elephants

Fed, rode, bathed and played with elephants last week... always a good time

chiang mai, I love you

Flew back to Chiang Mai last Sunday and it was a treat to be back. A good mix of seeing friends and getting back to some favorite spots.

mr. tong's

This says so much about an... interesting part of Thai society.

nong khai

Here's a look from a trip to Nong Khai, a border town to Laos with a big park with Buddhist and Hindu sculptures designed by an exiled Laotian in 1978.

And a few photos from a school visit I liked...

Works for everything!

fighting time

It was an amazing week working with students from the International School of Bangkok and world famous Muay Thai fighters. I have a new hobby...!
Working on elbow moves

Cuban trainer Juan Carlos

muay thai

This is what I am up to this week. More to come!

fishin' time

Today I went fishing for the first time, and there were no fishing poles involved, just sticks and nets. The Burmese string up a net across a pond and then walk around in the water hitting it with a stick to scare the fish into the net. I got in the water to try the technique and also found a few snails in the process. Once the fish are in the net you grab them by the gills and toss them in a bucket. Who knew fish fins were so sharp?!

 The catch of the day, tilapia

 Taking the fish out of the net

 Cooking up the fish

 Tada! Burmese fishing.

an isaan friday

Friday evening took us to an Isaan festival that was very similar to a Thai version of a county fair. I was asked to be in more than a few photos with curious locals who wanted to be by the 'farang!' (foreigner)

                   "Sit down!"

Lots of dancing and glittery costumes.

yum

Coming back to Thailand I realize how much I missed the food! Here is a photo of one of my favorite Thai meals- som tam (papaya salad), fish, sticky rice. All for under $3.

Also, as I saw this morning, you know you live in Asia when you wake up and have rice stuck to your foot.

coconut? or perhaps some cane ball...

Every day has something new here in Thailand- here are a few favorites from the past week!

Climbing the tree for coconuts

Chin lone, or cane ball, is the national sport of Myanmar and involves keeping in the ball using feet, legs or heads. Some movements and kicks are similar to a dance or martial arts, and the game is about 1,500 years old and once played for Burma royalty. Here's a look as I work on a continuing photo essay about the sport.