Hualien

Taiwan

November 1, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

The first test of my dormant driving skills begins in Taipei. Did I say "skills?" I am so intimidated by the city traffic that I insist the car rental agency chauffeur me to the edge of town, and deposit me at the entrance to the Expressway, National Highway 1. Alone now, I ease on to the truck-filled route. I hug the right lane and chug north towards the port city of Keelung.

Shuishe, Taiwan

November 2, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

Imagine driving alone through the mountains over an endless, tortuous road with multiple hair-pin turns. Imagine one narrow lane in each direction. A yellow line bisects the road and a white line guards each shoulder.

The road curves up, only up. There is almost no other traffic. Now, imagine that you are blind. Blind. And alone.

From Taroko Gorge to Mount Huhuan, I steer up and up and up on the side of the mountain through a translucent, nearly opaque oatmeal fog, a green pea soup so thick I can barely see beyond my nose.

Taipei, Taiwan

November 6, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

Shuishe Village hugs the shore of Sun Moon Lake, the largest body of fresh water in Taiwan. The brochure reads, "A magical crystal lake . . . dialogue between sun and moon, link between mountains and water." My stroll along the waterfront, the boat excursion and the short climb to hillside temple all confirm that this is "one of Taiwan's most spectacular natural landscapes." * The indigenous Thao tribe sells food and handicrafts at the tourist-filled market.

Chida Chavienghong Nong Saeng

Saraburi Province, Thailand

November 17, 2007

Dear Pi Da,

(cc: Family and Friends)

It was a wonderful surprise to see you again. We have been friends in Miami for almost six years and finally, we met in Thailand.

Thank you for inviting me to the Buot Nak for your son Rachawat. Thank you also for giving me some of the basic information regarding the ceremony.

Sinnanya Singlor

Nang Rong

Buriram Province

Thailand

November 25 2007

Dear Puky,

(cc: Family and Friends)

Thank you for making the beautiful kratongs for me and for Buloy, my friend from the Nang Rong Resort Hotel. We went to the full moon festival last night, and along with many other Thai people, we first lit the candles and then floated the kratongs on the lake.

Several local organizations decorated very large kratongs with dragons and elephants.  There were floats dedicated to the King. It's amazing that the floats are made almost entirely of fresh flowers. Everyone enjoyed the colorful kratongs and the fireworks, especially the young children and the teenagers

Bangkok

Thailand
8 December 2007

Hello,

Happy Chanukah.