November 14

Laura, Abby, Katie and I went into Bangkok to shop at the Chatuchak Market. We took a 2 1/2 hour public van ride into Bangkok, then rode the skytrain to the market. Laura had told me that the market was big and I believed her, but in my wildest dreams I never would have imagined anything this ginormous, 35 acres to be exact! If you came across something and wanted it, you'd better pick it up because there is no way you'd find your way back if you ventured too far. They had anything you could possibly want. Clothing and accessories (lots of western wear, oddly enough!), toys, home decor, kitchen and bath products, sunglasses, and lots of stands with yummy fruits and clementine juice. I will have to take some pictures of the things I purchased for myself and put them up here when I finish with our trip postings.

Abby and her first REAL mangoes and sticky rice

These little soup stands were plentiful too. You just picked the veggies and meat that you want and they turn it into soup at a little vendor cart. We did a pretty good job of snacking our way through the day, but didn't have any of this soup. In addition to the mangoes, we had some mangosteens (not my favorite), pineapple, clementine juice, spring rolls and ice cream.

Brave Ms. Abby riding the BTS skytrain, standing up!

The girls had to carry their own purchases and decided to take a bit of a rest on these comfy seats. I never did figure out exactly what this was supposed to be.

I came home and TRIED to find these Seaweed flavored Pringles, with no luck. They were so good!

Abby and that ice cram I told you about. It was BLUE mint chocolate chip ice cream that we found at the BTS station. Tasted just like the green stuff and it was so hot and humid that it hit the spot perfectly!

They really pack you in tight in these public vans. Every seat is taken and then some. Poor Katie fell asleep with her head resting on a boxed piece of furniture belonging to the man with headphones.

After a full day of shopping and traveling, we went back to Muak Lek and just hung out with Ryan, Jeremy and the other 4 kids. They enjoyed the freedom of playing outside on the campus from early morning until the sun went down!