Our Last Dinner in Thailand

We are having dinner on the river before catching a cab for the
airport. We have an 11pm flight. I'll need all my strength in case I
have to tackle a fellow passenger.

Global Customization

When people talk about personalized tailoring in Thailand, they aren't
kidding.

Bangkok, Oriental City

Here's a view from our room at the Marrott. It's a great hotel, and
there's beautiful views from every corner.

We leave tomorrow evening to go back to Okinawa.

Breakfast in Bangkok

We arrived in Thailand yesterday with nothing to do, a refreshing
change. We went to a market, ate dinner on the river, then went
swimming.

Today, we continue in nothingness as I read The Power of One.

A Troubled Bridge over Water

This rickety-rackety bridge charges money for people to cross. It
seems like I should be paid from some thrilling reality show to cross
it.

Coke in the Jungle

On Wednesday, we went on a tour that hiked through the jungle through
a village to see a beautiful waterfall area. I can't remember the name
of it now, but it was breathtaking.

During our lunch break, there was a Laos woman selling drinks and
chips. To my surprise and contentment, she had Coke Zero. I find it
hard to beleive that the Laps and Hmong people are concerned about
their weight, but it worked out well for me.

This continues to show that there are no undiscovered places on the
planet anymore. All has been changed by tourism to some degree, no
matter what your Lonely Planet book says.

Coke Zero has beaten you there.

Please Feed the Monks

In Luang Prabang, monks begin their day accepting alms for daily food.
This feeds the monks and helps the giver earn karma credits. While
some may see this as a touching gesture, it is a works-based salvation
(like most other religions). Christianity differs in this regard. Food
is given because there are hungry people, not for any intrinsic, other-
worldly gain.

Aside from the theological issues, this event was too touristy
with scores of Europeans shoving cameras into the faces of the monks.

Don't worry, Kristie was not one of them.

A View from Above

We became quite adept at navigating across this Hanoi intersection
that we were mistaken for Vietnamese.

Did you know that on my first trip to Vietnam in 2005, I was hit by a
motorbike?

A Breakfast Loaf

My pmlette today came with a side of bread--a whole loaf. Crispy and
light, this bread was like cotton candy.

I suppose this is a perk of French colonization.

Espresso Machiatti

We found a great Italian restaurant with real live Italians here in
Hanoi. Now, off to the Army Museum to see some Communist propaganda.

Kristie at Breakfast

Drinking incredibly strong coffee at our hotel.

Fighting Vietnamese Mopeds

It is a sport trying to cross street. We had two great noodle dishes
for lunch and dinner.

Welcomed in Hanoi

We finally arrived in Vietnam, and we were greeted with delicious
mango welcome drinks.

Starting Line

We are off for our trip to Hanoi, Laos, and Bangkok. It started well
with Sky Parking, a service where you drive your car to the departure
dropoff and a guy comes to take your car. When we return, he'll return
it when we leave baggage claim. The car will be detailed as well. Not
bad.

Off course, we could be a couple of American suckers and it's in the
chop shop now.

Rollin' in McMinneville

Last weekend, we went to Hotel Oregon in McMinneville, Oregon, for a weekend with Eric and Maria. Kristie and I went there years ago for our anniversary, and have wanted to return. We made reservations in March, and we were excited to spend the time with our friends.

We did a bit of wine tasting, including this place in Carlton, Oregon. Cana's Feast had a view that reminded us of Tuscany. We played a couple of games of bocce ball. I think I won all of them. It must be the Italian in me.

At night, we watched Julie & Julia, a movie that I'm a bit embarrassed that I enjoyed. I never thought that my interest in Julia Child would be piqued by a movie.

A Philly Macchiato

Walking around the Italian area of Philly, I found this cool coffee
shop where I ordered a macchiato. It reminded me of my many trips to
Italy. Not the taste or the atmosphere, just the ordering of many
macchiato.

From Okinawa to Denny's

I'm in Denny's waiting for Joe to come eat breakfast. My trip to
Seattle was unexpectedly extended when my car broke down on the
highway. It's been a fun trip with Kristie's folks, and they haven't
kicked me out yet!

I'm pleasantly surprised with how good Denny's coffee is. Have I been
away from the U.S. too long?

A View from My Hotel

Here's a shot from the lobby of our hotel in Utah. It's a great place.

My Hell

5 children sitting within 2 rows equals many frustrating moments ahead
on this flight from Tokyo to San Franscisco.

I wish they had kid-free flights. I'd give up my bag of peanuts if
that was possible.

My Rejection Letter

From: Steinbeck Institute <steinbeckinstitute@gmail.com>

Date: April 2, 2009 10:10:26 AM JST

To: ron.coia@mac.com

Subject: Steinbeck Decision

Dear Ron,

The review of applications to our summer institute, John Steinbeck: Voice of a Region, Voice for America, has been completed, and we regret to inform you that we will be unable to offer you a place in the institute.

We received 157 applications for only 25 positions. The decision-making process was challenging, as there were many more excellent applications than we could accept. Consequently, a considerable number of deserving applicants had to be passed over. We can assure you, though, that the selection committee reviewed each application with great care, and that the criteria for evaluation were fairly applied.

As you know, the National Endowment for the Humanities plans to continue to offer seminars and institutes in subsequent summers. We urge you, therefore, to apply again next summer.

My co-director, Mary Adler, and I are honored by your interest in our institute and commend you for your remarkable service to the intellectual development and growth of your students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Susan Shillinglaw

Professor of English

San Jose State University