Big Brother Mouse

When you travel you contribute to a cultures economy, but sometimes that is a less personal way to give to a person, or even embrace a culture. I've decided in each country I'm going to do a little volunteer work. In Thailand I donated blood as a contribution. Today after getting things in order with my Vietnam visa, packing, and booking a bus ticket for VangVien(departing tomorrow morning), my friends and I donated 2 hrs of our time teaching English to the local children at a literacy foundation called Big Brother Mouse. We sang, danced, colored pictures for a huge collage, and spoke in English to help them learn. After that I bought a couple bilingual children books(written in Lao and English) that I will give to some kids who pass by my guesthouse tomorrow on their way to school. Working with children is so rewarding, but doing volunteer work is a duty that deserves no reward.

prana vibrations

Yesterday my friends and I visited the Kuang Si waterfalls an hour outside of Luang Prabang by tuk tuk. The waterfalls were scattered alongside this gorgeous steep jungle mountain. I spent 5 hrs. with my jaw dropped absorbing all the beauty, that I wish I could describe, but you had to see it and feel it to know its awe. I went cliff-jumping and swimming with the monks, and cleansed myself under a gorgeous waterfall. The water was chilly, but refreshing. It was my favorite day on my trip, and again... Laos is so beautiful!
sigh.

The Mekong River tour

I paid for a two day slow boat Mekong River tour with 50 other individuals from all over the world. The scenery was mountainous with thick jungle foliage and white beaches. Sometimes you see locals playing in the water, bathing, or washing the clothes or food. At one point it rained so hard we rolled the tarp curtains down for protection, but for the most part it was a spiritually invigorating journey. Some people viewed it as a booze-Cruise, especially when we stopped at a local hill tribe village and ten 7-11 yr old kids jumped on board to sell beer, water, and chips. Both days were 8 hrs in length, and on the hard wooden benches your ass gets mighty sore and numb, but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world! It was amazing! It cost $900 Baht or $30 dollars and my sleeping accommodations in the tribe was $200 Baht/$5-6 dollars with a bathroom! High-roller! When the boat docked at the port of the tribe village I was paranoid to let the locals take my bag. I had been warned that you have to pay to retrieve it, so I waited for it, and walked the wooden plank off the ship almost tumbling over if it wasn't for a thoughtful foreigner who assisted me, and then I found my guesthouse rep., and walked with her 3 km up hill while she told me how she liked my nose.
I negotiated the price for an upgraded room with a shower, because what they wanted to offer me for the price I paid was shit. After my shower I heard the storm outside. I made my way to the deck where I met two guys from Liverpool, England. This is an area of England where the accent and personality are so thick, you feel like your in a Guy Richie flick. We went across the street in the rain for dinner, and I had an amazing meal! Everywhere you go the locals ask you if you want Opium, Marijuana, or Boom-Boom. hahahaha! I am in the Opium district. Some of the poverty stricken transients are smacked out beyond comprehension. This town has a 1960's war feel. There is a curfew of 11:30p.m., and the power goes out every night at 10p.m.
The next day on the Mekong trip I sat next to my fun-feisty friends from Liverpool: Sean and Jed. Sean puked off the side to make room for more beer as I meditated, took pictures, and stared off the side into the jungle view listening to my I-POD. I met a Laos guy on the boat who held up a large container of laundry fluid and asked if I wanted a sip. I gave him a confused look, so he poured a little into the cap, and it was Lao whiskey(very strong, but good). I gratefully took a sip. The boat was an old fashioned long tail boat with old fashioned curtains with tassels. The hard wooden benches were slightly cushioned by thin pillows, but I wouldn't call them comfortable. The trip was perfect for people watching. This is one of the most famous rivers in the world. I am grateful to have had this experience!

