Day Nine (Sunday, April 15th)

Tax day in USA. Ok, officially this year tax day is April 17th. But you get the idea. I hope my return has been deposited into my checking account by the time I return. This trip isn't free.

Teri and Jamie take Day Two of the Trek. Day One was two days ago but that's besides the point.

We are excited to get out of town because getting soaked is getting old. Apparently, the water is unescapable as all the villagers along the way to the road delight in trying to soak the tour van.

We're lucky that the tour company was nice enough to "make up" Day Two, given our, um, ok, my abrupt departure from Day One. Tung is still our guide but we are also joined by the owner of the tour company and his family. It feels like we're part of family outing which is nice.

On the walk to the waterfall we see some protected bears. They don't quite looks like USA bears.



Then we get to the waterfall. There are tons of people and it feels a bit touristy but since so few of the tourists are American it feels more acceptable.

Tung starts to take us up the steep path to the waterfall. I am huffing and puffing but making the climb. This time, for a change, it's Teri who is tired. She hasn't slept well, she feels lightheaded and she decides not to make the climb. The tables have turned for Princess and Jamie today and Jamie secretly delights in finally being the one with more energy than her sister. I was so invigorated by the experience (of climbing, but also out-energizing my sister) that I bounded up the trail. Tung had to ask me to slow down.

We return to one of the pools below the waterfall to use the roap swing. Teri is still feeling sluggish so I approach the tree by myself. Jamie leads the way today! A little boy is manning the rope and he hands me the vine. I nervously step forward. Vine in hand. Ok, Jamie, you're in a bikini, and there are lots of tourists here and there's a long line. One, two, three, Go. I'm still on the tree. Haven't jumped. Teri had better be ready with that camera. One, Two, Three. Nevermind the countdown, I just go. I hold onto the roap, swing out and plop into the water. It's not exactly top form or anything but I did it. When I splash into the water, yep, my bikini is practically off! I fix it before I surface. The last thing I want is to be "That topless American" in someone's photo album.

The Approach



The Descent


The Splash


Eventually I suceed in getting Teri to go too.











There are some younger English speaking tourists at the waterfall and I start off with the standard opener get to know you question:

Me: Where are you from?

Them: Minnesota.

Unbelievable. I'm in the middle of Laos and I meet Minnesotans. They are Hmong, actually but still, Minnesotans. I'm laughing. I can't wait to tell Robert.

Jamie and the Minnesotans jump off waterfall behind the rope swing. Even though it looks easy, it's actually more frightening.

We leave the waterfall at the same time as just about everyone else so that we can see the parade and Miss Lao will be revealed. We have a great view from our hotel balcony. Teri has a telephoto lense. Most of the parade is just a more organized version of the drenching that has been going on in the streets but then we see the Miss Lao float. Teri and I, being so vain ourselves, are curious what the prettiest lady in the country looks like. Here comes the float. And Miss Lao is facing the other direction. Well, she has a nice back.





We take amusement in seeing some of the Mister Miss Lao shemales.





Other Parade Snaps:


Is anyone exempt from being soaked? Apparently not.




















This is a nice series that Teri shot.















That evening we're at the Night Market, discussing pillowcases when the electricity goes out. In the whole town. For the second time. Luckily, I have my little light/clock hanging from my belt. Once again, my dorky preparations save the day. Ah, to be so smug so often. We shop until we run out of currency. Which appears to be theme on this trip.

We were supposed to meet the Minnesotans at some bar, The Hive? but Teri is still feeling a little slow.

I plead with her to go party it up, but she resists. That's totally not true, btw. Teri will always be the party girl.

This day was more exciting than I made it sound. Somehow I feel I have lost my adventure telling mojo.

Want more waterfall and parade pics? You got it. Click on the picture of Teri below (and if you thought it was me, Jamie, then I'm flattered) to see more pictures.

Day Nine (4.15.07)

Day Eight (Saturday, April 14th)

Perhaps you are wondering why and how I have the time to write on this blog while I am on vacation. Well, right now Teri and I are hiding out in an internet cafe because we just can't deal with being outside anymore.

