Where in the World??

Hanging out with our friends...I believe we're taking the boat to the Siam Muesum

Hello friends!

Almost three weeks, 2,000+ pictures, two countries, four plane rides  and many adventures have brought me to this post since my last post. We have been very busy to say the least! 

Last week with teary eyes and fond memories we said goodbye to our friends in Thailand. In the weeks leading up to our departure, we were basically busy every waking moment... and then some. Toward the end of our time in Thailand, we just stopped sleeping at night so that we could have enough time for all of the adventures that were at our doorstep. What a ride we had being there for two months! Both Jonathan and I were surprised about how short two months felt after we were done. If you think traveling overseas for two months sounds hard, it would probably be easier than you think :). 

Since leaving Thailand, we have started our mini SE Asia tour before coming home. We kicked off our post-teaching activities with a visit to Myanmar where our good college friend Jacob is living and working as a teacher. It was wonderful to spend time with someone from home and be able to share our traveling experiences together. Jacob was a great host and tour guide. If you would like to visit Myanmar, we highly recommend a visit to Jacob :).

Although we have had a fabulous time in SE Asia, home is starting to sound very lovely. Jonathan's Mom keeps us dreaming with stories of spring time and pictures of our house that is waiting for us. Jonathan's family has been working on the house and we are SOO excited to see the changes!! 

With just 9 days in SE Asia left, we are taking it for all it is worth while really looking forward to coming home. We spent a couple days in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on our way to Indonesia. Today we're headed to the end of the world (aka Bokindini Indonesia) to visit some friends that Jonathan stayed with while he studied aboard in Indo in 2006. I'm expecting to make friends with the rats and cockroachs that I have heard many tales of from Jonathan's study experience in 2006. Jacob will be coming with us to Indonesia, so we know there is much fun to be had. :)

Thanks for reading and we will see you soon!

Liz and Jonathan

Siam Museum -- Any "The King and I" fans? Yep - That's Siam aka old Thailand

How many people can we fit in a tuk-tuk? I think our record was 7. The driver laughed at us.

Southeast Asia has a common phrase: "Same-Same-But Different..."
So funny to see good ol' Micky in a different culture where McDonalds means spicy chicken with rice
and corn or pineapple pies instead of apple of cherry. :)

Stretching our farmer muscles in Thailand. We road-tripped 3 hours with our friends who wanted to show us this farm!
It is the biggest dairy farm in SE Asia! Amazing to see the same job on the other side of the world!

 Home sweet Home.... only 30 times bigger :). Supposedly they milk 3,000 cows every day.
If you don't think farm tours are exciting... try doing on 100% in Thai. It's a riot.

Visiting the largest crocodile farm in SE Asia. What crazy animals. I wonder what God was thinking... :)

What can I say?? This guy is CRAZY.
 At the croc farm we watched a croc show in which a few men pulled stunts like this one and many others.
 It was terribly stressful.
Thankfully none of the people were eaten during the show

Our nick names in Thai! 

Party in the back of the bus!!!
We went on a weekend retreat to the beach with the other teachers and several of our students.
We played games CONSTANTLY. It was great!!!
For those who don't know... this would be the elephant game. If you haven't played it, you should :)

Visiting the front of the bus to snap a few photos.

One of many weekend activities with our students which included jelly fish hunting, playing ultimate Frisbee,
swimming (with the jelly fish), playing games, and much more.

Our group of students with our cell group. Good times!

Entire group shot from the weekend. These people are wonderful!

One of my April classes. We had fun together. We basically finished every class with a game of Hangman.
 This class was RIDICULOUSLY good at Hangman. I tried my best and I don't think I ever beat them! 

All of the foreign teachers.. :-) I like you guys!!

Lunch was like a party every day... I LOVED it!

Two of our classes at our final class party hosted by one of my students who owns a restaurant, hotel and a factory.
This was taken us on the rooftop garden. AMAZING!

Getting ready for a Thai massage set up by one of my students. Thai massage is.... thrilling to say the least :)
It involves lots of stretching, bending, twisting, and pulling.
I LOVED it!

Thai "BBQ" for our last big group meal before leaving Thailand.
 Notice all of the raw meat/food on the table and the grills in the center of the table.
Also notice how our grill (at this end of the picture) is completely charred.
We weren't very good at it. My student ordered us a new one so our food wouldn't stick so badly :)

Bangkok is an exciting place for tall people. You really, seriously, have to watch your head.
We both smashed our head several times on this bridge.
Thai people really enjoyed watching and laughing at us cross this bridge.

Girl Scout cookies?? In THAILAND?? I have the best nieces and nephews EVER!!
Thanks Jenna and Will and Bennet -- and Beck and Arric for the funding :)

Our first step of coming coming home... (On the way to Myanmar)
My amazing friend Alek took us to the airport at 4 a.m.!!

Hello Myanmar!! Visiting our college friend Jacob who is a teacher at Yangon International School

Visiting a Myanmar village. We were quite a spectacle. Everyone in the whole village came out to see us.
 EVERYONE wanted to touch the weird white people, repeatedly yell every English word they knew,
 and they LOVED getting their picture taken.
Check out the "mud" on their faces... it is sun block made from tree bark. SO COOL!!! 

Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar...
Supposedly it is over 20 tons of solid gold and precious jewels.
It was shiny! :)

Need to transport a flock of chickens? No problem! Let me get my motorcycle.

Need to move a crowd of people? No problem! Let me get my truck. (This is Myanmar Public Transportation)

Is is a truck? Tractor? Bus? All of the above! :)

Our sweet resort on stilts in the middle of Inle Lake. This made thunderstorms very exciting...and shaky :)

Remembering Good Friday by watching the Passion

Check this out!!!
The fisherman on Inle lake are known for this type of paddling. They do this WHILE they fish.
We tried doing this and lets just say we won't be changing careers anytime too soon.
Side note: Check out this guys legs! Incredible!
Also - you should see how FAST they move. It is simply amazing.