I have arrived in Luang Prabang, Laos. This is a French city with tons of adventure and culture due to the caves, elephants, and waterfalls. I really like it here, and I will stay until at least the 30th when I retrieve my Vietnam visa from the travel agent ($30 dollars). I do not have Thai cell phone reception, but I do have Skype. Please set up an account so we can speak from the Internet cafes.
I will leave Laos on the 23th of May, and arrive in Vietnam on the 24th for my 29th Birthday to arrive in Cambodia on the 23rd of June. After that I will let you know. ;)

LAOS

Gee(my Brazilian friend) and I left the group in Chiang Rai to head to Laos by bus. The fare was cheap and the ride was only 2 hrs. Immigration was a piece of cake. G and I are at the border town Huay Xai. We have a cheap guesthouse that we've booked a room in just for the night, and tomorrow she and I separate. She heads south by speed boat to the airport in Ventanne, and I have booked a 2 days tour via slow boat along the famous Mekong River. Also known as Opium valley through the golden triangle. The Mekong river connects Thailand, Burma, Laos, and China. I leave bright and early tomorrow morning. Tomorrow night I stay in a hill tribe to arrive in Luang Phabang the following day around 5 p.m. I get the impression Laos is what Thailand use to be before corruption of tourism and the seedy sex trade. The land is beautiful and the people are poor but happy. I have learned that the people go to great lengths to preserve the natural ecological beauty. In Thailand the Lisa, Lahu, Akon, and Karen long neck hill tribes are burning the jungle, because they feel enclosed and want open spaces. In Laos everything is natural, simple, and beautiful. I look forward to tomorrow and the rest of my month long visa stay in this mysterious country. Laos is so primitive, and I must be careful because there are not many hospitals that are easily accessible.
Some of my goals here are to trek, bike, and spelunk with the tribes in the north after a few days in Luang Phabang, and then venture south for kayaking and biking exploration near Vang Vien, followed by relaxation along the 'Land of 4,000 islands.' I will then enter Cambodia.

Leaving Pai for ThaTon

I said goodbye to Cesar and watched him ride off on his bicycle for his long mountainous journey ahead, only to find that my friends had all gone ahead to ThaTon the day before, but were anxiously awaiting my arrival. I wanted to hurry and get things wrapped up in Pai, so I paid my bungalow fee and left with my bag to return my motorcycle. A shady Thai cop gave me a ticket when I turned the corner for not wearing a helmet. I was upset since I was pressed for time to get to the bus station, but paid my ticket($200 Baht=7 dollars). When I arrived at the bus station they smiled and nodded when I asked for a ticket to ThaTon. I got on the bus full of monks only to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere where no one speaks English. As I argued with the driver of the bus that I bought a $150 Baht ticket for ThaTon not Mai Mirarai a sweet Burmese woman walked by, and said in perfect English that this bus doesn't go to ThaTon. I was flustered. Why then did they tell me in English that this bus would take me to ThaTon? She asked him, and then answered to me that the driver didn't know. How will I get there? I asked even more distraught?
She smiled and took me around the corner to a bus stop, and said "wait here for one hour, and the bus will come." "Korp Kuhn Ka" I gratefully thanked her. She left.
Now I was starving, not having eaten yet, so I walked to the market 30 ft. away and bought noodles in a plastic bag that I ate with two thin wooden skewers for chop sticks. If you could have seen me you would have laughed! :) BUT! I was so grateful to have a meal, because I was starving, and I felt humbled thinking of all the poor people of the world who struggle for their meals. Sometime when life is too easy you don't appreciate the little things like basic survival.
Finally the bus arrived, and I boarded the over packed bus. I shared a tiny bench with two Thai girls. Thank god Thai girls are usually skinny! haha! The bus came to a stop after an hour, so I asked the pharang in front of me if we were here. He laughed as he exited the bus and said, "Oh no, you still have another 3 1/2-4 hrs to go, but at least you took this bus, because it's more scenic. Good luck. Bye." Ok.... Well, this day was proving to be frustrating and long, but full of surprises teaching me patience. After we continued on route I looked in the distance to see the misty mountains, gorgeous jungle vegetation, rivers, and several elephants roaming free. It donned on me yet again how lucky I am to be here in Asia. :)
I awoke from my nap and it was dark. My watch said that it was 8 p.m., and we arrived to a small town where the driver yelled: ThaTon! So, I jumped off, grabbed my bag, and thought: what am I going to do now? It's late. Where will I sleep. How will I get to Chiang Rai tomorrow? When do I want to leave for Laos. My mind was swirling, and I felt my anxiety swell.
Just then I heard a sweet female Spanish accent behind me. "Didn't I see you in Pai before?" I turned around and recognized a girl who had befriended all of my friends. "Yes!" :) She asked if I wanted to share her room and her food. "Yes! Thank you." :) She and I spent the night talking before bed. Our room had a frog in the typical Thai squatter toilet. haha!
The next day after my meditation by the river overlooking the white Buddha on the mountain I stood up and turned around to see my new friend Clara talking to Marcello on a bench. When I walked over he told me all of our friends were at the cafe. Yay! We caught up, discussed all our adventures since we'd last seen each other, and decided we would all room together. All 8 of us.
After we settled into our new guesthouse, and all had a chance to shower, we decided to head to town(basically 1 street crossing a bridge), and as we walked and laughed in our element, who did I see biking towards me but Cesar! I couldn't believe it! Yay! What a coincidence! Neither of us knew the other person would be here in such a remote place on the Burma border.
The rest of the night he and I had fun hiking up to the Wat(temple of the white Buddha), and then later talking, singing, and laughing with our crazy Brazilian, Spanish, Argentinian, and Italian friends. They love to sing and dance. Visente brought several instruments.
I find it funny being in Thailand and trying to speak Spanish.
The next morning I said goodbye to Cesar telling him I want to see him in Laos, and the 8 of us left by bus to Chiang Rai. The driver kept stopping in remote places trying to increase the previously agreed upon price of travel to Chiang Rai, which was totally unfair!
After a short and aggrivating bus ride we arrived in Chiang Rai! :)