Let me explain. This week is the Lao New Year. I'm not sure the reason, but part of the tradition is for people to soak each other in the streets. I am not talking about little sprays or anything like that. It's perfectly OK for a perfect stranger to come up to someone and just drop a bucket of water all over you. Good thing the water is warm. At first it is fun, and gives me another chance to be smug because I am wearing my quick dry outfit and Teri is not. In fact, she is wearing white short shorts which once soaked, proves to be a problem. We won't be visiting the temples today!





But, after a while, it gets a little annoying. And now they are also spraying talcum powder. I especially don't like tourist on tourist dousing. I am very curious about the reason for all this ritual but at this point, do not want to be a part of it.

We decide to get massages. Which are available on every street block for very little money. It is amazing. Amazing. I am so happy. So so happy. Except for Gwen Stefani blasting in the street. I am going to get one every day. Heck, I might even get another one later tonight.

Then we have a little lunch.



And run out of all currency. Those damn cash only Visas we had to get to enter the country really foiled my plan to be prepared for everything because really have no money and because of the New Year, obtaining any cash proves difficult. Plus, the last thing we want to do is wander the streets looking.

We find a place with a TWENTY PERCENT mark up but we are in need of cash, quiet and internet, all of which are provided in this place where I am now. Note to self: Pay back lunch place. Don't want to get blacklisted at shops around here. I need my massages.

We walk back to our hotel. Someone calls out to us "Hey Miss America." I've been Teri's sister long enough to know they're calling to her.

We decide we need quiet and go to Joma which is the closest thing this town has to a Starbucks. Unfortunately the only seats remaining are underneath an air conditioner which is cold and noisy. So we head outside, where is it hot and noisy. We both read for a bit.

Admittedly, I have not been much of a night owl on this trip. Traveling wears me out and sometimes the night scene doesn't really seem particularly authentic to the locale. But, tonight I promise Teri I'll put on one of her pretty dresses and go out. We head to restaurant and ten minutes into our meal the power goes out in the whole entire town.

I was in NYC for the blackout of August 14th, 2003 and now I'm here for this. Well, I guess we won't be paying for dinner with a credit card. We eat by candlelight. So romantic, Teri and Jamie.

So, what can we do with no power? Teri suggests a foot massage. They last 60 minutes. I can't imagine what you could possibly do to feet for an hour but whatever, the power is out. I sit down and the massage guys starts to touch my foot. I start laughing hysterically. This is going to be a very long 60 minutes. Eventually I'm able to supress my giggles and enjoy it.

During the foot massage the power goes back on so we head to a wine bar. The wine bar is closing but some random guy named Pat is able to keep it open a little longer because he really wants to buy Teri a glass of wine. And I'm the sister so I'll get one as well but Teri definitely bated this one. He's very drunk, keeps on looking at himself in the mirror but believe it or not, he knows a lot about architecture so Teri carries on the best conversation she can with a drunk guy.

We also meet two Belgian tourists. I love my sister, I really do, but I have to admit, it's nice to talk to someone else besides her. Even if he is drunk and self-absorbed.

Pat says goodbye to the Belgian tourists by picking them up a spinning them around. I swear if this guy attempts anything more than "Nice to meet you" I'm running out.

We head back to the hotel. When we walk into the room we wonder if we are alone. I haven't told you yet about the itsy bitsy spider that's been lurking in our bathroom. This hairy thing is neithy itsy or bitsy and I've taken to using the guest toilet in the lobby instead of heading in there.

Teri successfully manages to scare the crap out of me twice by brushing my leg and making me think it's the spider. We decide that we will use our mosquito nets tonight.





It's been a fun long day and we fall asleep quickly.

I did wake up in the middle of the night needing to um, go. I am feeling wimpy as ever and run into the lobby and use the toilet there. Teri is woken up by this and is very grumpy that I left the door open when I ran to the lobby. I was leaving the door open for the spider to leave, not return.

For more pictures of the day, which mostly include drenched Lao folks and tourists, see below. Click on the picture of Teri looking unhappy to see the whole album.

Day Eight (4.14.07)

Day Seven (Friday, April 13th)

I'm not sure if Friday the Thirteenth has any significance in Lao, but some of the events of the day made me think that Friday the Thirteenth lurks worldwide.

I should note that I am typing from a very sticky keyboard so there may be some typos. Apologies.

