonderful.
There
have
been
some
very
inspiring
conversations
with
Buddhist
monks
who
are
interested
in
learning
English.
The
concepts
of
Buddhism
are
so
simple,
but
so
important
and
inspiring.
I
am
working
on
acceptance
and
awareness...lot's
to
learn.
The
Buddhist
temples
here
are
phenomenal.
Really
fabulous.
I’ll
try
to
send
photos
soon.
I
have
never
encountered
so
many
gracious,
humble
and
kind
individuals.
I
feel
very
safe
here
on
my
own.
I
meet
my
friend
Ariel
in
a
few
days
here
and
we're
off
to
Pai
(a
mountain
village
north)
for
elephant
riding,
trekking,
and
who
knows!!
I'd
love
to
hear
about
you
all!
Send
mail
about
life
at
home.
Hope
all's
well.
You
are
all
in
my
thoughts.
Love,
Deb |
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From Deb:
Monday,
January
26,
2004
9:10
PM
Hello
all.
Greetings
from
Pai.
Can't
remember
if
I've
written
about
this
place
yet...days
seems
to
flow
together
here.
My
girlfriend
Ariel
was
here
for
a
week,
and
we
experienced
some
amazing
things
together...probably
several
encounters
I
wouldn't
have
braved
on
my
own.
I
think
I've
already
mentioned
the
driving
along
the
countryside
via
motorbike...I
felt
like
such
a
Harley
Davidson
girl
cruising
along
with
the
wind
in
my
hair...actually,
we
only
got
up
to
about
30
mph
tops!
The
best
part
was
figuring
out
the
gearshifts.
I
felt
like
such
a
road
warrior!
We
soaked
in
hot
springs
in
the
mountains
and
meandered
through
the
bamboo
forests
in
search
of
a
legendary
waterfall.
After
several
hours,
we
discovered
our
attempts
were
futile
as
the
waterfall
was
a
full
day
hike...we
waded
in
the
river,
and
chocked
the
experience
up
to
fa
rang
(Westerner)
ignorance...well
the
little
Thai
farmers
kept
pointing
us
in
that
direction,
so
we
just
kept
trucking
along!!
I
experienced
my
first
few
Thai
massages...oh,
what
a
treat.
I
was
contorted,
walked
on,
pried
with,
and
cracked
up
the
yahoo...it
was
both
a
painstaking
and
beautiful
thing
once
I
surrendered
to
it.
I
felt
like
a
relaxed
noodle
afterwards.
I
laughed
my
ass
off...
as
the
last
few
minutes
of
massage
were
nearly
complete,
in
the
background
I
hear
Lionel
Ritchie's
"Hello...is
it
you
I'm
looking
for"
in
a
really
bad
Thai
accent.
Ah...the
70's
cover
tunes
oh
plenty
here!
The
Thai
massages
are
much
more
rough
than
Western
massage...I
asked
for
"gentle"
and
I
think
my
practitioner
thought
I
was
a
wussy,
because
she
giggled
with
her
Thai
friends.
A
few
days
ago
Ariel
and
I
went
on
a
guided
trek
through
the
countryside.
It
was
just
she,
I
and
our
guide,
Mr.
O...he
knew
about
5
English
phrases,
but
turned
out
to
be
an
amazing
guide.
He
could
identify
the
local
flora
and
fauna,
picked
out
tropical
fruit
on
our
path
for
us
to
try,
and
made
us
little
bamboo
hats
to
wear
for
sun
protection.
There
were
some
moments
in
the
trek
that
were
serious
bush
wakin...I
mean
some
thoughts
going
through
my
head
like,
"where
the
fuck
is
this
guy
taking
us
to...but
oh,
Mr.
O
came
through
as
we
happened
upon
lovely
fields
growing
acres
and
acres
or
garlic,
onion,
and
cilantro...other
stuff
that
smelled
wonderful
but
he
couldn't
translate.
We
looked
like
little
Robin
Hoods
with
our
caps.
We
had
a
good
laugh
at
our
own
expense.
In
the
afternoon
Mr.
O
took
us
on
a
jaunt
to
a
local
Lisu
village.
There
are
only
20,000
Lisu
indigenous
people
left
on
the
planet.
They
live
in
China,
Burma,
India,
and
Thailand.
That
day
happened
to
be
Chinese
New
Year,
and
the
Lisu
were
having
a
major
celebration
in
their
village.