Skype

My new Skype account is under the name: TracyHicks79
Now we can speak for free if you have a Skype account, or dirt cheap. :)

Pai

I arrived in Pai 4 days ago or so. I LOVE it here. Pai is a small town in the mountains surrounded by waterfalls and hotsprings. It is a town of artists and lovers. As Helena(Slovenian living in the UK) and I exited the bus our friend Isaac(Spanish) greeted us and took us to the bungalows where he and his boyfriend Nico(Italian) stayed. The bungalows are quaint, but equipped with a natural swimming pool(no chlorine or ozone). Since then 6 friends have joined us there: Alexjandro, Visente, Guilia, Elettra(Italian), Maula(Spanish), and June(Brazilian). I met a man who is biking all over southeast Asia. He's been here 2 weeks and has biked well over 600 km. His name is Cesar(Thisar is the pronunciation) and he is from Madrid, Spain. I have enjoyed spending my time with him exploring the country side by motorcycle. I thought I would leave tomorrow, but I don't know now. Maybe next week sometime when everyone disperses I will head north into Nong Thong or Ta Tong and then cross the border into Laos. My days are filled with the pleasure of the present moment.

venting

In the last couple days I've moved from 3 different rooms at the Green Tulip, due to all the Mayhem and confusing booking of Songkran. The day before yesterday I was moved into a lovely room only to be told the next day that a couple upstairs couldn't sleep in a fan room, and since they were willing to pay more than double what I was paying I would need to move. I was upset with all the moving around, and let them know with all this inconvenience that I would expect nothing less than a discount for my trouble. They obliged. The staff here are good people, and they do care a lot about me.
However, I was moved into a room with a girl I didn't know. She seemed okay, so I dropped off my stuff and met up with my friends. Later that night I returned exhausted and sunburnt requiring sleep. I was awoken to this disrespectful twat having sex with some guy she just met at a bar not even 3 ft away from me on the bed. I heard the sloppy kissing and moaning through my earplugs! I am aware that this is her room too, but there are no outside guests allowed, and this was awkward and uncomfortable for me, so I asked them to please keep it down. They stormed out and returned an hour later to do it again! I stormed out this time. How disgusting and rude! Now, I'm no puritan, but this was just nasty! At 5:30 in the morning I sat at a table with the manager who was also irritated while I was feeling emotional and put-out. She was fed up with all the disrespectful selfish people who arrived at the Green Tulip House for Songkran.
A funny thought that went through my frustrated brain while my slutty roommate was riding her stud, was that I should have turned on the light, sat up, and asked where the popcorn was for the show. Another amusing thought was that I could have started taking pictures while directing them, "Now could you move you head slightly this way? Great!" hahahaha!
Last night while I was tired, annoyed, and feeling like I was tired of the adversities hitting me continuously upside the cranium while in Chiang Mai(many of which I don't write about) I texted Mark. He ran out and got a phone card to call me and see if I was okay. Even now he is still the only person I really feel I can talk to about anything, and I know he's always there for me. That means so much! :) Thank you, Mark.
Last week I wrote him an email that expressed a lot of pent up emotions relating to our breakup. I even wrote Emily and bitched to her about he and I's breakup and my feelings. I'm glad I spoke my truth. I had hard feelings, which he and I have since talked over. Last night we reconnected, and I'm grateful. I wished we could have worked out, yet I know I'm meant to be here, and be open to learning and experiencing with no strings attached, so I have no regrets, and he shouldn't either. He joined the Canadian military career reserves and starts a double major at Concordia University soon. I'm so proud of him.