Teri and I headed out in the wilderness with Tung, our guide. Teri and I were wearing trail shoes and sneakers respectively, Tung was wearing flip flops. We had one pack between the two of us and I offered to carry it noting that the first part of the trail was flat before we reached the mountains.















As we started, a little Lao boy ran up to me shyly, touched my arm, laughed and ran away. It's kind of cool to be fascinating to someone.

Teri and I must be faster than the average traveler on this trek because in no time we arrive at the first village. We dropped our packs and explored. Because of the New Year, all the kids were out of school and as we walked around the village there were usually about 10 children just following us and laughing and giggling and then running away and hiding. Very cute.













Teri had the chance to help thatch a roof. We joked about the poor soul who stands underneath that part of the roof when it rains. They will get wet.



I wonder if they get Desperate Housewives here. What would the Kamu village make of Wisteria Lane?




We left the village and continued upwards. My plan worked perfectly because at this point, it was time for Teri to take the pack. Our guide showed us a plant that is used to treat malaria and I considered putting some of it in the pack. Both Teri and I are taking the Malaria medication and it is making both of us a little sick. But being a little sick is better than having Malaria, I guess.

As we leave the village I think to myself how "real" that felt. Almost so real, a part of me joked that as soon as we left all the "actors" call their agents to file their sessions fees for our visit and they pack up and check into Le Meridien Laos. Oh, I just can't supress my inner cynic.

We got to the top of the mountain. Our guide put out a wonderful lunch and as soon as he did it started to rain.



Jamie can't wait to eat the whole fish. For those of you who don't know Jamie doesn't eat any fish. Or seafood. Nothing. No, not even lobster, or oysters. Nothing. If it swam or lived in the ocean she doesn't eat it. That went over so well in Asia. But even Teri wasn't brave enough to eat the fish. Tung got a nice fish to himself that day.





This was my chance to be smug. You see, I packed smart for this trip. I got Nylon and Polyester clothes, all quick dry. Not the most fashionable, admittedly, but smart. Teri on the other hand, brought cute little dresses made of cotton, and sandals and mascara. "This is who I am" she claims.

So, we're soaking wet on the top of the mountain. Teri is shivering. I am such a good sister, I give her one of my quick dry shirts. I literally gave her the shirt off my back. Now, she is wearing all pink which is funny. As we go through the bag I see that she brought her cell phone, also pink, and we take pics.



Jamie, on a conference call from the top of a mountain in Cambodia. Calling in a JRO to Barbara Wittig or getting a product knowledge question answered by Bob Cordell. Or just blatantly ignoring Rod Brown's orders?



It stops raining and we hike down the mountain. Actually, it's more like slide. I slip down about three feet on my feet, then I'm on my bum and then I'm just laughing. I have the pack on for the way down, clever me. Tung gives me a piece of bamboo to use as a walking stick. I keep sliding. Tung gives me another piece of bamboo and i joke that I practically have crutches but it does make the slide down easier.





Teri, of course, is ahead of me, steadfast. As I'm sliding down the hill I practically slide into a cow, who Teri is busy photographing. The cow has a wooden bell on it's neck and I am reminded of the cows and bells I saw in Switzerland. This is a very different cow. We have no originality, we call the cow Bessie.



View from the Village as we approach it



We get to the village and are led to a hose to wash off. The color of the water (brown) has me wondering if I'm going to get dirtier than I started by using it. It washes the dirt clumps off but sort of stains the skin like a fake tanner. Teri loves it.

Two girls are playing with a lizard. They have it on a leash and it's kind of cute that they seem to be walking the lizard. But then they spin the lizard around on the rope and it's not so cute anymore.



We walk around a little bit. There are animals all over the place. I see the goats and I think about my pal Ellen in Durham with her goats. I miss you Ellen!




Then I wonder what everyone else back home is doing at that very moment in time and then I realize it's 3:00 in the morning and my interest in what everyone else is doing subsides because they are likely sleeping.

More pics from our meander





Tung walks us to the school. It is white and new and doesn't really match the home grown vibe of the rest of the town. Apparently it was sponsored or something by a group in Japan. I have Teri photograph the name of the school so we can read more about it later.