Ariel
and
I
were
brought
into
the
community
like
queens.
We
were
offered
beer
with
ice
cubes
and
quickly
drawn
into
the
circle
of
elder
women
dancers.
We
must
have
danced
with
them
for
over
an
hour...a
simple
kind
of
hora
like
dance...one
foot
over
the
next...to
some
type
of
string
instrument
and
a
pan
pipe.
The
women
were
clad
in
traditional
bright
red
and
pink
costumes,
and
the
men
had
regular
Western
clothes
and
"Hawaii
5
O"
type
sunglasses
on.
It
was
all
so
surreal
and
amazing.
We
were
dancing
around
the
ceremonial
offerings,
which
included
bottles
of
soda
and
booze,
photos
of
the
Thai
King
and
Queen,
flowers,
and
other
candles
and
knick-knacks.
It
was
so
special
to
be
the
only
white
people
participating
in
this
very
ancient
tradition.
I
felt
lucky,
thankful
to
Mr.
O,
and
blessed
to
have
been
a
part
of
such
a
heartfelt
welcoming.
Needless
to
say
that
Mr.
O
downed
a
few
too
many
glasses
of
Thai
whiskey.
Our
rides
back
to
the
village
were
precarious
at
best,
but
ahh...Mr.
O
came
through
with
a
real
cultural
experience.
And
did
I
mention
the
elephant
riding?
Well,
the
next
day
Ariel
and
I
braved
our
way
to
an
elephant
camp
outside
of
town.
We
rode
these
gentle,
majestic
beasts
for
hours
through
the
bamboo
forest.
They
are
slow,
methodical,
and
it
felt
like
I
was
the
Queen
Sheba
riding
on
her
neck
with
my
legs
dangling
between
her
immense
flapping
ears.
Her
skin
was
furry
and
leathery.
When
she
sneezed
she
let
our
a
bellowing
call
from
her
trunk,
and
sprayed
me
with
some
type
of
elephant
snot...oh,
well...just
a
part
of
it.
When
she
roared
out,
I
really
knew
that
I
was
on
a
phenomenal
creature.
Probably
the
most
spectacular
part
was
riding
through
the
river
with
the
elephants.
The
elephant
trainers
got
the
elephants
to
crouch
down
to
get
us
wet
in
the
water.
We
all
tried
our
best
to
stay
on
the
animals
by
hanging
onto
her
ears...I
prided
myself
on
doing
what
felt
like
a
"bucking
bronco"
act
and
managed
to
stay
on
her
back
during
the
whole
escapade.
I
have
photos
that
document
the
whole
experience.
They
are
a
riot.
Later
we
ended
the
day
with
a
soak
in
some
sulfur
fed
baths
on
the
elephant
farm.
All
in
all
a
fabulous
day!!!
Now
that
Ariel
is
gone,
I'm
contemplating
attending
an
intensive
4-day
meditation
retreat
concentrating
on
the
basic
tenets
of
mindfulness.
The
days
are
rigorous...
probably
mentally
as
well
as
physically
challenging,
but
I
think
I
may
need
to
pursue
this
quest,
as
a
part
of
this
journey
is
really
about
learning
to
quiet
my
mind.
I'll
keep
you
posted!
I'm
on
my
own
after
mi
amiga
has
departed.
Today
I
may
hit
the
local
swimming
pool...could
be
kinda
dodgy
but
it
is
warm
and
I
feel
like
a
lounge.
Keep
the
notes
from
home
a
comin’
as
they
help
me
through
the
lonely
moments...I
miss
mi
hubby
somethin’
fierce
and
count
the
days
until
he
arrives...but
there
is
something
really
rewarding
about
doing
this
journey
solo.
Even
through
the
crappy
days,
there
is
a
lesson
there
for
me
to
contemplate.
Much
love
and
blessings!
Deb
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From Deb:
Friday,
February
13,
2004
1:50
AM
Greetings
one
and
all.
I
am
back
in
Chiang
Mai
after
several
weeks
up
North
in
the
Mae
Hong
Song
region
of
Thailand.
These
last
few
weeks
were
a
serious
mental
exercise...some
days
good,
some
quite
lonely,
and
others
really
amazing.
I
made
a
conscious
decision
to
stay
put
in
the
town
of
Pai.
This
place
is
truly
chill...just
enough
fa
rang
(white
folks)
to
feel
comfy
on
my
own,
but
still
a
true
Thai
village
with
a
large
percentage
of
Indigenous
Tribal
presence.
