Today, it encompasses seven cities. Foreigners are enchanted by the architectural magnificence of Moghuls on display at the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Humayun's Tomb. The rickshaw ride in the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk seem outlandish to Westerners who are awed by the range of products, including handicrafts, footwear, and delicacies available here.

November 12, 2006

Last weekend was the Loy Kratong festival.  It is held on the 13^th lunar month during the full moon (the November full moon). 

I love finding a festival celebrating nature.  There are two activities, first the lanterns, which are big white balloons that are lit and released.  Some of them have fireworks as a “tail”.  It creates a sparkly tail like a comet.  They are usually white, but I saw some colored ones, and some groups write notes on them. 

Oh my gosh!  The Halloween party was crazy and not in a good way.  The Thai staff set up a whole trick or treat thing, which seemed great as Alicia and I set up all of the decorations and games.  We planned on having a party with games at 4:30 after ballet and doing cookies and trick or treating after dinner.  The Thai staff seemed to agree with that at our meeting with Dick (a whole other story).  Then at 4:30 they said no we are not doing games until after dinner?  Did we not discuss thi

October 31, 2006
I am ok, adjusting and definately feeling comfortable with the country and travel.  All Thai's seem to be so nice.  I was in someones way the other day and they didn't even say anything, just wait for me to move.  Too nice in my mind, I would have said something. 

Sunday morning I went to Wat Doi Sutep.  It is the biggest wat in Chiang Mai.  I took many pictures and observed a lot.  Once I felt I knew what all was happening I bought a flower, incense and candles for an offering.  There is a big golden tower in the middle and people walk around it and pray.  There is also an area for lighting incense and candles as an offering so I did all of the above.  Hey why not give thanks to Buddha.

October 15, 2006

I worked in the Montessori class today.  This is the first time I have worked in a Montessori class and it was very manageable.  I had between one and four students at a time.  English is basically the subject I work with because the other teachers are all Thai.  I worked on Letters and the difference between a letter and a sound.  Some of the children are ready to read.  Most of them are at the most basic level reading such as the cat sat on a mat.  Ahbe read me a b

October 12, 2006

Thursday.  I woke up this morning and didn’t really know what to do.  Sleeping in a real bed seemed like a nice idea, but also made me soar and stiff after so much plane sleep (or attempted plane sleep)  I unpacked a little so I can try to feel more at home.  Then I wandered around and found the flag ceremony.  This gave me a chance to talk with the other teachers and volunteers to get a feel for the place. 

October 10 or 11, 2006