That is one thing about this trip which is a little frustrating for me. I only determined that I was going two weeks before I left leaving me very little time to "study up" on what I might see. Of course, I'm learning quite a bit as I go along but I do like to get all the background on politics, history and so forth before I go. If nothing else, I want to learn the local customs so I can avoid being another rude, ignorant tourist.

One custom I learned about is never to leave your chopsticks vertical in a dish. It looks too much like the incense sticks that they burn for the dead.

We also explore a Hmong Village right next to the Kamu village. The most noticeable difference is that the Hmong houses sit right on the ground whereas the Kamu houses are up on stilts. Tung tells us that Hmong have many wives. Polygamists! Which reminds me, when does Big Love start up again?


It rains again but this time Teri and I are in the shelter of the community meeting area. It's a short shower, as many of them are down here, and the sun comes out. And then the kids come out. Some of them without their clothes! They're slipping and sliding and having a great time.



We all decide to nap. We wake up and again the children flock to us. My head is feeling a little achey so I decide to keep napping.

Jamie's Retreat into the Hut. Little do we know that this is a pivotal moment in the day.



While I am napping Teri goes from being Princess to Mother Theresa. She is braiding the girls hair, playing games, and doing cartwheels and handstands. The kids try to do handstands but end up doing headstands. Which has got to hurt on the cement.





There was also a bug. A really big one.



And some fruit. Also really big.




When Teri comes into our, um, hut? to check on me the kids start banging on the walls. Wow. Teri is in demand with this crowd.

But, what Teri find in the hut is me, and at that point it's not pretty.

I went back to try to nap. I hear the rooster cocka doodle doing and I really hope that thing goes to sleep at night. If not, I wonder if the townspeople will notice if it's missing in the morning.

My headache worsens. My body is still a little screwed up from being 11 hours ahead of North Carolina. The day prior my Malaria medication decided to get out of my body via gagging my throat and sending me to the restroom. We've just hiked and have been very hot and very cold.

I also start to feel feverish. And nauseous. And in addition to all the physical stuff, I know that my pretty little head is also part of what I'm feeling physically. Sometimes, when I'm not feeling so well, I drive it. And without realizing it, that's exactly what I did. I completely spun my thoughts and physical state out of control.

I am having a headache. About every two years I get a migraine. Maybe this is a migraine. I can imagine the white bag where the migraine medication is. In North Carolina. Maybe I have Malaria. I am in a third world country. On the floor of a hut. I am dirty. I smell. My wet socks hang above my head and drip on me. If I can't be in my own bed, I want to be in the heavenly bed at the Westin. With 600 count white sheets. Why didn't I get that trip insurance? What if I have to be airlifted to Bangkok? That would be kind of cool actually if I wasn't feeling so poorly. I really think I am delirious.

Needless to say, I start to cry.

This is when I summon Mother Theresa from the kids. She's understanding but urges me to ride it out and calm down - she can sense that I'm pushing it (probably the tears gave it away). Even though she's right and I know it I am pretty nasty with her. It's the headache mostly that's making me nuts but all the other stuff doesn't help.

Tung comes in with some medicine. Which, given the setting makes me a little nervous. Thank goodness, it looks like aspirin and I take it.

I think about eating. I sit in front of a plate of food that looks great but feel the need to run out of the hut and vomit.

At this point I make the decision to summon the van and get out of here. I'm concerned my condition will worsen - (I know, it all sounds dramatic and silly in retrospect "my condition" but at the time I genuinely felt terrible and thought I might be getting ill in a significant way and made the most reasonable decision I could make under the circumstances).

You can tell Mother Theresa is a little upset but she's my sis and won't leave me alone. Nor does she want to be alone here.

It will take the van an hour and half to get here.

In the meantime, I go back into the hut. Tung comes and rubs my head while he talks to Teri. Teri is using her affected slow voice which generally annoys me but right now it's kind of soothing.

Of course, as the van pulls up, I am feeling much better and had practically drifted off to sleep. I'm not sure if it was the aspirin, or the head rub, or perhaps the thought that the van was coming that calmed me down.

