November 18th- train to Surin

**FYI...You may now click on every picture on the blog to enlarge them, beginning with this post.  I finally figured out why some pictures would zoom and some would not!**

We woke up early on the 18th, had breakfast and got our things
together until the van arrived to take us on the short ride to the train station.

The kids had lots of fun playing next and even on the tracks
 while we waited for our train.

A couple of RR workers strolled by on this cart.

                      

Abby found a comfy place to rest!

Our train arrived a few minutes late, but we had fun waiting for it!

ALL ABOARD!

We love all the Thai signs!
The funny thing was that the University Campus certainly had it's share of
representation from around the world, but it didn't really feel like another country.
Once we boarded this train, any illusion of not being in Thailand went away.

The kids entertained themselves quite well for the 5 hour train ride.
The bulk of their time was spent looking out the windows and
enjoying the wind blowing through their hair.

So did Jeremy!!
(And yes, the train was moving when we took this.  He's a nut!)

What train ride is complete without a visit from  the conductor?

Not long after leaving Muak Lek, we found the Buddah that we hiked up to!
See the yummy papaya on the tree in the foreground?  So good!

There were quite a few towns set up right by the railroad tracks.
There is quite a bit of poverty juxtaposed with the extravagance of the Temples.

More dogs, just free to roam.

Vendors would get on the train at different stops.  Some would hop
 on just for the length of the train stop, but most would walk back
and forth on the train, selling all kinds of food and drink.  This woman
had delicious little fried pastries.

They were really good!

Want a drink in Thailand?  It comes in a bag!!  There were
 drink stands set up everywhere that offered these.
  You can get coffee or fruit flavors and they sweeten them
with Sweetened Condensed Milk.

Family Transportation

Thailand is such a beautiful country.  So green compared to AZ too!

We passed quite a few farms.

And rice paddies.

Signaling to the train stop

Another Temple

Just when you think Jet lag lost it's hold on you... it creeps back.

The kids loved these yogurt drinks.  We found a Mexican version of them since
being back home, but no one likes them.  Yet another reason to go back to
Thailand some day!  :D

I am incredibly grateful for how privileged we are as a family and as a country.
I am also glad my kids were able to see that not all kids have lives like theirs.
 Hopefully it is a lesson that they will take with them from this trip.

The kids also spent some time reading and coloring during our long ride.

Proof that Security Guards everywhere look like they are 14.

In the US, we have Hollywood
In Thailand, they have... well, I don't know what because I can't read it.
But there it is anyway!  ;)

A rice paddy that has been plowed.

We arrived at the train station, excited to be embarking on the next leg of our trip.  Our hotel was just across the street from the train station, so we were able to decline all the offers from the tuk tuk drivers and just walk right over!