Memory Lane

Last night I got all sentimental (again) thinking and looking at pictures of Thailand and tonight I feel all sentimental sitting here making soup and watching Once. Here are some of my memories.

My hair is down in the picture for the first time in MONTHS. It was right after I had my hair cut/fixed because of an asian hair cut I accidently got when I could barely speak Thai. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I am in front of a poster of my boyfriend in the Bangkok subway as I liked to refer to him. When days were hard and the work was slow I would treat myself by conning my senior companion into making a stop at this station. He just got me. Dan bears a striking resemblance to this man. It was fate. The husband got me through those difficult days and he didn't even know it. Please wipe away your tear now.

Roy Kraton. A beautiful Buddhist tradition in which you make a little floating boat out of banana leaves and orchids, then go float it away in a body of water along with all your sins and a candle. Now this is my kind of repentance! It was such a beautiful night, I remember. We got together with the ward to make these then took a crowded city bus to one of The Queen's parks and added our shameful deeds to the rest of Bangkok's.

Sister Payne on top of Bangkok. Sorry if that made you think dirty thoughts. That is your fault, not mine. It was always so hot there and I was pink faced the whole time and I loved it. It was so so sunny that day it was all I could do to manage this squint for the photo.

One of the many pack dogs Bangkok has to offer. This isn't even the worst of it. In my last area there was this rabbid looking weiner dog, Max I called him, with no fur and a tumor hanging down from his stomach that would rub the road and therefore always be bloody. He had such character. Didn't get a picture of lil' Max, didn't need to, because his image is burned into my memory forever. I would see him every night on my ride home. For a few days I didn't and I thought he was a goner. Nope, that dog was tough, he was just taking a break it seemed.

Duk Duk! I love these things and so do the Monks. We were riding right behind them on our way downtown to renew our Visas. My second most favorite mode of transportation.

My most favorite mode of transportation. Klong boats. They parouse the dirty dirty waters of Bangkok and for a small price they will get you to exactly where you need to be. They stop for only small amounts of time so jumping in and out of these boats (no stairs my friends, just the boat right up against the dock for 35 seconds and loads of people getting on and off) with a skirt took a little bit of talent. I was a natural it seemed. When in transit the blue tarps were pulled up to the top of the boat and everything seemed dark, you, your companion and a sea of dark asian people. It is a memory that continues to take my breath away.

Couldn't figure out how to rotate this picture. We often came home soaking wet and very hot. A good missionary in Thailand always has a plastic bag up her sleeve... down her skirt... whateves. And please notice the little sock things I am wearing. I know you think your mission was the best, but mine actually was. We did not have to wear nylons. Praise be. I win.

I really love Thailand. The feelings I had there and the things I experienced will stay with me for as long as I let them. I think I will let them stay forever.

He's recording his album and going to London! I can hardly stand the piano part. I will wipe a tear away at that part.