This morning when I awoke, the manager: Nine told the owners what happened, and the girl was evicted. They were shocked, repulsed, and protective over me. I was not charged for last night, and I have my own room for tonight. I must admit that I'm ready to get the hell out of Chiang Mai. Tomorrow I leave for Pai. 5 of my Thai massage friends will join me for a little relaxation and exploration, as well as continuing education in the north.

None of this was really a big deal. Now it's a laugh amongst my friends and I.
Sometimes something as small as this can be that icing on the cake that solidifies that it's time to move on. ;) It's all good.

F.Y.I.

Songkran is the coolest holiday I've ever experienced! I love Songkran! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay! :D

Big day!

Today is Friday April 11th, and it is a good day! Today is the first day of Songkran, which is the Thai New Year festival, and the most important time of the year in Thailand. Everyone parties hard and splashes water on each other. Water runs deep in the Thai New Year traditions, both as a symbol of cleansing, blessings, and as a symbol of renewal. As part of the water sprinkling or water splashing, you may also encounter a person with a small silver bowl filled with a white powder or pasty substance. This is one of the oldest Songkran traditions. The white paste is a sign of protection and promises to ward off evil. The person with the paste is often older and he or she applies the paste to various parts of the face, neck and torso of others. One is expected to leave this paste on until it washes off of its own accord.
This festival lasts an entire week! :D
People come from all over the world and congregate in Chiang Mai to celebrate Songkran. I am so lucky to be here to experience this!
I've already been drenched by super-soaker water guns while on my bicycle from people driving by. It's awesome!

Another reason today is important on a more personal level is because I graduated from my Thai massage and foot reflexology courses at the Shivagakomarpaj school at the Old Medicine Hospital. We had a lovely ceremony and lunch afterwards: all the students and teachers together. The teachers offered beer and whiskey in celebration after the ceremony, and blasted Thai pop music. Tonight we're all meeting at the Wild Rose Yoga studio to take an Acro-yoga class, and then go out dancing. I really appreciate the company of all my new friends. They're such unique, fun, and compassionate people.
Last night we went dancing at the Rasta Art Caffe, and tonight for the festival we're heading down by Taipei Gate to party and celebrate our graduation. A few of the girls: Guilia(Italy), Mawla(Spain), and Helena(UK) are going to accompany me up to Pai next Wed. after the Songkran festival for a few days before we all go our separate ways. I'll be sad to leave say goodbye to my new friends and Chiang Mai, but I'm ready to move on. After Pai I'm making my way into Laos and Cambodia, and I'm really looking forward to it! I'm not sure where I'm heading after that, maybe the Malaysian Borneo, but what I now know is that I'm leaving for India around September. Guilia and Arthur(France) have given me the low-down, and I feel like I should go. I have to visit the Indian consulate in BKK around Aug. when Nichole has her baby.
Basically, this weekend is going to be wet and wild.

aromatics and culture low-down

In the last couple weeks I ride my bike an average of 30 miles a week. I enjoy this time with my thoughts, while I manually get to where I need to go. It makes me appreciate my destination-point more fully. I've also noticed that Thailand is the 'Land of a Thousand Scents!' Each yard introduces an entirely different powerfully strong aroma. It's very unusual.

