Phitsanulok, Thailand

NR, K and I skipped school, today. Mee brought us around to the waterfalls. She's amazed at how we loved nature so much. Asked us why. She said she want to understand our likes and dislikes so that she can be a good host to all our future compatriots.

Can't imagine how. She's such a terrificly nice lady. Was so so lucky that Mee ended up as our foster mum. Funny coincidence was that she "housed" the previous 2 SEAS presidents too. Hah.



It's not as if I've never been to a rural area before, but it was my first experience sitting practically in the middle of the forest having lunch. Not something I'd want to do on a regular basis, but a definitely unforgettable experience.

It was fun bonding with Mee, but kinda wished we brought the twin terrors UM & MR along. Miss the noise of the two kiddies.

Loei, Thailand

We were up bright and early and eagerly anticipated the arrival of the rest. Had roti prata and phoo's infamous chaa yen yen. Yumz! Then bundled up into Mee's truck. NR rode upfront with Mee, phii and the kids while the rest of us rose at the back with YM and his friend. I chose to sit on the fender to enjoy the breeze as Mee zoom along, plus sitting on the floor of the pickup with the rest would make me feel claustrophobic. K was rather leery. LOL. I've gotten used to Mee's speeding away.



The journey was pretty long. But nice rural landscape we passed by. We reached only 3hrs+. MR & UM were laughing at how staticly windblown my hair was when I let loose my ponytail. There were so many people around. Mee led the way to a Muslim family living nearby where we had our lunch. Also had a very nice chaa yen yen in a cute clay pot which I shared with K and HZ. Took candid pics of MR & UM. They are so adorable and so like twins.

We spent some time watching the procession. Was difficult to take pics though since they wasn't even much standing room. It was supposed to be a Haloween of sorts. We were wondering why some guys were going around poking gals with some wooden contraption. We found out laters that it was supposed to be a symbol of a guy's ahem! Hmmm... taht was rather rude, isn't it.

Whilst making our way back to the pickup, some guy purposedfully strode towards me and held out his hand, where an extremely fat caterpillar lay on his palm. I was so hot, tired, bothered and thirsty. So I just gave him a bored glare. Apparently he got afraid that looks could kill. LOL. He looked taken aback, as taken aback as I that my glare had apparently contained so much animosity. LOL. It effectively shoo him away, though. LOL.

K, HZ and I were the first to reach the pickup. We stretched out for a while until the rest appeared. Then Mee slowly drove the pickup threading through the heavy traffic.

Next stop was to yet another member of Mee's family. They had cats. Which made MS scream, which made UM very amused. He looked at me in all innocence to confirm that she was indeed afraid of cats and then finished off wonderingly how funny that was. LOL. He's so adorable!

We reached home just about dusk, sending off the rest first. We have to go back to school tomorrow. Darn!

Phitsanulok, Thailand

We had assembled at Changi Airport, Singapore so so early in the morning. Of course I know it's a long journey, but it was way past 3pm when we finally touched down at the small Phitsanulok airport.

A bit of anxiety crept in seeing the place more rural than I'd expect. Was nice to get some SMSes from home.

We had to wait around a while for the bus to fetch us. Then a while more for our foster families. We felt a bit like orphans waiting to get picked up! Thank god NR and I ended up roomies. Yays! I could get along fine with anyone, but was nice that it was a good friend after all.



Our foster dad didn't say much to us, just smiled a lot. Our foster home seems right in town. NR and I are sharing a room above the family restaurant, separate from the family. Our foster mum seem very chatty, but it's difficult trying to decipher her license. I'm getting a bit nervous that my Thai isn't that good after all!