Honduras

December 31, 2006, 6:17 pm, Copan, Honduras

Spent the first part of the trip on Utila which is one of the Bay Islands along the Mezoamerican Barrier Reef. We accessed great snorkeling right from the beach for a mere ten bucks! Dan wasn't as impressed with Utila as he was with the island in Belize, I think because the streets were sand covered whereas Utila's streets were more traditional and filled with motor bikes. Dan also said that he missed his Central American travel partner, Karen. Oh yah, and he didn't appreciate that our hotel didn't have a TV (heh, heh), but that just meant more time in the hammock reading! Still, he made great friends with the local cat (Salva) and dog (Noodles). He also loved the 5 mile boat ride to a remote island over exceptionally choppy (and fun) waters. The food on the island was tasty and cheap. Lots of snapper, lobster, and chicken.

The day we left Utila for the mainland was interesting. You can see the airport in the first picture, it consisted of a wooden platform. No phone, no services, nothing... The picture looks dark because it WAS dark! The taxi driver dropped us off at the "airport" at 5:40 am. I said, where is the plane? He said, oh the plane had a problem last night so it stayed on the other side to be fixed and it will fly in soon. Then he got in his cab and started driving off...it was dark and there was nothing but a wooden platform to wait for the plane...and the mosquitos were active. I said, you mean you're going to leave us here in the dark with no plane and no one else? And he replied, yes, because I go pick up more passengers. Hum. 45 minutes later and he returned and the little plane flew in.

Once back at the airport in San Pedro Sula, we picked up our rental car and headed off on a 3 hr trip (180 km) to Copan and the Mayan ruins. We couldn't get over how dramatic and beautiful the mountains were. You can see the picture of the highway - a rather deserted 2 lane road. Deforestation continues to be a problem in Honduras. The ruins were fun to explore. We also visited a bird park, although my Spanish isn't so hot anymore after 23 years, and the Spanish words for bird and plane are similar. No wonder people looked at me funny when I asked for directions to the "Plane" park.

Dan and Tom loved the bird park...Dan because of the birds, Tom because the park was located inside a coffee plantation. Our hotel, Marina Copan, was wonderful...pool, excellent restaurant, beautiful hotel property full, and, the clincher for Dan, Cable TV. We taught Dan to play Euchre (Midwestern card game) on this trip. It came in handy because restaurant service is painfully slow.

We are now getting ready to bring in the new year here in Copan, Honduras. Tom is ready to relocate and start growing coffee beans. I can't remember such dramatic scenery in Central America, this place is beautiful. But it's a wild place. Dan doesn't think there are any laws here, or if there are, no one follows them.

Hangzhou, China

The conference and trip were great. Our textbook was translated into Chinese for use in Taiwan a few year ago, but it isn't available in mainland China. A Chinese woman told me that they really want our book in mainland because of all the interest in leisure, and especially tourism!

The conference was great for making connections and hearing how tourism and leisure are making great strides around the world with city bids for sport and cultural events, and looking at things like infrastructure for tourism, esp. in the developing world. Really neat.

The big gala and dinner occured the night before we left. Rather than sitting with our cozy American friends, Marta and I sat at a table with my textbook friend, a Chinese woman and all her Chinese friends. Talk about setting yourself up for an interesting evening! Each course of the meal was placed on the lazy susan in the middle of the table, and of course, they expected us to try everything first. They were especially thrilled that we could use chopsticks. Much of the food was quite tasty...other things I kind of pushed around on the plate and smiled a lot.

I asked them how they felt about the situation with North Korea, adding that the newspapers make it sound like China is going to pressure N Korea to get in line. Their response was a little different, pointing out that the situation between the two countries is quite complex and they weren't so sure China should impose so many sanctions. Hum. I smiled and changed the subject.

Throughout the week there was lots of talk about how the Beijing Olympics 2008 will open China's doors to the world. Flying into Beijing you could see the brand new airport being built. Sewer systems are being installed in the city, 150 pollution-spewing businesses have been told to leave the city center, among many other things under construction for the Olympics. One thing that will be hard to address is the air pollution. I couldn't get over it, and everyone told me this was nothing, wait until the winter and spring.

But China seems to have come a long way in a short period of time. I'm reading Wild Swans by Jung Chang. She covers the history of China by describing 3 generations of women in her family up until the 1970s. When you read that, and think about what exists now in China, it's an unbelieveable transformation. Getting to see it with my own eyes is something I'll never forget.

I'm sending 2 pictures. One is of me drinking green tea. In China, hot water is poured over fresh tea leaves into a clear glass. You then strain the leaves as you drink through your teeth, as if eating with chopsticks isn't challenging enough. The other picture is a boat on West Lake where we were staying. You can barely see the mountains in the background for the air pollution.

