The past couple days have been busier than expected in some ways but definitely a good time.  Noi and Cho took us to a local restaurant that serves very good food, to include steaks with some pretty yummy fries in addition to the traditional Thai meals.  Afterwards, we rode the scooters over to a nearby park along the river that has exercise equipment and seems popular for car enthusiasts and river recreation.  It was nice to just get out and take in the sites; although, I think Moscow and Pullman have Surat beat when it comes to cleanliness of park areas.

After hanging out at the park for a brief time, we went back to Noi and Cho's house to get their mother to go to the Monkey Training College.  The first time I went there, I really had no idea what to expect. 

This time around at monkey college was a little different in many good ways, but I do wish the lady giving the class had talked a little more in English for Caleb's and my sake.  The hardest thing to get used to when being in a country where I don't know much of the language is the feeling of being lost and very confused.  It is good for both Caleb and me to experience this problem, of course, because Noi will face a similar situation in America when she arrives.  However, I turned on the television to the Syfy channel yesterday because it was one of the few English speaking channels here...I was really just longing to feel like the intelligent person that I am instead of a shy little child with no real way to communicate what I am thinking. 

I do plan to learn more Thai before I come here next time...I hope that will help me feel a little less dependent on Noi and others to get around.  I also am tired of being pitied as being shy when that's not really the problem...the problem is my lack of language despite my desire to be part of the conversations.

Today (Sunday in Surat) has been interesting.  Noi and I got up and had breakfast (too much food...ugh!) and then we just relaxed until lunch time.  For lunch we went to the mall, which was good because it was more like being back home in the sense that the stores were familiar, and the food was familiar.  We went to a local pizza joint that has really good food for pretty cheap.  It was nice to sit in a bright, happy place and not really worry about the language for a little while.  Caleb was a bit of a celebrity, though, as many of Noi's friends were at the mall and wanted pictures with him.  Caleb is feeling a little bit overwhelmed by his sudden popularity, but secretly I think maybe he is flattered.  He is taking this trip in stride and has gotten into exploring the city a bit on his own (after traffic has slowed down a bit).  The good thing about this is that he is developing the coping strategies he would need if and when he decides to travel abroad again (either with me, on his own, or with other classmates).

Well, after lunch and exploring the mall, we came back to the hotel and have just been relaxing.  One of the problems I have been having over here is that I brought the wrong shoes for walking much, and the problems I have had with pain in the arch in my left foot have been acting up.  I do what I can, to include taping up my arch (thank goodness for the athletic training classes in high school).  However, I am limited right now in how much I can walk.  I will have to go see a doctor when I get back home, but for now we are just not walking as much this trip.

Not much more for now to share.  I am posting a few pictures with this post, but these represent only a fraction of the pictures that have made their home on my computer.