Sukothai/Sawankhalok

Howdy to my loyal and not-so-loyal readers. I'm writing this blog, typically, from an internet cafe. To my left, a teenaged (perhaps older?) dude is playing a game involving lots of killing. To my right, a young boy is playing a game involving lots of killing. Yet, Thailand is a peaceful and safe place; I guess that settles the whole violent video games result in violent people question!

So, as with my first posting from Thailand, this one will be more of a snapshot than an overview. For that, you'll have to steal my journal! Yesterday (seems like last week), we left Phitsanulok and the many generous and friendly people who took care of us for Sukothai, a World Heritage Site. About 700 years ago, this part of Thailand was rockin' and rollin', led by a peaceful warrior king whom contemporary Thais consider their first quasi national leader. In such a time, perhaps it comes as no surprise that lots of arse-kickin' temples (wats), Buddhas, and other strcutures were built. Maybe the surprising part is that a lot of it still stands. Sort of like a southeast Asian version of Tikal. As my first attempt to upload pics to my flickr page failed (doh!), you're all going to have to imagine it for now!

Last night, we found ourselves around a table with five local Rotarians, four of whom speak as much English as we speak Thai. Since all we can say is hello, thanks, it's pretty, goodbye, mostly we talked amongst ourselves. As usual, the evening finished off with a very healthy dose of karoke! Our unassuming, 50-something Rotarian friends turned out to be rock stars! And some of the women in the hotel restaurant did impressive versions of that Celine Dion tune from the Titanic and the Cranberries tune, "Zombie." Who knew there was so much local talent in Sanakhalok, a town not much bigger than Macomb?

Have I mentioned the food yet? It's double extra yummy! Highlights, so far, include the best sticky rice with mango (just in season now; great timing), which is a dessert and some fruits that I never have had before but whose names are unpronounceable by me, so far. I also ate tamarind; I have drank it before but never knew that the brown pods have a fit-like fruit inside. Oh, and very spicy Tom Yam soup, which is a clear broth with lots of mushrooms and lemongrass, lime, and hot chili as seasoning. As Jimmy might say: outtasight! Since I'm the only vegetarian in the bunch, I get my own (oft larger) dish. I'd say I've let non-veg substances in my mouth a few times by accident: fish sauce in the hot sauce? An octopus in the Singapore noodles!!! Fish sauce in the dried mango "fruit leather" stuff? Who knew?

Well, my hour is about up. Don't work too hard and stay warm...lah gorn.