We get in the van. The road out is not paved. Sometimes it's not a road. If I didn't already have a headache and a stomachache after this I would. There are times when it's so bouncy that my whole body bounces off the seat, I am airborne. I have to laugh at the situation. What else can I do? Teri is a little annoyed because she thinks we look like idiots calling the van to get me and then having me laugh. I'm not laughing at the humor, I'm laughing at the hilarity. There is a difference.

We get back to town. We find a hotel room at the Villa Santi. I am thrilled. Bed. Teri is like "It's 10:30 - let's go out. I'm not just going to sleep again early." Ummmmm, Teri, I still feel like hell. She's annoyed and grumpy and goes to sleep. Understandably.

My last words to her are "I forgive you for not going waterskiing with me the other morning."

For the full collection of the pics from this memorable day click on the picture below to see the full album.

Day Seven (4.13.07)

Day Six (Thursday, April 12th)

Again, I wake up REALLY early. With all that sleep yesterday, maybe I shouldn't be so surprised. We are at the airport hotel so there's really very little I can do. I read in the bathroom for an hour or two.

At 6:30 the gym opens. I decide to have a workout. Once again, I realize that there are gyms in North Carolina, one in my building actually, but there weren't too many other compelling options.

I do some cardio. Then I try to lift. I pick up some 10's. Holy Smokes. Less than a week has gone by and these seem really really heavy. How did I lose the little strength I acquired so quickly? Then I realize that the weights are in Kilos and I decide to just skip the workout. It's too mentally taxing to have to do all these conversions and after that cardio, I'm not feeling very well.

In fact, I go back to the hotel room and start hugging the toilet a little bit. And that Malaria pill I took a few hours ago, well, that's no longer in my system.

Teri hears it all is like "Jamie, what are you doing? Be quiet." I respond "Um, Teri, I'm puking." That doesn't really make her any less annoyed at being woken. I head to the business center to e-mail some friends who are Drs. about what to do. The medication is no longer in me, so should I take another? But, if it makes me sick, then will this just happen again?

After checking out, Teri and I head to the airport and zip up to Laos. We get to the airport and all that cash that I had put aside for Laos is taken for my Visa. And Teri's. I'm annoyed. I didn't forsee this. I hate hate hate paying money for money but now that I'm out, I'll have to do that.

Our hotel picks us up. In an old white Mercedes.

We have a lovely little lunch. We are happy.

We take a long walk. Get lost. Teri is snapping photos. Click on the picture of the girl with the bucket below to see the photos from that walk.

Day Six (4.12.07)

I am glad to be here. And, we learn that it's the New Year. Which delights us. Little do we know.

Tomorrow we take the our trek. Excited!

Day Five (Wednesday, April 11th)

When I think about it, this day is a little bit embarrassing. Because so much of it was spent sleeping. But, it seemed to be something that both Teri and I needed (albeit for different reasons).

I wake up at The Manathai at an obscenely early hour. I have no idea what time zone my body really is in. I force myself back to sleep an wake up at 6:55 Thailand time. That seems to be my wakeup time, no matter what the zone which is annoying. I wanna sleep late, damnit. This is my vacation (although I have already had one call from the USA).

I decide to take a swim in the pool (which has overflowed onto the deck and almost into my room). I think to myself that when I have a house, it must have a pool. A big one. Every day should start off like this.

My sister is supposed to get here early to wake up and waterski with me. She rolls in with 20 minutes to pack. I make her feel guilty. Not sure if she does.

We head to the airport and I think about Phuket. Honestly, everything we did here you could probably do in South Beach. Which is a heckuva lot closer. But, I was joining a trip in progress and this is where it was happening so this is where I came. But, I'm eager to move on.

In the airport, there is a lounge for passengers on Bangkok Airlines. Internet, and juice and so forth. I am on Bangkok Airlines. I enter the lounge. My sister will be traveling on two Bangkok airlines segments in the next week but today she is with Asia Air. She tries to join me in the Lounge but they spot her Asia Air ticket and practically push her out the door. The hospitality here is so strange. Sometimes underwhelming, sometime overwhelming.

Teri and I take separate flights down to Bangkok. We meet up at the airport. Finally have some time to TALK with a capital T. While we're both enjoying our vacation there's always a need for that sisterly girltalk and we have it. We make dinner reservations for this really good restaurant in Bangkok.

