Saturday, May 18, 2013

Wedding and Wingdings On Water

Greetings Friends and Foes!

This past week's travels  didn't exactly lead me to a new or foreign land, but I did get to spend time with some very unique individuals who are more exotic than even some of the craziest places I've ever been.

My three crazy nieces and I getting ready for a little hotel pool party action
I traveled to Washington DC where I was able to spend a long weekend with some of my very favorite people in this world for my cousin Bryce's wedding. I was able to spend time with my entire immediate family, as well as two of my mom's siblings and their families, BONUS! The outside wedding took place on a Virginia Farm, and was absolutely gorgeous! It almost made me feel like putting aside my bitter ways and begin dreaming of my own big day. Almost.

Photo Courtesy of Melina Buck
 The reception was also held in the same location, with the dancing, eating, and drinking being semi contained in an awesomely decorated barn. As per usual, I shared a few songs with my favorite dancing partner!


While most of my family departed Virginia on Sunday, my flight for Dubai didn't leave until Tuesday, so I was able to spend a few extra days being a bum at my aunt and uncle's house. As much as I do enjoy my adventures, there's something ubber nice about just getting to experience a few days of normalcy. I read in their hammock that overlooks a lake, went on runs through the Virginia hills, ate burgers on the grill, and spent time talking about love, life, and the pursuit of happiness with my mom's only sister.

 During one such afternoon chat, we were both discussing....ok I was bawling...about how much we missed my mom and grandma's presence at this weekend's festivities. Just as I was continuing on with my typical woe is me tale, my aunt interrupted and told me to look behind me. Right outside the living room picture window, bluebirds and redbirds (my mom and grandma's favorite birds respectively), were chirping loudly, flying back and forth, and basically preforming dive bombs
just a few feet from where we were sitting. It felt like the Look Up Here scene from Steve Martin's movie The Three Amigos! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, do yourself a favor and youtube that shiznat!

With this weekend's double wammy of Mother's Day and a family function where my mom's blaring absence was almost tangible, it was fun to have yet another reminder from the other side that she's ALWAYS with us!

After returning to Dubai on Wednesday, I did one days worth of work, which was more than enough for me, before returning back to play. Yesterday, I spent my afternoon aboard my very own...rented yacht for my friend's birthday. It's a rough life, but someone's gotta live it!

Part of the crew in front of The Burj Al Arab
"Life's a garden. Dig it!" -Joe Dirt
 

Thursday, May 9, 2013

The Great Wall and The Mediocre Blog

Ni Hao (Mandarin Chinese word for hello, pronounced knee how) my faithful readers!

I just finished a delicious bowl of room service Wonton Noodle Soup here in my Beijing hotel room, and decided that while this communist country may be able to block my beloved social media network, AKA Facebook, they can't take away my blog! So here I am, writing this post and simultaneously sticking it to the man...whoever the man may be.

Several weeks ago, after I finished my half marathon, I emailed one of my favorite fitness bloggers and thanked her for writing daily running posts that were filled with useful information for a newbie half marathoner, like myself. I didn't even expect a response from her, I just genuinely appreciated all of her running advice and wanted to thank her. Keep in mind, I was raised by a woman who wrote notes of gratitude to her former teachers, thank you poems to the UPS man, and once, a heartfelt letter of appreciation to her very favorite sock manufacturer! Cray cray is in my blood!

So it was much to my surprise when Sarah, from www.skinnyrunner.com, not only replied back to my email, but asked me to write a guest post for her blog! This was quite an honor for me because 1- SR is a well known blog in the running community 2- Sarah basically holds celebrity status in my mind! Not only has she ran nearly 50 marathons, but I'm also fairly certain she has more solid muscle in one square inch of her calf than I do throughout my entire body!

I finally decided it stop being Polly Procrastinator, and wrote the article this week, which SR posted yesterday. You can check it out here http://skinnyrunner.com/2013/05/07/running-around-the-globe/

With the article, I also shared a link to my blog, so if you're a new reader I'd just like to say WELCOME and I'm sorry, as this blog is a complete and utter mess! It's disorganized, it lacks general direction, and I have no clue what I'm doing with it half the time. I mean the name if the blog (Schutz and Scores) doesn't even match the blog address (booingboring), who does that?! I've seriously considering revamping the whole thing about a million times, but I actually find it to be a bit symbolic, as my life is also disorganized, lacking general direction, and I have no idea what I'm doing with it, WELL OVER half the time!

I started my blog three years ago this month (buy me some presents folks, I think we've got a birthday). At the time I was just getting ready to graduate from Western Illinois University with my degree in Social Work. I thought this blog would be a cool way to communicate with the world, and by the world I do mean my mom, about my adventures in Orlando as I interned with Walt Disney World.
My Parent's Visiting Me During My 2010 Disney Internship
Throughout the last three years, one adventure has just led to another and I've continued blogging about it all. Unfortunately, the blog ended up boring my main reader to death (pun intended), but a few of you seem to enjoy my weekly rambles, and so I just keep writing!

So yes, writing about my adventures....

While last week's layover activity left my legs quivering from fear, this week's quivering was brought on by a whole other experience. I finally accomplished my lifelong dream of making out with Channing Tatum!

PSYCH!

I visited the Great Wall of China and climbed to the top of one of the peaks. For a person who considers my self to be in fairly descent physical condition, I could not believe the muscle spasm party my legs were throwing by the time I reached the top!


