It all started last Sabbath at church. Mr. Wilson was gone to Nan, so the rest of us went to Chiang Mai church, instead of the Methang - the academy- like we usually do. While there, I met a girl by the name of Sam (Samantha). Sam is 19, just graduated from highschool, is from New Zealand, and is taking a break and touring around Asia. Over potluck at church, she shared her awesome conversion story, and we had fun getting to know each other! Sam is not only an awesome person, but she is really on fire for God!
After talking with her for a while, I found out that she had to renew her visa soon too! So we decided we'd head for Maesai, the border, together on Monday. That was really an answer to prayer, because both PiDuang and I had been praying that I would have someone to go with me on my first trip up there.
After chuch, we invited her to go with us to Doi Sutep - a really tall mountain with a really elaborate Budist temple. After checking with her hosts, she agreed to join us. There were nine of us total, and we all piled into the Holbrook's truck. John drove up the curvey road to toward the temple. (His driving is really getting a lot better!! Go John!) As we accended the mountain, the air got cooler, until it was actually on the verge of being to cool for me riding in the back of the truck!
On arriving at base of the temple, Benya, Eliyah and I fed watermellon rinds to the elephant that was near by! That was great fun!! Unfortunately, PiDuang wouldn't let me take it home to add to my managerie... shucks.
Climbed the gazillion stairs (ok... so it was only a few hundred... I counted) to the main temple area. Sam, the kids, and I took our shoes off, and walked around looking at the many budahs and shrines, and all the gold, and taking lots of pictures. You know, I'm really glad that I don't serve a god that needs huge fancy temples or big gongs or bells to get his attention! He doesn't need all the decoration. He is enough.
Left the temple and headed back down to Chaing Mai SDA church. Dropped Sam off there with plans to meet her Monday for a trip up to Burma to renew our visas.
Monday morning dawned kinda cold and rainy. I packed a bunch of books, my camera, ipod, water, and made sure I had my passport. Went over to the Wilsons and PiDuang and I headed for the bus station to meet up with Sam. On the way, got a text message from her saying she was there, and had remembered her passport! (subtle hint for Sha to not forget hers!)
Arrived at the bus station, and Sam and I hopped on the 8 am bus. It had air conditioning and really comfy seats, so was a pleasent trip. Unfortunately, they showed the movie "Dungons and Dragons" so Sam and I burried our noses in books for a while. Then I sugested we listen to some "Down Gilead Lane" that I had on my ipod. Now for those of you who don't know what that is, let me educate you. Down Gilead lane is a continuing story about a family - parents and 5 kids, and their life, and the spiritual lessons that they learn. While it is not adventist produced, I like it as well as your story hour! If you haven't heard it, you have been deprived! Anyway, after the first story, I had her hooked. So as the bus rolled through Chaing Rai and on to Maesai, we listened, and munched on rice crackers.
After 5 hours, we arived at the Maesai bus stop. Caught a taxi going to the border, and about 5km later, we got to a big, impressive archway. One of my friends, had drawn me a map, so after a little consutation, we headed to the left side. Joined the line marked "passport control" or something to that effect, and finally I got up to the counter. The Thai lady flipped open my passport, looked at my visa and said "overstayed!" I was like "what! no way!" and pointed to the place on the visa that said it expired on Nov 22. She pointed to another stamp that said Nov 12. Oops.... "Nung, Song, Sam, See..." she counted off the 9 days difference, and said I owed 1,800 baht - 200 for each day. yikes! I was in big trouble! I only had 500 baht on me! So I turned to Sam with a "what am I gonna do" look, but she was way ahead of me, and dished out the other 1,300. I thanked her profusely and said I'd pay her back as soon as we got back to Chiang Mai. Another answer to prayer!
After clearing the Thai side, we crossed the bridge and came to Burma (Mayenmar). The lady there took our passports and gave us a one day visa. Sam, being a very good travler, and not fufilling at all the "rude foreigner" stigma, asked the lady how to say "thank you" in Burmese, and instantly made a friend and ally. Sometimes I hate being shy! After traveling with my parents, I know that's the thing to do, but my shyness gets in the way sometimes. Grrrrr....
After snapping a few pictures, we headed to the big market that was, I'm sure, made especially for trapping tourists coming to renew their visas. We had a great time, brousing through stalls, trying out swords and knives, and occasionally bartering with venders. After discovering a 100 baht bill in my pocket (yay! I wasn't totally broke!) I decided I'd buy some sunglasses for riding the motercycle, Elsy. I found a pair I really liked. They were Nike, and good quality. The man named his price at 180 baht, but I talked him down to 90 finally. I love bartering!
The highlight of the market for me though, was seeing all the native crafts, including black market animal parts. It was kinda sad though, to see pieces of tiger skin, claws, and teeth, as well as lots of other animal parts for sale. I really wanted a tiger claw to add to my american indian stuff, but even though it was cheep, I knew it was illegeal, so decided I'd better not risk it. Everywhere with the animal parts, they said "no pictures!" but having nice, quiet digital cameras, Sam and I managed to get some anyway.
Our bus left at 3pm, so at 2, I sugested that we head back. Sam agreed, but got caught up trying out a sword, so we got a little side tracked. Picked up our passports on the burmese side, and headed toward thailand. Filled out a little entry form, and got our visas stamped for another 30 days. I'm not gonna overstay this one!! Jumped on the Taxi at 2:45. I started to pray. Our bus was the last one out and if we missed it... I didn't know what we'd do! It wasn't far to the bus station, but the taxi kept stopping to let people on and off. We arrived at the station at 2:56. I paid the driver, while Sam rushed off to make sure the bus hadn't left us. Thank you Lord, it hadn't.
Listened to more Down Gilead lane, and got through 15 of the 24 episodes on my ipod! Arrived back in Chiang Mai at 7:30pm, and Pi Duang picked us up at 8. Went home, and showed Sam my house, and invited her to come stay with me for a while. She said she'd love to! Paid her back, then took her to the night market, and dropped her off at her hostess's booth.
I was starved, so PiDuang bought me some mango stick rice (isn't she sweet!!) I was so glad Sam had brought some food though, or I would have been even more hungry! So got home and fell into bed.
And what about Sam? Well, she's on a three day treck to visit the hill tribes right now, but will come to stay with me on Friday, so that'll be nice to have a friend around for a while. Hmmmm Maybe I can talk her into being the first AFM missionary from New Zealand.... She's deffinately got the stuff for it!
I am so thankful to God that I met Sam! The trip to Maesai could have been not only a little more boring, but a disaster without her! God is so awesome! He knows what we need even before we ask! Keep me in your prayers, and you'll be in mine! Have a great thanksgiving! God Bless - Sha
