Cute, outside "washing" station at the orphanage.

One of several units to house the 180 kids.

Grounds between the units, neatly maintained with play equipment.

House for "two and under" children. They were just waking up from naps.... about 30 in the home.

Shelter for shade and play.

Girl pouring latex from the small container held on the tree to the pail.

Children enjoying a game in the shade of a "resting platform" next to their home.

More workers with additional "holding tanks.

Woman stacking rubber sheets that have had water "pressed" from them by the rollers. The next step is to hang the sheets and let them dry for 4-6 days.

Latex being weighed and poured into a vat, which then transfers it to holding tanks by a hose.

Strange white man inserting plates into the holding tank (1 inch apart).

Susanne holding the latex sheet after it has "set up". The next step is to press excess water out by using a rolling press.

Sadao Wed. Market and Unexpected Holidays

The weekend came early. Today, Wed., the school closed until Monday morning. The director is very afraid of the flu and we have at least 20 students out with suspected cases of it. So he played it safe.... but I wonder if it will really do any good. The primary schools stayed open, so seems like the germs could still be spread from families by younger siblings.

All teachers have to go back tomorrow and supervise their homeroom student volunteers while they clean their homerooms. Don't think that would happen in our schools (students or teachers).

We walked to the Wed-Thurs market here in Sadao. We have been to the morning market, but this was noticeably different. There were hundreds of vendors selling clothing, food, wares,...but clothing is the big draw. Much of it is second hand and in great shape. It sells for about $2-3. I don't know what the new clothes went for, but I know it is a good deal.

I posted some pictures below. It is much like maxwell Streets would be. I enjoyed it. The colors, lights, smells all made our evening stroll very enjoyable. Plus it was a cool day (by their standards.)

We will drive to an orphanage to donate food on Friday and I suspect that will be heart wrenching to see, so look for those pictures and posts. Also we have been blessed again by an invitation to a Thai wedding party on Sunday night. That should really be interesting too. I continue to marvel at what opportunities Susanne and have been given. Eight weeks with the local people sure gives a more clear picture of the country than a "tour" could. And we continue to be treated a honored guests.

Wednesday night market in Sadao. Hundreds of street vendors selling food, clothing, wares... clothing is 2nd hand and new.

This is one of the main streets through town. Note traffic on right lane still speeds past at 30-40 MPH while the left lane is slower.... including people pulling over to shop.

Young man who is cooking a wonderful dessert for us. I took a video and he is quite the "showman."

Cooking Lesson, Factory Tour and Blessings Again

Last night I learned how to make egg "soup". It isn't really soup, but a creamy smooth custard with pork at the bottom and salted with fish sauce. It is very easy to make and a typical Thai dish. The dessert was the highlight for me though, again a coconut custard baked in a squash. Unbelievable! Of course anything here with coconut milk is amazing.

Speaking of amazing, it is abundantly clear that this trip is a blessing beyond our wildest imagination. So much has happened and so many things have fallen into place to make it special. It is not just luck...no way.

Today we toured a "rubber plantation factory" and were honored above most people that have ever lived in the area. Beam is somehow a distant relative of Sadao's mayor. He happens to be the manager of a factory that produces rubber products. Last Thursday he was the guest at Sports days and we were introduced to him. He gave us a special invitation to come and tour his plants, so today we did. Now you have to understand, people in the school here, even the highest administrators have never been invited to see this plant. But we are the town's honored guests from America...and it is humbling to say the least to be treated in this manner.

We drove up and were ushered in for coffee and a video of their company. Then we began he tour, walking through the factory, seeing things that normal people never get the chance to. We were not allowed to take pictures inside, which I expected. This factory is only 20 years old and already has about a 15-20% world market share for latex and synthetic latex gloves. One plant makes those, another makes high pressure hydraulic hoses, and a third plant exports blocks of natural rubber to other countries. The entire factory sits on about 150 acres, and employs 3000 people who all work 6 days a week. It is a major boon to the area and because the products are disposable, the down economy isn't really affecting it. It is in the European and Thai stock market and I wish I could buy some because it is only going to get bigger and better.

Half way through the tour, we took a break, were offered some sterilized towels to "freshen up with", had a Coke and continued on. Every place we went, the employees, supervisors, human resource people... everyone made a special effort to treat us with the upmost respect and kindness...because we were the managers "honored guests." I can't explain how it feels to be treated that way, for no reason but being Americans in their province. This culture could teach the world about respect and honor!

Then after the tour finished, we were given a specially catered lunch in a large conference room off their company cafeteria. Chicken, pork, rice, fruit.... again everything "top shelf."

So back to school to teach the adult class, leaving Susanne and I to marvel. "What did we ever do to deserve this." and the answer of course is nothing. It is the Thai way!

Beam's niece, Beam, Management tour guide, Tuk and Ti as we toured a local factory.

More food! Our dinner of

spinach, green curry, "egg soup" and a marvelous

dessert (a smooth, coconut custard baked into a squash)....unbelievable!

All of us being given the "royal treatment" and a wonderful lunch, catered into their canteen meeting room.

My hands preparing the "egg soup" using chopsticks. Impressed yet?

"Egg soup" cooking in boiling water.