We go back to the hotel room. There's not much selection so I watch the cheerleading championships on ESPN. Yes, of course part of me is like "What am I doing in Asia watching Cheerleaders from Ohio on TV?" but I was tired. So tired that Teri and I decide to nap. And nap and nap. The alarm goes off when we're supposed to get ready to go to dinner in Bangkok. we keep sleeping. We do wake up eventually and have dinner in the hotel. And then back to bed. We both needed this, Teri especially.

Not the most exciting day, we know. But part of the trip nonetheless.

Day Four (Tuesday, April 10th)

Her Royal Highness, PRINCESS, has arrived.

But she needs a little beauty rest.

Finally, someone to talk to. Sort of. She'll be more coherent after she's had a nap.

Before she arrived I took to the beach. I read a whole book start to finish. Brilliant. Generally, I'm more about taking trips than taking vacations (that's what we did as a family) but today is going to be a lazy day on the beach.

I want to go waterskiing but decide to wait for Teri. Last time I waterskied was with Teri in New Hampshire and the boat was in need of a tune up so my Dad had to kick me out of the boat (get rid if excess weight) so that it would run properly for my sister's ski. And the boat simply didn't have the power to pull me. Needless to say, I need to (re) prove my waterskiing prowess.

Vendors approach tourists and try to sell you just about anything. If you even make the slightest bit of eye contact with them and don't buy something they get poutty very quickly. Some woman is selling nuts and she cracks them and puts them up to my mouth. Yeah, um, she is definitely in my personal space. I tell her I am allergic and she runs off. Too bad I can't also be allergic to ice cream, massages, sarongs, t-shirts and all the other goods available on Surin Beach.

The Tsunami happened right here where I'm reading. Much to my surprise, it's kinda hard to tell that it happened. I mean, go to downtown Manhattan near the World Trade Center and you can tell something happened. Go to New Orleans -- you get it. I am kind of curious if there's any sort of, I dunno, memorial? Part of me wants to take pause for the disaster in some way but end up doing that in my head.

Before Teri and I go out, I get a work related phone call (it was arranged at my suggestion). Having this phone call could potentially put my mind at ease for the rest of the trip so I decide it's worth the break in the mode of vacation to take it.

Day Four, Second Shift

Whoah. Just got back from my night out in Patong with my sis and her slightly insane pals.

Needless to say, I was a little out of my element. Let's just say the evening involved ping pong balls, cigarettes, bananas, darts and balloons and well, I'll leave it at that.

Day Three (Monday, April 9th)

I wake up. I don't feel miserable. Amazing. I head back to the airport (ughghghg) and take a quick flight up to Phuket. From what I've heard, Phuket might not have been my first choice, but this is where I'll meet up with my sister and her pals so here I am.

I check into the Manathai Hotel. Feels a bit like the Viceroy (Shout out to Tom and Clarence). My sister stayed here a few days ago and the guy at reception says "Oh yes, Miss Teri" which makes me wonder. From what I've heard, this Island is a party place which suits my sister and I hope she had some fun, but not too much.

So, I put on my bikini (ack! It's only April and unseasonably freezing in NC so I'm not sure I'm ready for this) and tons of sunscreen and go to the beach. Amazing. I was just at the beach near Wilmington earlier this week and the difference in temperature and setting is striking. The water is so warm and I jump right in. There are tropical fish at my feet. The waves are fun. Every time a big one comes in I think "Tsunami."

I walk along the beach and get offered a Thai massage about 20 times, which I'll do later.

I come back to the Hotel Room and it all catches up to me and I try to read to stay awake, but end up sleeping. I wake up really groggy but drag myself to dinner.

It rained which cooled things off. The waiters are very confused by the fact that I'm alone. I have to admit, I would love some conversation right now, so I decide to come to the business center and write about the trip in this blog, which is my side of the conversation.

I am thinking about windsurfing tomorrow. Something I've done before at camp, but that lake was always lacking wind.

I'm also going to have some clothes made, which is cool. Believe it or not, Rod Brown suggested that. The time I spent working with Rod must have had some effect on him, as he's now thinking about fashion. Just thinking about it, mind you, not necessarily being fashionable. He is, after all, Rod. Oh yeah Rod, everyone here looks like Bob too.

