What wat?? That's the question we had to ask each other after seeing so many new & ancient wats (temples). The ruins here cover a much larger area than Suhkathai or Lop Buri--as it was the major city of the Siam empire for over 400 years. Today's city is built all around the ruins so you can walk from a 7/ll across the street from a 700 year old wat. So strange. As we walked around, often a vehicle with a loud speaker shouting something passed by or the speakers mounted on poles would start blaring what sounded like a talk show ...no idea what they were saying but cracked us up. Just before sunset--we hopped in long boat that took us around the moat/river that surrounded the city. Seeing the ruins with the crimson sunset light as a backlight was gorgeous. We also got to see the many houses that line the moat/river--all on stilts--some very modern & fancy, some almost falling into the river & several dilapidated houseboats where friendly locals waved & smiled as we passed. We shared the river with party boats built like arks & several barges pulled by tugboats. Having seen enough wats, we took a tuk tuk 25 miles to Ban Sai's arts/craft center where the queen set up a site where handicapped & small villagers can get training in over 30 crafts so they can improve their income. The queen's retreat home is there as well as a bird park. We saw the most amazing totally white peacock and several huge hornbills. When we went back at our arranged time to hop in our tuk tuk, we found our driver hooking up a rope to replace his broken fan belt. We agreed to stick around as he drove to a local shop to get a new fan belt...which gave us time to check out the training shops where we could watch them as they worked. Fortunately, the ride back to Auytthaya was uneventful!
Overnight train ride to Udon Thani:
At 9:20 p.m. we climbed aboard the train--Rog in car 9 & me in 10--and crawled into our top berths. Though small, they were quite comfortable...until the train started to move & then I found out that Rog had the better berth. Mine was right over the wheels & next to the open door between cars. That made for a rocky, noisy night!! It took a bit to fall asleep, but lucky for me, I sleep pretty sound. Rog's berth was in the center of his car & so less noise & motion. At 7:15 a.m., we were there! We soon found a driver to take us the hour & a half drive to Nang Bua Lamphu...in search of Mother Teresa's mission there.
Mother Teresa's Home for AIDS Children:
It was a welcoming site when we saw the Missionary of Charity sisters who warmly greeted us and were eager to hear about our experience in Kolkata. Such fond memories were easy to speak about. They said their 18 children would be thrilled to have visitors and would love doing art projects with us. They had a driver take us to a nearby hotel--just $10 per night with air & western bathroom--and an internet cafe next door & a 7/11 just down the street :). Since the children were in school until 4, we checked out the town & took a quick nap. At 4, we had playdough, coloring sheets & drawing paper ready to go. Kids quickly joined us & in no time, all were busy. Looking around I couldn't help but think that we were so lucky to be able to spend some fun time with these orphan AIDS children who's parent probably already died of AIDS & who's life will probably be way too short.
Honda Day At MT's:
After spending the morning creating flowers, the kids were treated to a fun couple hours provided by the local Honda dealer. They set up a relay where the kids & many of their employees had to 1-blow flour off a coin & pick it up with their teeth 2-drop the coin into a cup 3-eat a banana and 4-drink a glass of punch. Then they played musical chairs followed by a bowl of soup & ice cream...us too. Then it was nap time so off we went to shop for bulletin board supplies.
Bulletin Board:
As soon as Sister Marie Paul MC found out we were retired teachers, she asked if we'd redo a bulletin board that had pictures of the kids--about 3-4 years ago. Truly we had experience doing that. We'd seen a store filled with paper & cut outs so we filled up a cart, had the kids create some flowers & leaves, added new pictures of the kids the nuns provided in the center of the flowers and presto...a colorful new bulletin board. The four nuns were so impressed. One said God must of sent us to them as the apples on the old bulletin board were certainly rotten! As the kids came back after their naps, they were so excited!! You'd think it was a Christmas tree!
Game Afternoon:
We found chess & checker boards while in town, so we set that up as well as some games of five square & dots and gave each kid 4 pipe cleaners. So in no time, all were engaged in some game, creating things with pipe clearners or enjoying a bowling with the play dough. The sisters said usually the kids are so antsy and were so glad to see them all so engaged. As we walked to the evening church service, the sisters said many of the kids were asking how long we were going to stay...
Dinner:
We found a restaurant called The Best so in we went...to find out those were the only two words in English on the menu & no one there spoke English. I decided I'd stop at 7/ll later. After pointing to someone's rice & a picture of chicken, Rog thought all was good. Hot rice came & so he ate it thinking they must not have figured out he wanted chicken also. He then asked for the bill & our waitress cracked up laughing & pointed to the kitchen. Quite a bit later, chicken came & more rice (probably cause he'd eaten the first). A few bites convinced him that the chicken was the fat/joint pieces we toss...fried really crispy. That didn't convince him to stop eating...just added more hot sauce. Warm water (didn't trust ice) washed it all down. I did stop at 7/ll, got a Coke Lite, Lays chips & a ham & cheese sandwich--one half had ham on it & the other half had the cheese. Close enough!
