Validation

My friend Michelle sent this to me and I had to share it with you as it is what the world needs more of...In Thailand they are known for their smiles...I find the people here so warm and so sweet...I have not meet anyone in a bad mood! They are always happy...yet they have so little..what does that teach us?...That stuff is not what makes you happy! Yes stuff can make you happy, but that's not the happy I'm talking about, their happiness comes from within.

I love it here, everyone bows to you, and each other...from babies to very old...it is their custom...can you see in the states someone bowing to you?...Not!

Did I mention I went on a motorcycle with my friend Richard from next door? Well I did and with him at the helms I was not scared, as he is a safe driver...we went to the 7/11 down the street for some water...today we got our own water system, so no more running out of water...In our shopping today I picked up some cute little Buddha lamps..the shopping here is just amazing, the art is off the charts!...what talent here, I was in awe everywhere I looked.

There was a picture of my stained glass "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt, it was 6ft tall by 4 ft and it was $1000.00 dollars, in the states it would have sold 3-4 thousand or more...it was breath taking...but no way to carry this on pubic transportation or a taxi...who has $1000.00 anyways?...Hello that's is why we're moving here...lol it is the designer in me that see's all the possibilities here...it's all good

Now the learning of how the currency works here is a little baffling, at least to me...math is not my cup of tea anyways...you have to divide 35 into any amount to learn the price in US dollars...for example the Kiss painting was 35000 baht so to get the amount in US dollars you would divide. 35 into 35000 baht = to get $1000 US...So you need a calculator everywhere you go..

Another thing here is haggling...once they give you a price you try to get it down by 20%...I had not done this anywhere but here, and they love it...it embarrasses me and I feel it is already very cheap...but I play along then I just give them the 20% as a tip and of course they bow and are so truly grateful...I love it that part!

Well it is almost my bed time here 8pm...lol...in the States Ken is known by in bed by 10 Ken....here it is 8pm!! And me too as we are up before sun rise having coffee on our porch...I know when we live here it won't be like that, I hope! Normally I like sleeping in and going to bed late...not here! it's all good

There has been over cast weather everyday, as it is still the rainy season here, very cool nights (windy) I have no suntan at all...when we came here 4 years ago it was in April and it was deadly hot and very humid...it's still very humid...so a little rest before the full blown summer months...no complaining as there is plenty of time for sun when we come back..IT'S ALL GOOD!!