We drive/ride on the left side of the road here. Well, sometimes! It's really just a suggestion, if you know what I mean. As I ride along I see a family of 4 on the back of a motorcycle, while the driver usually uses only one hand, because the other hand is holding his infant. hahaha! I'm so not kidding. Sometimes you'll see someone ride by and a dog, or better yet, a monkey is bracing themselves on the seat behind the driver. Even better, the monkey is in front of the driver holding on the handle bars.
Thailand is a free for all. Basically anything goes.
Well, almost anything...!
Yes, relationships are quite open here. Most people have a second wife or husband, yet it's taboo to sit with you feet pointing at anyone, nor can you touch the top of any ones head. This is very disrespectful! If a monk is seated, then you have to duck lower than him when you walk by.
Always greet and negotiate prices with a smile. The Thai's loathe confrontation. It is not a part of their culture. The Thai's are always full of giggles, because we "Pharangs" (white foreigners) are so different. They're not laughing at you in a rude way, they just don't get you. Honestly, I agree with the locals, when I sit back and watch many foreigners. We are quite funny!
Another interesting thing: They don't use toilet paper. Every "Hong nam," or 'dirty water closet' is equipped with a hose for cleaning. Yes, it's wet, and takes some getting use to, but you dry quickly, it's cleaner, and refreshing in this heat! :)
For the men, when you go to a club make sure the pretty Thai girl who's flirting with you is really a girl.... Lady-boys are notorious in this culture, and very respected! Families often raise one of their sons to be a lady-boy. I don't know why yet, but there's a book called: "My name Lan, you like me?" I'll read it next an let you know the reason. Bangkok is full of plastic surgeons and Dentists. Many people come here to get good work done for cheap. So, they may look pretty on the outside of their clothing, but make sure that underneath there isn't something external reminding you she/he's excited. ;)


Here's some important phrases you should know if you visit, or to impress your friends the next time you dine at an authentic Thai restaurant:
(KA ends most all phrases for WOMEN, and KAP ends most all phrases for MEN)
[Thai's can't pronounce R's, so they're all pronounced them with an L sound]
"Sawadee ka/Kap" Hello, good day, goodnight, etc.. It's a greeting on many levels with hands joined in front of the mouth.
"Korp Kuhn Ka/Kap" Thank you
"Kor" Please
"Se-bye de mai ka/kap?" How are you?
"Se-bye de" good
"De nak mak" very good
"Hong nam" Bathroom i.e., Peakaw, Hong Nam you tee nine?
"You tee nine?" Where is...
"Peakaw" Excuse me
"Yai" Big
"Lek lek" Small
"Check bin ka/kap" check please
"Mai ow ka/kap" I don't want
"Mai Chop" I don't like
"Chop chop" I like! :)
"Chop pick mak mak" I like very spicy! :)
"mai chop pick" I don't like spicy
"Pig-num-paw" Sliced Thai peppers
"Mae pen rai ka/kap" No problem
"Ruk" Love
"Cow-pat" Fried rice
"Gai" Chicken
"Moo" Pork
"Guhn" Shrimp

Nung One
Song Two
Sam Three
See Four
Ha! Five
Hoke Six
Jet Seven
Bad Eight
Gow Nine
Sip Ten
E-sip Twenty
Roy Hundred

That should get you started a bit. You say all of this with a smile, and you're golden! :D