I
decide
to
take
part
in
a
4
night
meditation
workshop...I'm
feeling
really
up
to
this
experience
and
open
to
whatever
the
retreat
brings
me.
I
meet
the
"Master"
the
day
before
I
traipse
off
into
the
hinterlands...he
strikes
me
as
a
bit
of
a
Thai
Nazi...not
really
the
soft,
cuddly,
Buddha
type
I
had
hoped
to
teach
me
all
about
mindfulness
and
quieting
the
mind.
I
decide
to
follow
my
heart
and
just
wing
it
by
singing
up.
I
am
one
of
3
participants
with
the
"Master,"
or
(I
believe
he
enjoys
priding
himself
by
his
other
given
name)
"Tiger."
There
were
a
few
times
when
I
had
questions
and
I
just
couldn't
bring
myself
to
say
"excuse
me
Mr.
Tiger,"
or
rather
"hey
Tiger
what
was
that
thing
you
said
about
letting
go?"
Anywho,
needless
to
say
that
El
Senior
Tiger
was
a
hack.
His
English
was
so
bad
that
it
took
me
2
days
to
realize
when
he
was
talking
about
"the
monkey
or
mono"
he
was
referring
to
the
mind.
We
practiced
this
pseudo
yoga
stretching
thing
called
"body
twist"
which
resembled
more
of
Thai
yoga.
Before
each
stance
he
would
sternly
say,
"stand
by!!!!"
and
then
proceed
with
"go"
when
he
wanted
some
movement
from
us.
One
woman
was
so
disgusted
with
his
lack
of
instruction...really
no
give
and
take
conversations...that
she
left
after
one
day.
She
asked
for
a
partial
discount
and
the
Yogi
(ha
ha)
stated
(from
a
lotus
position)
"go
get
yourself
a
lawyer."
Needless
to
say
I
wasn't
very
excited
to
spend
my
last
2
days
alone
with
this
guy...
But,
I
do...with
the
intention
of
learning
something
from
this
experience.
And
I
actually
came
away
with
some
good
tools
about
practicing
meditation...and
some
good
lessons
about
expectations.
I
made
friends
with
myself
and
the
solitary
ALONE
TIME
I
had...I
mean
alone...sola...just
me,
a
gecko,
a
mangy
cat
and
the
Tiger.
The
best
part
of
each
day
was
that
I
would
receive
a
traditional
Thai
massage
and
then
get
to
take
an
herbal
shower
with
lemon
grass,
ginger,
kafir
lime,
rosemary,
and
other
yummy
herbs.
The
mixture
is
put
into
a
huge
Terra
cotta
pot
and
filled
with
hot
water.
The
goal
is
to
take
the
water
and
pour
it
over
yourself
with
a
bucket.
I
decide
to
fill
the
pot
with
more
water
and
step
on
inside
of
it
like
a
bath...since
I
just
about
fit
in
it!
The
staff
thought
that
was
really
silly.
In
spite
of
the
guru's
lack
of
personal
integrity,
I
came
away
from
this
experience
with
some
good
insight
about
myself,
a
new
found
appreciation
for
a
solitary
existence,
and
a
beautiful
lesson
about
staying
open,
rather
than
being
attached
to
any
one
particular
outcome....oh,
and
a
huge
appetite...no
food
after
12:00
except
fruit.
While
I
was
trying
to
glean
some
type
of
revelation
from
"Master,"
I
unexpectedly
and
surprisingly
learned
what
I
needed
to
from
Me!
My
experiences
after
the
retreat
were
magic.
I
met
a
community
of
travelers
staying
outside
of
town
and
was
warmly
invited
into
their
little
family.
We
motorbiked
up
to
a
small
village
north
of
Pai
called
Soppong,
where
we
spent
days
frolicking
in
the
river,
and
exploring
ancient
caves
filled
with
stalactites
and
stalagmites.
At
dusk
at
the
entrance
to
the
cave
we
watched
as
hundreds
of
thousands
of
swifts
swarmed
into
the
cave
to
lodge
for
the
night.
The
ski
looked
like
it
was
filled
with
locusts.
It
was
a
lovely
experience.
I'm
picking
my
wonderful
hubby
up
from
the
airport
in
Bangkok
in
a
few
days.
Can't
wait
to
see
his
smiling
face!
Hope
you
all
are
healthy
and
well.
Much
love,
Debbie |
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