Bangkok & Arrival in Chiang Rai

I slept most of the flight to Bangkok.  Every Thai person I encountered was so cute and smiley.  The Thai man behind me on the airplane got my carry-on down for me, then carried it for me until we got to off the airplane since it was so heavy.  How kind.  :) Since I had another 10 hour layover, I found the sightseeing counter & went on a canal tour through Bangkok.  perfect. The lady at the counter took me downstairs to meet my tour guide.  We stopped at a busy window with about 6 little Thai ladies, so I thought, "Great, my one-person tour will be a woman, I'll feel more comfortable with that."  The ladies though, didn't know where my tour guide went.  After a few minutes, they all BUST OUT LAUGHING (see, I love Thailand, I fit in) because my tour guide was standing literally right outside our window smoking, and y'all...  what a character.  He.was.ADORABLE.  He had on an over-sized shirt, cargo pants, he was wearing lots of jewelry and his glasses were super trendy with green and pink swirlies and hearts on them.  

He was hilarious and very helpful, the day just got better and better.  

We drove into Bangkok and visited a Gem-making factory, so cool.  I had my own tour-guide through the factory and she let me try on gold rings with sapphires and diamonds.  =)  

Then my tour-guide (his name was pronounced "oddie") went with me on a canal tour through old Bangkok.  I loved every second of it.  Every sight, every splash, everything we sailed by... I had so much joy the entire time.  I did wish at one point that I had someone with me to experience it with (I'll get real, I wished my husband could do this with me), but after wishing for it once, I decided, "No.  I am so happy, and this is so fun - by myself."  And I was content. I feel like I'm on a journey with God, which He promised to me a long time ago.  Maybe later I'll get bolder about sharing how He speaks to me, but I want you to keep reading, so I won't freak you out yet if you've never heard of God speaking to people.  =)  Just know for now that He is 100% faithful.  and flawless.  and real.  and present.  

Our boat stopped at a HUGE, BEAUTIFUL Buddhist temple where Oddie (definitely not the spelling) took me on a tour/history lesson.  Then we took a ferry across the river to eat lunch.  Here are some pictures of the things I encountered: 

Me & "Oddie"

Feeding fish from the boat

Charming sights along the canal

in front of the old capitol building (I think?)  That's a picture of the queen in the background, Thailand celebrated her birthday (Mother's Day) on August 12th. 

Hundreds gathered to celebrate the Thai Olympians.  What a cool thing to see.

One of my favorite things I've ever done in my life.   

My first Thai meal was delicious.  Then Oddie and I got back in our car with our driver & noticed the clouds had gotten very dark.  We weren't in our car more than 5 minutes before it started pouring - Praise God for great timing since our tour was finished - so thankful it didn't pour while we were on the canal.  I would've tried to embrace it, but I still had one more flight that night.  

And for even more perfect timing...  when we got out of the car at the airport, there was a band playing and a crowd cheering - the Olympians had just returned!!!!  Tons of reporters were there and people were covering the Olympians with flower necklaces (Dean & Lexi, do these have a name?)  So exciting!  

My new friend, Oy, helping me shop 

I was greeted by some families & two sisters at CRICS, Phon and Oy, who are spunky, smiley, giggly, and precious, and they both have kids in my class.  I love them already.  And actually, I spent most of today with Oy who told me "I love you already, Katie."  Awww!  They are my hosts here and greeted me at the airport with flowers.  They took me to a 7-11 (which is like Walgreens here) on the way home from the airport, then explained how some things work at my new home.  Oy came back Wednesday and took me shopping for more things I need.  We laughed a lot.  Everything is so new here that I seem to be forgetting basic things.  For instance, grocery shopping - the store looks exactly like a WalMart at home.  But when I got to the checkout line, I just pushed my buggy on through without unloading everything.  LE DUH.  #blonde.  It's not like I hadn't been grocery shopping before, or grocery shopping in another country before, too.  haha.  Few notes about things I can get in Chiang Rai - I was THRILLED to see Chlorophyll and Goji Berry drinks.  Pure and natural, nutrient-filled.  Google why they're good for you.  Fresh fruit is everywhere, and the Thai food is as excellent as everyone said.  Oy also gave me a little guided tour of Chiang Rai and took me to the university nearby.  I loooooved being on the campus (pics below).  It's gorgeous.  Amy Banta's mom was right, this place looks like paradise.

Doesn't it?