after our two day stint at RENEW, Jayne and I headed off to Thailand, to meet up with my friend Nikki, to see my friend Bill’s orphanage, to check out volunteer opportunities for Jayne, and to eat as much Thai food as we could possibly fit into our stomachs.  it was a great time.  seeing Nikki was wild - crazy hanging out at a restaurant in Thailand thousands of miles from where we came to know each other.  we loved it.  so much that we’re spending Christmas together in Thailand, along with some other good friends from home.  Jayne and I stayed at a fantastic hostel called The Green Tulip, which we thoroughly enjoyed.  We went to the Sunday Night Market, twice, and found all kinds of treasures, including fisherman’s pants, which are super light weight baggy cotton pants.  (Jayne pointed out that What Not to Wear would probably have a lot to say about them, but we love them anyway.)

we also got to visit Breanna’s House of Joy, which is a fantastic orphanage for tribal girls who are at a high risk of being trafficked and exploited.  Some family friends started it, and it was a privilege to be with the girls and enjoy life with them for a couple of days.

a highlight, for sure, was our day of “trekking” (which really means riding in a jeep to various places and a 10 minute hike to a waterfall).  we went to an elephant camp, and rode an elephant named Todi.  it was a little bit insane, and I was definitely nervous since I was sitting on his neck, not in the nifty little seat on his back.  it took me awhile to get used to the uneven gait of an elephant, and I was impressed with the mahout who ride on top of their heads without even holding on.  they have great balance.  we rode through rice fields and up a stream, and it was an incredibly beautiful day.

pictures are on facebook…maybe I’ll load some here too, when I get a chance.