Another New Year

Sawat dee Everyone!

Sawat dee means both “hello” and “goodbye” in Thai.  Grandma and I have been on more adventures this week.  First, we finally found the botanic garden on campus!  Two of the entrances are closed for construction, but we walked around until we found the third entrance.  Isn’t this a pretty, peaceful place?  I met some bananas, but it was really confusing to find a model of the Eiffel Tower. Continue reading “Another New Year”

Saturday in Bangkok

Hi, Everyone!

Grandma was really busy teaching all week, so I spent most of my time with my new friend Elephant-san.  This morning, Grandma said we were finally going to have an adventure day!  I got ready in my traveling bag and then Grandma’s former student Dr. Porntip picked us up in a van.

We drove into Bangkok, and the traffic got busier and busier.  First, we went to the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall.  Rattanakosin is the old name for the central part of Bangkok.  The king built a new capitol there after the old capitol of Ayuthaya was destroyed.  The Exhibition Hall tells the story of Bangkok.  I got to see the model of the Grand Palace, visit an exhibit about the women’s quarters. and see how vegetables are carved into decorations.  That looks like a lot of work!  Then I made friends with a Khon mask and a dancer.  Porntip helped me see the Royal Ploughing Festival exhibit.  This is an old festival that the king started again to show the farmers they were important.  Before we left, I met a white elephant.

After lunch, we went to the National Museum.  Grandma couldn’t take pictures of me inside with all the old thrones and weapons, but I did get to pose near a pavilion and with a Bangkok cannon.  Then we drove  to Buddhamonthon Park, near the Salaya campus where we’re staying.  What a peaceful place after the busy city!  Do you suppose Elephant-san will mind that I made friends with another elephant?  This one is a shrub!

Now we’re back at the hotel, and there’s a rally going on.  Somebody is talking on a loudspeaker, and there is a lot of drumming.  This college campus is an exciting place to be!  Grandma says Saturday is just getting started back home, but here it’s my bedtime!

Love,

Lion-san

Christmas!

Hi, Everyone!

Between getting ready for Bill-kun and Karin-chan’s visit and Steven and Kara’s wedding AND Christmas, it’s been a very busy week!  After Grandma and Grandpa fixed up the front bedroom with bunk beds for Bill-kun and Karin-chan, I checked out the ladder to make sure everything was set.  Continue reading “Christmas!”