Prawn juice

Boon Ma from the ruins of Ayutthaya

Sa wat dee be mai!! (Happy New Year) By a lucky guess, I was able to figure out where the button for "New Post" was on this Thai-written screen!  Most people speak some English, but our world surely encompasses foreign sounding conversations for which we find ourselves ending every sentence with a laugh or smile.  Last night, Mase and I sat in on a Thai "horror movie" (no subtitles) with Pong and Pom, two Thai brothers we are currently residing with in Nonthburi on the outskirts of Bangkok.  Through many explanations and inclinations about the religion, we were able to figure out what each of the ghost stories was trying to teach us.  Religion is active in every part of life here.  For New Years, we accompanied the entire Bangkok population to a handful of the hundreds of temples for a "good luck" visit.  Protocol for entering includes removing your shoes and leaving them with the numerous other pairs left behind from the people currently inside.  Strong smells of incense, lit candles, and birds being set free from cages can be found everywhere. 
Our Thai cooking skills now consist of making Green Curry Chicken, Vegetable Stir-fry, and Thai omelets with pork (compliments of Chef Pong).  On our first visit to Chatuchak Market (weekend market), we couldn't help but feel for the decorated baby squirrels tied to cages by the neck for sale.  This market was miles by miles long and had EVERYTHING including puppies, mice, jewelry, fruit baskets, baseball bats, and more modern Western-influenced clothes.  We will surely be back there soon when we can set aside an entire day to explore the golden gems of nugget here!  I am looking forward to the affordable boat taxi home tonight toward Rama 7 Bridge station because of the many temple views and numerous groups of people along the banks practicing their daily yoga and selling pig ears.  Kap kuhn ka (we use this phrase at least 20 times/hour--means thank you!)