Thailand, Day 11 afternoon

It's Jan 1st. AEW is dropping me off in Khon Kean and I'm flying back to Bangkok alone. The long car ride north was difficult for me due to my surgeries, so she wants me to fly back. We thought we had someone to drive her car back to Bangkok and we were both going to fly home. Those plans fell through so she is driving and I'm flying. We stopped at a place called Coffee and Tree about halfway to the airport.

Thailand, Day 11 morning

 It's Jan 1st. We are leaving the hotel and saying good bye to AEW's family. 

 There was a very peaceful fountain near the elevator at the hotel.

Thailand, Day 10 new years

We brought in the new year with brother Aaa, Kaky, and her family. There were so many fireworks. It was like everyone in the area each had a supply of professional fireworks and they could be seen in every direction. Then at midnight the Buddhist monks were chanting in the distance and it was amazing. Afterwards they sang karaoke and we ate Vietnamese noodle soup.

Thailand, Day 10 evening

We are in the town AEW grew up visiting her high school classmates.

Thailand, Day 10 afternoon

We are at the Elephant Study Center in Krapho, Tha Tum District, Surin 32120, Thailand.

Thailand, Day 10 morning

It's Dec 31st. We stayed at the The Green Park Grand Yasothon hotel last night and will  probably stay there tonight as well. 

My stomach, well entire digestive system has not been doing well for the last couple days and was terrible last night. I assume it was something I ate or drank over the last several days. It's hard to say for sure what caused it because I've been eating and drinking everything offered to me during my stay. Well except for the grilled rat, not because I was scared, but because AEW said "NO RAT FOR YOU!" 

Thailand, Day 9 evening

 It's Dec 30th. We are having dinner with AAA, Kaky and their family in Mueang Yasothon.

They grilled catfish, spicy papaya salad, and more.

 

 I keep having digestive issues in Thailand because of my surgeries and because I've been eating everything. I got in trouble for eating all the spicy foods because AEW thinks it is the hot food causing me problems. But it is probably the fried foods, nuts, and new fruits and veggies. Anyway they ordered me a ribeye and mashed potatoes.

Thailand, Day 9 afternoon

It's Dec 30th. We are in route to Roi Et now to visit more of AEW's family. It is my turn to drive, so everyone should be scared for us. AEW is going to rest and trusts me to drive on the wrong side of the road nad on the wrong side inside the car. It is so hard to adjust to. You know wrong side, because in the USA we sit and drive on the right side.

Thailand, Day 9 lunch

It's Dec 30th. We are eating in Khon Kean at the Khanboon Klinfang Cafe to get a late  breakfast or early lunch before driving to Roi Et.

I ordered chicken fried rice and 2 eggs. AEW ordered pork with rice soup and cooked pork with sticky rice.

 

Thailand, Day 9 morning

It's Dec 30th. We are in Khon Kean looking for Annie. We stopped several times to ask for directions. Everyone we asked knew who her father was, apparently he is an important local government official, and they told us to keep going, that we were going in the correct direction. It took us a little while and serval stops and we eventually found her. Line was not working as her old line account was connected to the old, broken phone. We spent some time getting Annie's new line account setup with an id and now Annie and Jim are reconnected and can talk to each other once again. We are all so very happy that it was a technology issue and that it's not because something bad happened to one of them.

Annie, her children, and her family were very nice and hospitable while we visited. We couldn't stay long because we have to get to Roi Et for dinner and don't want to be late again. 

Thailand, Day 8 evening

It's Day 8. Since we missed our non refundable flight by mer minutes because there was no place to park, we started our 6+ hour drive to Khon Kean. Due to the holidays and holiday traffic, it actually took over 14 hours to arrive.

 We booked a deluxe suite, which was all that they had left at the Glacier Hotel in Khon Kean. Again because of the holiday season.