Habitat for Humanity

On Sunday, after our glorious run (see blog below), we woke up bright and early (after 5 hours of sleep) to help out another awesome cause....Habitat for Humanity! We went to volunteer some of our time to help build homes in a rural area nearby Bangkok. The current project goal is to build 80 homes within a year. Much like the United States, the homes are offered up to people who make between 5000 to 10,000 baht a month (150 dollars a month=5000 baht). Many of them are living illegally in these areas, so Habitat is trying to promote safe living conditions for these people and the motivation to help create a working communiyt for themselves. During our time, we made friends with a bunch of Thai University students and had fun "taking a break" with our buddies while using our muscles to tie together small silver wires. The project was on the second floor, so we spent a lot of time monkeying around on precariously placed wooden platforms! :) Overall, it was a great time spent helping out others and getting some sun!

"Take a Break!" That's what our Thai University friends kept telling us! Ha, ha!


Using the pliers to twist up the wires! Ohhhh that rhymed! :)


Sitting on the job!


This is the view below my pants! Don't drop the pliers!


Monkeying around on the job!

Midnight Run/Bangkok 2007

Hidy Ho everyone! This past weekend, my roommates and I decided to spend a fun-filled weekend together.....again! Ha, ha! We're kinda addicted to each other actually. In any case, we joined some of our fellow colleagues to run a charity race here in Bangkok at the stroke of midnight! It was to help benefit an organization here in Bangkok that helps orphaned children in Bangkok who are suffering with AIDS/HIV. The run actually started at midnight, and you could choose between a 7km or a 12km course. Guess which one I chose? :) Anyways, the run was a lot of fun, minus running in the city and inhaling the steam from the food carts that we passed by. I think my eyes were watering at one point. Lotsa spice people! I found the run to be somewhat similar to one in the states except: A) we had to keep collecting colored rubber bands to make sure you weren't cheating AND B) I passed an elephant on the street while I was running...he was cheering us on! Ha, ha! Anywhoo, here's some pics of our crazy night!

On the BTS before the Big Run!


This lady was quite the competitor.....cardboard legs and all!


Gotta stretch!....Don't want to pull a hammy!


The teacher crew before the race!


WE made it!...Medals and All!


In America, you get your standard bananas and yogurt after a race....in Thailand, it's rice soup and spices!

Khao Yai

Two weeks ago, my roommates and I decided to escape the heat and the smog of Bangkok to bask in the national forests of Khao Yai (Mountain Big). After making friends with a random cab driver, we ended up ditching the idea of riding a bus and went with the flow of having our own personal cab driver! He even wore aviator shades and had the best 70's funk collection of music I've seen this side of the world! After a 2 and a half hour cab ride, we finally arrived at a glorified hostel complete with a waterfall swimming pool, pet turtles on the premises, and the friendliest Thai people I have met here in Thailand! Their smiles were gigantic, and they continually told me, "You look like Thai people. You are so beautiful!" What's not to like about that?! :) This hostel was great because they also set you up on tours, so we booked one for the next day. Here's some highlights of our trek through Khao Yai, which happens to be Thailand's first and oldest official park with more than 70 different species of mammals and a high elevation of 1, 351 meters above sea level at the highest peak, Khao Rom! We weren't lucky enough to see elephants, but they're not so high profile in the wet season. We're definitely going to go back though! Maybe some elephant pics then! :)

Riding in the Song Teau (two benches) on the way to the park....it's basically the back of a pickup truck but on highered benches.


We made it! The entrance to Khao Yai!


Looking pensive....yes, I do believe I see a squirrel!


This squirrel has a gigantic tail!


These, my good friends, are leech socks. You put them over your pants to avoid having your blood sucked by the little buggers!


This is my new Thai boyfriend. He taught me how to properly wear leech socks. I see a long future ahead of us! Yesiree!


Yeah for leech socks!


Removing leeches


This is a leech....aren't they small?! They move wicked fast though! Heather found one on her water bottle and it nearly made it to her mouth!


A view from our hike


This grass is taller than me! Let's play "spot my roommate!" Our guide told us that this is where the elephants sleep at night.


We made it through the tall, tall grass to get to the observation tower


The path seen from the top of the tower


The local watering hole....a.k.a. A little lake next to the tower


We're on the lookout for elephants!


Hey you! Down there!


My "boyfriend" using the machete to cut at the cinnamon tree. What a strong man! :)


Taking a whiff of the cinnamon tree.


A great fig tree in the forest. The roots grow down from the tree and start to circle the trunk. After some time, the roots become so wrapped around the tree that the inner trunk decays and the tree becomes hollow.


I think....I see....


This is a Gibbon! It's a tailless ape that uses his long arms to move through the trees. Isn't he cute?!


The Great Horned Bill (it kinda reminded me of the Toucans of Costa Rica)


A cool looking bug


A great snap of a yellow butterfly


A Yai (big) Waterfall!


Too Dangerous to go in, so I settled for a pic! :)


It's a monkey! No...wait...it's just Heather and our trusty guide! ha,ha!


A family of monkeys in the trees!


More Monkeys! Keepin it clean!


It's Ah!! Our most trusted trail guide! He was so passionate about animals! So smart too!


A really fun bridge in the park. Yes, I am a dork!


Yesiree folks, a certified squatter toilet! You put your feet on the sides, bend down, and do your business! You actually use the clean water, to the left, to self-flush the toilet. You put the clean water in the bowl to help make "your business" go down the drain! These are found in more rural parts of Thailand but also some places here in the city. Thank goodness I have a real toilet at home! :)


Can you find the snake?


Here she is! You can tell it's a girl by the color of the eyes or at least that's what they told us! The snake had eaten a rat the day before we came, so they had placed her in the tree to take time to digest. I guess that even when they're sleeping, as this snake was doing, they still keep their eyes open!


Highest Elevation in Khao Yai! Whew! It's cold! :)


We made it to the top! My roomies and I at the top of the mountain!


The next day after our trek through the park, Heather and I decided to take a day trip to a silly adventure park just outside Khao Yai. Our hostel owner, Tommy, took us there and showed us a good time. The adventure park had this mock American Indian/Cowboy theme to it. It was hilarious! Here's some pics of us being kids and of course, as always, dorks!

Feeding the baby....cute little bugger!


I'm a cowgirl, baby!


Heather feeding the pony


Yesiree Bob! I stayed on for 30 seconds!! Wahoo!!


Safety First!


My first ride on an ATV!!


The ATV course we took....if you look close enough, you can find the spot where Heather said, "Eat my dust!"


Bumper Boats!


No kidding, you too can dress-up like an American Indian! Even if you're Thai!! ha, ha!


Can You Spot the Real American Indian in the Picture?????


There are all kinds of fun fruit stands on the ride home, we had to stop and get some grapes and a pomegranate.


My favorite pastry lady and a great pic to end our adventure! :)