Also realized that I completely missed Easter. There was no Easter Morning for me because of the time and direction in which I was traveling. Really, it was never morning on Sunday where I wuz. Darn. I am hungry for some of those marshmellow peeps and Easter provides a good excuse to eat them. Think Bikini, Jamie.

That's all for now. Good night.

Day Two (Sunday, April 8th)

I will miss Desperate Housewives tonight.

Is a lot like Day One. On planes and in airports. But I feel like the adventure has begun. In Tokyo, I get on another big plane and this time I'm on the Upper Deck. I climbed stairs in an airplane. So cool. This time I only get three seats to myself but still, it lets me sleep. I'm trying to get on Thailand time so I don't sleep the whole way. I finally do crack open that InStyle magazine and watch a movie.

I am sleeping when they give the meal service. They leave a cute little post it on my tray table letting me know that a meal is available to me. So much nicer than the grumpy American Airlines flight attendant who bellows in your sleeping ear "Chicken or Beef?"

I write a little, which I haven't done in a while. For most of 2006 I kept a journal but then I lost it and I haven't been able to start another one since. I rarely lose anything and for me to misplace something of such a personal nature really got to me. This blog is by no means a replacement for that journal as it is too public, but it is a neat way to chronicle my adventures without having to worry about anything getting lost. Unless the internet breaks down.

Finally, we're in Bangkok. Another stamp in my passport. I step out side. Wow. It is a bazillion degrees. I am leaving for Phuket the next morning so I just stay in the airport hotel. I take a shower even though I am dead tired because I can smell the last twenty hours on planes but there is no hot water. How is that possible? It is so hot outside, but there is no hot water.

There is nothing Thai about the Hotel, really. Which is kinda funny how I travelled all this way but this hotel room could be just about anywhere.

But, the hotel has good products and I put all those into my bag. I am so proud of my minamalist approach to this trip. I brought a small backpack. My plan is to borrow stuff from my sister who will undoubtedly overpack and buys things. And wash some stuff too.

For those of you who don't know all the circumstances of this trip I have my sister (Teri, also known as the Princess) to thank. She had this trip planned ages ago and somehow, about two weeks ago, she convinced me to join her. I thought of a million reasons why not, but then said "What the hell" and bought the ticket.

She flew out here about a week ago. Right now she is on a boat that departed from Phuket. I will see her on Tuesday. I am looking forward to it. I realize I haven't spoken to anyone in the last two days and for someone as chatty and extroverted as me, that's a little weird. I'm totally in my head, which is good for me. Teri also has a camera, and so I hope to get some pictures on here.

I also have my pal Robert Telchin to thank for assisting in the planning of this trip. Robert is incredibly worldy and offered me invaluable advice from everything to what coffee shop to drink in in Luang Prabang from monitoring Bangkok Airlines flight to find a flight back to Bangkok for my sister.

And David, for tracking it.

Geeze. I sound like I just won an Oscar.

Day One (Saturday, April 7th)

Jamie's Southeast Asia Adventure Begins. Also, Happy Birthday Pepine Nana.


I wake up at 5:30 am and meet with my trainer. Damn, am I dedicated. But, the workout will tire me out which is a good idea given that I'm going to be on a plane for the next two days, more or less.

I get to RDU two hours early like the American Airlines reservation lady told me. Ten minutes later I'm at the gate waiting for my flight. RDU is a small airport, I have no luggage to check, and I'm GOLD which does make life a little easier.

Flight to ORD is easy. I get on the enormous plane to fly to Tokyo. I am blessed by the fact that it is very empty and take up five seats and two Benadryl and sleep for most of the way.

Land in Tokyo. I'm bummed I don't have time to jump into the city. I am delighted to see that the airport seats don't have arm rests so I take up four seats and am back to sleep. I have not even cracked open the InStyle magazine I bought for this trip.

Tokyo is many hours ahead of RDU so I should actually start a new post for Sunday, to be accurate.

I am surprised how much I love this silly little kitty. I am only 29 and already becoming crazy cat lady. Here's her best shot.

They're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same

Adios Lorena.

Another one of Precious. Meow. Sweetness.

Precious Dubikins! I am a Foster Mommy. This is my freelance cat. I think her name is going to be Paris. Or Precious. Mrrrrow. I love her.