Physical oddities

Ok, something weird happened, and I have to share it with those of you who care, which is probably anyone clicking on my travel events and whatnot. SO, here it goes. First let's back this up to a year and a half ago: When I noticed I had an abnormal lump in my throat. I was diagnosed with Hypo-Thyroidism, which means my Thyroid was underactive and wasn't producing enough hormone. This effects metabolism and temperature. When I saw an Endocrinologist he stuck a very large needle through the tender and delicate tissues in my neck deep into the Thyroid gland, which sits at the base of the center of my throat, to take a biopsy. It was extremely painful!!! He extracted fluid only to inform me that the tests were inconclusive and he didn't know what was wrong, yet he wanted to cut my Thyroid gland out and put me on meds for the rest of my life. Do you realize how serious that is?!?!?! Obviously that wasn't going to fly, so I sought the medical care of a Homeopathic doctor and acupuncturist. The Homeopathic M.D. did her own non-evasive tests and determined I was extremely deficient in Iodine, which is what fuels Thyroid production.
Ahhh! Ok.
Makes sense.
I started taking Iodine pills daily, and immediately began feeling better, but I still had a nodule on my gland, which was concerning! I changed my diet to nutrient rich foods, which included changing my pescatarian diet to omnivore, I took my Iodine pills, increased my exercise, started meditating and praying daily, I even looked at the symbolism of the throat chakra: speak your truth. I researched this disorder to the point where I could have hosted lectures internationally on this topic. I saw no difference in my weight, and the lump was still in my throat, but I was doing everything I could, so I decided not to obsess.
No insurance would touch me in America because of my preexisting condition, and although you can't see me now, my middle finger is in the air as a salute to the United States of America Health Care system.
My parents were extremely concerned, but I told them not to worry, because I believed I would be ok, even though I sometimes spazzed. haha!

Now I'm in Thailand, with a positive attitude, healthy diet, I exercise daily, take my thyroid booster vitamins, pray/meditate/do my yoga daily, and I am now giving and receiving massages daily because of school. I must be doing something right, because I recently noticed that I'm losing weight, and the nodule on my Thyroid is GONE! I said, I cannot feel any abnormality on my Thyroid gland what-so-ever, and I feel healthy(and happy)!
Sigh
THANK GOD :)

Another weird phenomenon: My hair has naturally changed color. It is now dark red!
I'm totally surprised! :D Pleasantly, of course.

*Just our of curiosity. If any of you has any hypothesis or knowledge as to why this happened, please post a comment and enlighten me and my readers.

The Old Medicine Hospital

My Thai massage school is called the Old Medicine Hospital, and it is a phenomenally great school. I'm so impressed by their clear explanations, demonstrations, and assistance. I'm on my 3rd day of school. So far in lecture I've learned: Different types of massage, what is takes to give a good massage, creating balance, and where Thai massage came from. In practice I've had three separate partners, and so far we have covered Sen lines on the body and various techniques applied to the feet & ankles, legs/hips/back, and stomach/chest/arms/neck/head. Did I mention that I LOVE my school?!?!?! :D What's weird is that I enjoy doing hw for hrs every night. Now that's a first!
Next week everyday after my Thai yoga massage classes I have added a foot reflexology class in the evenings. Next Friday is my big test day for both classes, and then I get my certificate of completion. I have decided to skip the oil massage course, because it's not really my taste. After class today I asked one of my instructors where I can take an advanced studies course, because it's not offered on the curriculum. She led my downstairs with a big smile on her face, and handed me a pamphlet for another school. I'll look into that and Reiki classes when I'm finished.
I'm thirsty for knowledge! hahaha! Love it!
I attend school with 20 interesting international individuals: Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Greece, Russia, China, Korea, Thailand, and little ol' me from the USA. I have worked on Anne from Switzerland, Arthur from France, and Chang from Korea. Today Chang gave me the most intriguing compliment of my life. He said: "You have the most lovely ribcage on any woman that I've ever seen. I've never seen anything like it, it's so open! You seem so connected to your Uddiyana Bhanda. :D
Thanks, Chang! He's a gorgeous person, and a magnificent healer.

Before school started this morning, I was talking to a lovely German couple who suggested I go to Sri Lanka to study Ayurveda, Yoga, and Meditation in the Capital and down south(away from the war). That's a thought...I'll look into it! I've received offers to go to Egypt and Morocco as well. However, I still have a little under 6 months left to travel, so I don't need to decide now.
:D
I'm open.