Water, water everywhere nor' any drop to drink.

Breakfast was at 8 followed by a trip to the Mountainous villages. Our trip today began here at Bel Air Villa's in a silver truck driven by the owner. This time we didn't ride in the truck bed but in the comfort of air conditioning and luxury seating. Our trip would take us 30 Kilometers from town on winding roads, past water buffalo, stray dogs, goats, cows, and countless scooters, trucks, and people on foot. The village we were going to visit was in a remote spot. The villagers have no running water, no electricity, no shoes, and barely any clothing on. Once there, we were met by the children who were weary of us never having seen white people. They quickly hid behind each other taking refuge by those who would protect them. There was an abundance of chickens and chicks running amid the children and their huts. Corn stalks, coconuts in trees, and pink zinnas could be seen behind fences made of bamboo. The children warmed up to us after their pictures were taken and they saw themselves for the first time in our cameras. After looking at the photos they became giddy, laughing at their expressions and begging for us to take more pictures.

We were led into the mountains by two young men who would show us their only water source, a hole in the side of the mountain a mile away into the jungle. We began our trek on the red slippery red clay path into the vegetation that quickly became ragged and steep. It was hard walking as the heavy wet clay stuck to our weighted sandals. We managed to make our way on the six inch wide red, ant infested, path slipping and dripping. I took my shoes off as it got easier to walk barefoot as my sanles were caked in an inch of the red wet clay. We went on and up admiring the green plants, few flowers, but not the red ants that soon discovered we tasted good. Our climb into the mountains became excruciating as the humid air quickly took the breath out of us and soaked us from the inside out. We were showering in our own perspiration and the bugs loved it. We made our way to the top breathless: ourselves and the view.

Getting down from the mountain proved to be much harder then the climb upward. We had been rested and cool before our climb up but now we were hot, tired, and sweaty. As we began the steep descent we were all slipping and having a hard time not falling. There was nothing to hold onto and the footing was very slippery. We did make it back down to the village after slogging through the swamp like trail and taking a few breaks to rest along the way.

As we came upon the villages we could hear the laughter of the children growing stronger as we came closer. They were almost cheering with excitement. We were coming back and they wanted their pictures taken! The were cute and sincere and one boy said "Thank you very much"in the English he had learned in school.

We drove back from the village past: rocks and mud that had fallen from the nearby embankments, many villages, scooters, rice paddy's, water buffalo, cows, stray dogs, goats, women, men, and children. We discovered that nobody drives on their side of the road, you may pass on a solid line, and on a hill, just put the pedal to the metal. Also, If you are talking on your cell phone put your blinker on, beep whenever a car gets to close or if there is a dog in the road or a scooter you want to pass.

Back at the villa we decided to go into "town" to a local noodle shop where I think I ate the best noodles I've ever had. Jamie and I walked back to our villa afterwards to rest and recline and yes, to sleep. We need our naps more now then ever! Tonight we are again venturing out to the night market at 6, back at 8 and then packing. Tomorrow we go back to Thailand, to Chaing Mai.