Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:40:59

Hi All,

So great to be back in Bangkok .  Flying in, we could clearly see the thousands of rather small rectangular tracts of land being used for farming – each including a small house. 

We are staying within a mile of where we stayed on our last visit to the city.  While Liz was taking her well earned “nap”, I explored the adjacent hotels and then wandered down the street and came upon this ceremonial plot on the corner of two major streets.  The central figure was a two-sided Buddha around which there were hundreds of bundles of incense burning to create a slowly ascending cloud – almost like a veil. 

Some people were kneeling in prayer, others sitting around the perimeter, some watching the eight elegantly dressed Thai dancers moving slowly to the live music performed by five men. 

The sidewalks are lined with street vendors selling all sorts of merchandise and cooked food.  Cab drivers hustling to have me go to one of their partnering clubs to experience their “Happy Hour” and entertainment of mostly transvestites for which Bangkok has some notoriety. 

Passing on that opportunity, I continued on to this gigantic shopping complex – four city blocks square and seven stories high containing everything imaginable.  I wonder how these local people can support such a huge concentration of retail stores.

At ground floor, there was this outdoor photo exhibit of various places on earth taken from various aircraft.  I had previously seen some of these photos.  There was a photo of New Orleans- after Katrina – water to the eaves of the houses.  Many more magnificent photos of the earth's features - natural wonders - some were of the scars left by man.  Adjacent, there was a flat surface – about half the size of a basketball court upon which was a map of the world.  After taking my shoes off, I walked on the oceans and gained a new perspective of the places I have seen and how large the world.  So there I was, standing barefoot on the Pacific Ocean, looking at the photographs of the world, listening to the cacophony of sounds – the people talking in different languages, sounds of the traffic, and the faint sound of the music being played for the Thai dancers.  So there I was – in a moment of wonder – expanding. 

Later, I told Liz that I feel like I have a similar spirit to that of Marco Polo and his wanderlust and immersion into the people of different places. 

Love,

Mark

14 Jul 2008 6:03:25 A.M.

Hello Nancy,

We had a wonderful meeting with Duang Prateep (sp?) and will share with you all the details and pictures soon.  Definitely a stop on the volunteer vacation.  We purchased handcrafts that were made by the children and elders in extreme poverty and individuals who created items after the tsunami.  Wonderful that we could support them immediately and for long term.  They need help with building playgrounds (Mark has all the details).  

My favorite picture is me in the midst of the children who are hearing impaired....I cried.   

Also went to the Temple of Dawn and took pictures of the school with students in class.  Unfortunately, Haranto sleeps between 2:00 - 4:00PM and we were there at 2:00.  They tried to wake him up, but to no avail. 

I must run right now, but wanted to let you know we are making good progress. 

Lots of love and more love,

Liz 

P.S. We are shooting with National Geographic on July 21st with the elephants.  How exciting.  I believe the show is going to air in October.  Great timing!

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:12:17

Hi Glenn,

We are in Bangkok and have done some filming in the slums of Bangkok as well as of this amazing school in the middle of the slums that provides care, education, and hope for the children. 

They are looking for corporate sponsors so that they can build a playground for the children.  Also, they are looking for funds to create a palm oil factory.  The factory will provide a needed renewable resource as well as sustainable jobs.

Any ideas? 

We filmed an interview with the Secretary General of the Queen's Elephant Reintroduction Foundation.  We have much information to share with you and your crew.  Your questions are great.  Looking forward to working with your crew. 

Mark & Liz

Thanks Nancy! 

We are so excited about our journey with you!!!!!!!!!!!

We are off to a Fair Trade organization today - ThaiCraft Fair Trade Co. which we hope/think is going to be a very good visiting place for people on the trip to learn about Fair Trade and the sustainable income it creates for people in poverty. 

Their website is www.thaicraft.org  

Love,

Liz

18 Jul 2008 09:59:09

Hi,

Bangkok: Poor living conditions, Duang Prateep School for underprivileged children we support. 

Lampang: Elephant Camp - we had a six hour conversation with the world's most knowledgeable elephant expert - Richard Lair. 

Chiang Rai - Akha hill tribe people we support. 

Heading up to our elephant camp tomorrow (Sat) for more very busy days. 

Know that we are nowhere near

the tensions at the border of Thailand and Cambodia concerning the Thai temple that is now claimed by Cambodia. 

Also - According to a Karen tribe member, the Karen tribe in Burma fought alongside the English in World War 2. After being granted their independence, the Karen tribe as been at odds with the Burma/Myanmar government. 

The Karen have been pushed back to live by the border in the delta region and it is the government's intention to eliminate the Karen from Myanmar.  The Burmese and Karen people were hoping that President Bush or the UN would step in and overthrow the existing government and assist in bringing order to Myanmar. 

Otherwise, it is the government's intention to build a dam at the delta and flood the Karen out of Myanmar.  The government does not want the Karen to receive any aid. 

We are doing great and continually amazed as to how much we are learning and how wonderful people can be. 

Love,

Mark & Liz