Our Happiness is Complete

Greetings, Dearest Legions of Fans:

Fear not for our welfare, for whatever the name of this strange and exotic land, we call it home. The people smile and bow to us, and treat us like royalty (which we are).

We finally understand the great need for secrecy thus far. We surmise there has been some kind of conspiracy against us in our country of origin for these many years, and now our fearless and most excellent manager, Stephanie, has spirited us away (albeit belatedly) to safety. Our only regret is the sad state of our wardrobe, but no doubt we will be outfitted in the finest silks and jewels and installed in the royal palace any day now.

Until then, we live in the lap of luxury. Here are some photos:



We greet our new legions of fans from our very own bus.









We are welcomed with a garland of orchids and a glass of lemongrass soda at our hotel.











The view from our room.









More of our luxurious accommodations.






We lounge by the koi pond.











They have opened a shop in our honor.









We wait by the phone for the call that will summon us to the royal palace.







With Much Poodle Love,

Peteena

Tongue Thai-ed

Have had an extremelyl busy couple of days and no time to post until tonight. KL to Bangkok to Chiang Mai yesterday, fair and school visits in Chiang Mai, left hotel at 5:30 am today and flew back to Bangkok. Had school visits at the opposite ends of the city and murderous traffic to get from one to the other, finally checked into the Four Seasons Bangkok about 3pm (more on that later).

Had a very curious experience when I finally got to peteenablog. All of the menus and tabs, all the text that is not actually the blog (including the sign in) are in Thai! This is the only website so far that I've been to that I've seen any Thai on the screen. Here's what is says at the top of the page:

peteena66@yahoo.com | แผงควบคุม | ความช่วยเหลือ | ออกจากระบบ

So far have been able to figure out how to navigate without too much trouble.

Anyway, here are some shots from Chiang Mai, which seems to be one endless open-air market:








I'm not the only one who likes to shoot out the window. By now, my colleagues are mostly aware of my ongoing photographic project, "White Woman Travels The World, Fails to Get Out of the Vehicle" (this project had to be re-titled for this trip, for many years it has been called "White Woman Goes on Vacation, Fails to Get Out of the Car").




On the campus of The Prem Tinsulanonda School. Very beautiful and tranquil. Lots of great kids who were interested in the school and in studying the arts in the US. The next picture is one of our students hostesses.
















This is directly across the street from our hotel. Went out with another counselor to a Thai restaurant around the corner (had to cross two streets, taking out lives in our hands) and had a great meal. Strolled through the market stalls on our way back, but have already shopped too much and have no more room in my luggage. Will have to wait until the end when I can jettison the college materials and fill up my third bag with stuff.



Self Portrait in the Chiang Mai Royal Princess Hotel. An older hotel than the others we've stayed in, and a little frayed at the edges, but I rather liked it more for that.

Peteena would have liked to post tonight, but she has been overwhelmed by her welcome here and had to lie down for a little while (I think the parade was a bit too much for her). Stay tuned!

The Morty Playlist

Here's the latest video from home; sorry it's kind of underlit. If I've set things up correctly, as I add more to the playlist on YewChoob, they'll show up here in this post:

A Message From Peteena

Peteena has asked me to express her deepest appreciation to the Legions of Fans who eagerly follow her every move. She is currently grounded, however, (including loss of internet privileges) after making an unauthorized raid on the mini-bar. Her selfish behavior has put me well over my per-diem, and consequently the two of us will be begging in the streets later today in the hopes of coming up with some cash for a meager evening repast. Will probably have to purchase contaminated food from a street vendor, resulting in severe food poisoning. Fortunately, my doctor gave me antibiotics for the trip, let's hope they're strong enough. Don't want to miss our flight to Chiang Mai, Thailand, in the morning.

Here's a little something to tide you over. Unfortunately the camera in the Treo 700p is ill-equipped to deal with a backlighting situation, but rest assured that Peteena has been enjoying the spectacular view from our hotel room.

I are not a science student

(speaking of indie)



...I am, however, in seminary, and I have sermons to write... KTHXBYE.

We Are Science Students

Flew from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur this morning, went directly from the airport to two school visits. Very nice people, but not much interest in the arts among the students. One asked me what kind of school mine was, and when I told him he just stared at me and then said, "We are science students."

Malaysia is incredibly beautiful and lush. Very crazy and chaotic compared to Singapore. All the buildings appear to be either brand new or in an advanced state of decay and ready to cede the battle back to the jungle. Felt well and brave enough to head out for dinner with a group of about a dozen counselors and had some fine, fine Indian food. Following is a sampling of the pictures I took today.

The Inti School (no idea what the name means):












The snack they prepared for each of us at our tables (cheese sandwich on white bread with the crusts trimmed, a big hunk of pound cake, and drinking water that comes sealed in a cup with a straw that you poke into it like a juice box):












The view across my table (no students, bored):












On the road to the hotel (or, the visual equivalent of the Dopler effect):











Self Portrait at the "In Room Shopping" Nook:











Judging from comments in previous posts, it appears that Peteena is paying someone off to pose as her "Legions of Fans" and pester me to let her post. When she stops whining and peeing all over the hotel room I will consider it.

Peteena sees the sight(see-ers)

Last day in Singapore. Finally got to see some of the city in the daytime, even if it was from the window of a tour bus. Peteena went along and is in a better mood as well. She fit nicely on the window ledge of our bus.

This tour bus pulled up opposite ours. One person inside actually did a nice doubletake at Peteena, which, unfortunately I did not manage to capture it with my cell phone camera -- not exactly the right tool to deal with shooting through two windows. I could have used a better camera today, though for the most part I'm having a good time with the Treo. It's got its limitations, but it's own aesthetic as well.

Fun and informative visits to National Junior College and Singapore American School. SAS had amazing art classrooms and facilities (more and better than any I've seen in the US), and one of their teachers was kind enough to invite me for a tour and to observe a class, so I split off from the group and took a cab back to the hotel. Must pack and get some rest, we have to be on the bus and off to the airport by 6am tomorrow. Will post from Kuala Lumpur when our schedule allows.