I've done a lot since I wrote last.  Now, in spring, when there are only 2 months left, when the long cold winter is finally over and it's nice out, it's warming up and the streets are dry, now there is no time at all to write.  Yesterday, for example, even though it was Sunday and I should have had some free time, instead I participated in a dance marathon for "Best Buddies."  I did it last minute and had time to gather only a small amount of money, but I danced the whole 8 hours and supported the cause, raised awareness and had fun.  The cause is integration of people with disabilities into society, a very needed service in Russia.  I even won the contest for best dancer in the "afro-jazz" category and someone filmed an interview with me!

In other dance news, I am gearing up for the concert for the classes I've been taking.  It will be sometime in June, probably the 10th.  I've invited all my friends and co-workers.  If I get a video, I'll post it.  It's one belly dance and one Indian dance.

I am glad to say I am over my sickness, although I missed work for two whole weeks because my ear canal ruptured.  Why or how I don't  know, I just know it hurt!!  But my roommates called the doctor and raced to the pharmacy and all turned out o.k.  Maybe I needed a bit of a break, anyway.

I went to a concert -- technically poetry-reading -- of Vera Polozova.  She is an up-and-coming poet, actress and author.  I got into her poems this summer as part of the course of study at Moscow State, and made friends with the Russian stuents who follow her.   When she came to Moscow a couple weeks ago, my friends and I decided we can't miss it.

Well, I wish you all the best.  I'll give you more descriptions of our Thai adventures when I find time.  I want to describe all that, because it rocked.  And they are very interesting, funny stories!  Can't wait to come home July 1.  I already bought a round-trip ticket, returning in September.  Homesick but happy!  God bless,
Beth

More Thai adventures

WATERFALL ERAVAN


This is a site in the river in Thailand where many people swim.  There are slippery rocks and it’s dangerous to climb on them.  You could smash your head and die.  But we all did it anyway.  We got to the waterfall where people swim (there are lots of little falls all along the river) and had to take turns – the other person must guard our stuff against monkeys!  I went first.  The water was full of fish, fish that love to eat the dead skin off your toes.  Yes, they bite, but not with teeth.  It really tickles and feels weird.  I got in and they all started eating me, and it was so strange and tickly that, even though the water was cold, COLD, I soon jumped right in!  I love life!!
Then I swam out to the rocks under the falls (see facebook pics) and climbed up.  I had a real model photo session.  It was refreshing and just really fun.


Buddhist temple
Later on we went to a modern, active temple (as opposed to so many ancient ruins we had seen and would see).  There was a giant golden (thin) Buddha.  When I say giant, I mean it took up the whole temple, whose ceiling is as high as in a Catholic cathedral.  There we saw a man, woman and child doing some fortune telling.  It was really endearing.  The woman was clearly the mother, with her father interacting with the 2-year-old (max) girl as she filmed them.  The grandpa had a cup of sticks which he shook until one of them fell out.  I suppose there are different fortunes on each of them.  We got it on video.


HOT SPRINGS
That night at the hotel on the river, I mean so on the river that you have to be careful of not falling in, Pasha and I each bought a two-hour massage.  Yay!
Next stop: the Hindad Hot springs.  I am sensitive and can’t just get in a hot tub like some people can.  I have to start with my big toe and go slowly, slowly in from there.  There were two stone “tubs” alongside the river: very hot and even hotter.  The idea is you go from one of them to the river and back, and it’s like a Russian banya: hot cold hot cold, and the dramatic change in temperature is supposed to be good for your health.   Well, I was able to go in the hot one eventually, and then in the river, and I even got in the very hot one for a couple seconds.

Thailand :)

Hello faithful readers,
well, it's almost April and still cold, wet, snowy and nasty.  What a spring!  But enough about that...  let's get lost in memories of the good old days... escape from reality as I write about when I had a week (which for me was 10 days, including weekends and Monday) off and went to Thailand.  It was my first time in Asia, and it couldn't be better.  I posted 800 or so pics on facebook, so if we're not "friends" just request and you'll get to see them.

Arrival
Pasha and I left after work on Friday and came back on Sunday of the next week.  We took the metro to a train to the airport and then flew overnight to Bangkok.  Pasha had been there once before.  He told me about a variety of excursions available, and wanted to do as much as possible.  I was like, why would we run around like crazy?  Why not just rest at the beach all day every day?  It's vacation!  But as our plans unfolded, we were able to compromise and do almost everything we wanted to.

The first Thai person I saw was standing in the tunnel leading from the plane to the airport.  He actually smiled at me.  What a contrast from hanging out with Russians all the time!  I will remember that smile.

When we got through a ridiculously long line to customs to enter the warm, tropical country, we found our tour agency and they put lays on us, just like in the movies!  They were made of real orchids.

After arriving at our hotel, The Splendid Resort, which is small enough to be cozy, yet very elegant, well-decorated and generally fine, we got some food and got settled in.  By the time we got there it was very late, so the first day was just arrival, getting through the airport, bus ride to Jomtein with tour guide instructions and information about the country, getting into our hotel, dinner and pass out.

First excursion: Ayutaya, Eravan, hot springs, modern Buddhist temple, elephant show, elephant riding, massage, Kwai.
The next day or the day after, I forget, we went on our first two-day excursion to Ayutaya and the river Kwai.  Ever heard of the movie bridge over the river Kwai?  That’s the one.  Ayutaya is an ancient cite of a Buddhist temple, now mostly decayed, but the ruins are still there.  It was pretty impressive.  See the pictures for yourself.  It was also very hot.  I mean very, very hot and sunny.  Then we got back on the bus and went to the jungle.  On our way there, the guide told us to beware of aggressive thieving monkeys.  Yes, ma’am!  We finally arrived and were pretty dehydrated.  The heat was oppressive.  We desperately needed to get to the souvenir stand to buy some water.  Despite our hats, sunblock and sunglasses, the heat as we trekked through the jungle to the site of the waterfall lulled us into a zombie-like state.  However, it was exciting to be in a jungle.  We finally got to the place where we bought a drink and a snack, then sat down on a bench to eat it.  We had our swimsuits and things in a bag with us.  We went to take a look at the river and take some pics.  I went around a table, and on the way back, I stopped in my tracks.  Good thing I was looking down!  A long, thin, light-green snake was in my path.  A wild snake, with nothing between me and it!!  I very slowly, carefully went around it.  We sat quietly and munched, enjoying the day.  I looked over to the river again and noticed a huge, I mean 4-foot lizard on a rock in the middle of the river.  Cool!! See pics on facebook. 
All of a sudden, down from the tree we hadn’t noticed was right next to us, a monkey climbed and tried to take our food!  It was really bizarre.  Even after the warnings, we weren’t expecting THAT!  She just came out of nowhere, literally right beside us.  We both jumped back in surprise and fear and Pasha managed to grab our stuff back and kick her away.  Those things are really aggressive!  We finished eating in caution, and, as soon as we got up to leave, she ambused us from the other side.  She had been waiting for us that whole time.  She grabbed hold of the bag, but so did Pasha and the handle broke.  Darn monkies!

I'll tell you about the rest later.  So many adventures.    I am home sick from work today with an earache, so if you read this, say a prayer for me. Thanks,

Love always,
Beth