Just a little filler!

Some interesting Thailand Notes:
*Thai's like to use toothpicks at every meal...it's like an 'end of the meal prize'! fortunately, they usually cover their mouths when they do it.
*It is very common for 1 to 5 people - depending on size (if you can believe it) to fit onto a motorbike for efficiency reasons!? it is a pretty scary sight - especially when their are babies involved and obviously not strapped in anywhere....
*Thai's are very health conscious about getting sick - especially during "winter months" (80 degrees!) they frequently use the eucalyptus nose inhalant to 'prevent sicknesses'. it smells really bad (it's in sachets in taxi's alot, too) and they become addicted to it!? they snort it all day long, and then they sniffle when they don't have it - like a cocaine addiction side effect! :(
*There is rarely soap available in public bathrooms (especially squatty-potty stalls) - ususally not even trash cans, toliet paper, and sometimes sinks for that matter (i have become addicted to anti-bacterial gel and carrying tissue everywhere!)
*The cost of gas is around 25 Baht a liter (50 US cents)
*There seems to be some kind of belief that water bottles need to be placed around the perimeter of your house...some say it's to reflect light and keep mosquitoes away...others say it's to keep 'evil spirits' away...discuss amongst yourselves!
*The mall is ALWAYS filled with microphones - whether it's for a local dance competetion, selling a new product, or just to get people to come into their store - they LOVE to be "live"! :)
*The Thai people desperately want to appear whiter and use 'whitening' gels, powders, soaps, etc to acheive this...it's sad - us americans want to be dark!
*I'm sure this is everywhere - but i have appreciated it here - I can see the moon and the sunrise on opposite sides of the sky when i walk in the morning! Sweet!
*They serve Strawberry flavored popcorn in the movie theatre...that you can also MIX with salty and/or cheesy (all three together - which sally loves!) with a large drink for 70 Baht ($2 US) EVERYONE must also stand up before the movie to pay respect to the King, in a very surreal photo montage and song...oddly moving and yet totally annonying (they make him look like God). *also, at 6pm every day, a song for him plays and EVERYONE must stop what they are doing (mostly in public places) until the song stops!? It does seem to unite the country on a very real level....
*And I have to say, they do have the scariest mannequins i've ever seen!

well, except this one below!! hahaha :)


ENJOY - i'll be back soon to write more updates on my past weeks!! :)