February 2006 - Bangkok, Thailand

February 6-11, 2006

Got to our hotel in downtown Bangkok at 2:30 am Monday morning. We are staying at the 5 star Plaza Athenee Royal Meridian Hotel. United Airlines 747 was like an old jalopy but it got us first to Tokyo and then, another 6 hours later, to Thailand. The plane reminded me of the space ships in Dan’s Star Wars videos they way it bounced around like a ping pong ball. I was sure the wings would snap off, but apparently no one else shared my worries. There was lots of food and drink, plus my seat mates were from Thailand so had nice conversations. They taught me Thai words. Don't know if I slept much, I mostly just rested and closed my eyes. Once to our 5 star hotel (fanciest I’ve been to in a long time) it felt good to stretch out in bed. Hotel is very nice, but very hot. I don't think the lobby/restaurant is air conditioned. It's still rather dark outside this morning.

Right now it is 3:45 Tues morning in IL. It is fun hob-knobbing with ISU’s president. Had dinner on top of the Banyon Tree Hotel last night - 61st floor. Today we toured grand palace. My capri pants didn’t measure up so I was politely handed a wrap around skirt. Later I had a full body massage for $7, paid for by SWU, the Thai university. The massage place was also right next to the reclining Budda, but we were so relaxed after the massage that we forgot to check it out. I did surprisingly well with the massage.

Tonight we have dinner on the river. Food is good. Had foia grais (duck liver) in a soup, but the wine was fab... I've enjoyed the spicy food, although a lot of it is served buffet style which isn’t my favorite approach but when in Thailand, do as the Romans, er, I mean Thais.

Rossman and I go swimming every day before breakfast in the beautiful outdoor pool on the roof of our hotel. Went out with the girls (the high level administrators from ISU, heh, heh) to the night market last night. Just a bunch of shops where you bargain for gifts. Don't really know what to buy anyone so I'm just getting little Buddha statues, chop sticks, refrigerator magnets to give away. I'm told that Thais don't use chop sticks, but I doubt anyone will know this back home.

Today we go to the university. We were supposed to give a presentation to the students but poor planning and they have something else to do. Hum.

Our boat cruise was funny. A big ole rickety boat that swayed and bobbed in the river. Everyone kept it together and didn't get sick. A variety of Thai stir fry was served up with mounds of rice as the boat pitched and rolled its around the Chao Phraya river.

Not feeling so well this morning. Went to a cultural show which was good, but I slept through part of it as the chairs were too relaxing. Hope you guys are well. When I don't feel well then I just want to be home with you. But it's been 12 hours now and I'm sure I'll be better as today begins.

How is Dan doing? What’s the weather like? Anybody die? What other gossip is out there?

It's not quite Feb 10 (2 hours short) but I'm going to wish Tom Terrific happy birthday! I'd tell you to take the day off but you have to take care of Dan! Oh dear. Well, Happy Birthday to you just the same! I'll give you the day off when I get home.

Today we finished our work at the university. Made a presentation, met with deans, interviewed a potential graduate student, met with faculty, reviewed curriculum, and discussed the possibility of a faculty exchange this summer between the Thai university and ISU.

The Thai people go above and beyond with hospitality. It's been an amazing experience.

Hope all is well in the US. We fly home on Sunday and get back into Chicago at 2:30 after nearly 24 hours in travel time. I wonder what it will feel like to teach on Monday and attend meetings!

We went to a floating market today near the Burma border, SW of Bangkok. People sell their veggies and fruits from long boats. Pretty cool.

Am feeling better. The problem was I drank the water from the hotel room faucet which was a no no. Ended up with bacteria and needed an antibiotic.

Went to a floating market yesterday about 80 minutes away. Really neat.
The ISU gala was a classy affair. This trip has really made me feel thrilled that I work at ISU. I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know 3 Thai women who have graduated from ISU with EdDs and now hold high admin positions at SWU.

Thai people look sooo young.

I am tired of buffet style food, Thai or otherwise. Please don't make rice for dinner on Sunday.

Most people went home today (pres and his entourage). Sandy, Bob and I return tomorrow and the last three return early next week. Our friend Panpim will take us shopping today. We had dinner at the Seafood Market Restaurant, a big brightly lit restaurant where you pick out the meat (seafood) you want and tell the cook how you want it prepared. You even go to an area of the restaurant where you pick out the wine you want. Everything is bought to your table and served lazy-susan style. Feeling better after my bout of bacteria, and being served my favorite food in the world (seafood), I was a happy camper! Plus, the wine was fab.

The trip home went well. At Tokyo, Bob and Sandy left 2 hours before me so I flew home across the pond alone. I enjoyed walking around the Tokyo airport but only bought batteries. Do you know they have little shelves that you can rent to sleep in? Reminds me of a crypt... They also had internet service which I enjoyed.

Tom met me in Chicago and it was great to be home. Thailand is a fascinating place. I would love to return and visit Chang Mai and the south coast. The Thai people were so welcoming and hospitable.