Sweet mother of pearl, that was a lot of stairs! In the end, the climb was definitely worth it, as the view was absolutely gorgeous!


The view, the climb, and the history were all pretty amazing, but my favorite part of the visit was the way in which we came back down: toboggans! Basically, a metal slide winds all the way through the mountain. Visitors sit on what is essentially a scooter with a brake, and fly down to the bottom of the hill. Had those steps been a little less treacherous, I definitely would have tobogganed again!

Myself and The Crew Getting Ready to Taboggan
After visiting the Great Wall, my fellow cabin crew members and I visited the Forbidden Temple. Personally, I didn't quite understand what was so forbidden about the place, as it was seriously crowded and they seemed to be letting everyone and their dog inside! None the less, it was still an interesting historical place, and provided me with the opportunity to take cliche touristy pictures.


Interesting fact that I learned after posing for this pic, bowing is uncommon in modern day China. It is typically only used when greeting royalty or the elderly. Unlike the Japanese style, Chinese Bowing is done primarily from the shoulders up. Hmmmm, and now I know.

I'd love to share more Chinese history tidbits I learned today, but unfortunately I've got a bit of a mystery on my hands that I need to tend to. This......


just showed up in my room and I have NO IDEA how it got here! Weird.

Have a great week, everyone!






Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Auckland Bridge Bungee

Greetings from the Middle East! Currently taking place outside of my apartment is the world's loudest and longest call to prayer. Everything being broadcasted from the loudspeakers on top of my local mosque is said in Arabic, so I have no idea what this man with a horrible voice is even saying, but I'd be completely ok if he stopped....any....minute...now!

This morning I arrived home after working a six day trip to Brisbane, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand. I purposely chose to do this trip, as I have a list of places I want to visit before I throw in the Emirates towel, and New Zealand was definitely one of those places.

I also have an entire wall in my bedroom covered with Post Its that has my bucket list items scribbled down on them. The words, 'Bungee Jump' has been written on one such post it for over a year now. Always a fan of killing two birds with one stone (figuratively speaking here, people), I jumped on, rather off, this opportunity! After sharing my intentions for this trip with my sister in law, Stacy, she informed me that she isn't quite sure if I'm just a dare devil or have a sick death wish. Considering I'm a fairly happy go lucky kinda gal, I'm going to go with the first one!

Prior to this trip, I was completely ok with this whole notion of bungee jumping. I was even ok once I arrived at the bungee jumping office, and was signing my life away while being surrounded with bungee jumping memorabilia.


 It wasn't until I was walking across the bridge that I remembered just how afraid of heights I really am. It's not even the height that bothers me, as I do spend a signifigant amount of time high above the ground, it's more so the falling from heights that I'm concerned with...with was precisely what I had signed up for!

Much like the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, I walked across the bridge wearing a harness and safety cables that attached me to the bridge at all times. Even as I was walking out over the water, I could feel my palms beginning to sweat, a classic Kelsey's Getting Really Nervous symptom.

Once I reached the jump pad, I was greeted by two punk tastic looking lads, who introduced themselves to me as Layton and Layton, the gentlemen who would be responsible for my safety as I hurled my body head first off the bridge. Cool.

 The entire process was actually very quick, which was great because I'm fairly certain if I had been given five more minutes to think, I would have talked myself out of this idiotic idea. Layton, not to be confused with the other Layton, quickly secured several bungee cords onto my harness, as well as weights and cords to my ankles. As casually and calmly as giving a stranger directions to the local grocery story, Layton instructed me to walk to the edge, stick my toes slightly over the edge, pause and smile for the camera, and jump!


With a 3-2-1 countdown, I sent my body flying off the bridge. I consider myself to be a bit of an extremeness, and I would hands down say this was THE SCARIEST thing I've ever done in my life! The only thing I can even slightly compare it to is dreams I've had where I've fallen off of something, but I usually jolt awake quickly. With bungee jumping, I didn't wake up, I just kept falling, until I finally reached the full length of the rope and bounced up and down a few times. Unlike skydiving, there really wasn't much a grace period to enjoy. It was just crazy falling! I'm getting all sweaty just thinking about it again!

You might have to zoom in, but it's me, I promise!
While I was bobbing over the water, I had to pull a yellow rip cord in order to release my feet. Having a past that involves putting diesel in the gas tank, laundry detergent in the dishwasher, showing up for work on days I don't actually work, etc., I think it's safe to say I don't always follow directions properly. Bearing this in mind, I said a little prayer that I was pulling the right strap, and tugged away, thankfully pulling the proper cord that released my feet and NOT my entire body!


As soon as I was pulled onto the safety of the platform, with my body quivering so badly that I could hardly stand, I declared that I would never do that again (there's even video proof of that). Now that I am three days post jump, I keep watching the video and critiquing myself and thinking of the different ways I should have jumped. I'm not going to beat myself up too badly, it was only my first jump and there's always next time.... ;)

Have a fantastic week everyone!

 

Monday, April 22, 2013

Bangkok, Scotland, and Missing My Mom

Good day friends, and welcome to another glorious day of April!

Since I last wrote I've once again visited the great country of Thailand. I'm not exactly sure how all of the legality issues work, but I'm fairly certain I will qualify for Thai citizenship on my next trip. Although Bangkok is becoming old news for me, the trip was extra special, as it was my first layover with one of my friends from Emirates. Working the seven hour flight with my favorite Scot, Paula, made the time literally and figuratively, fly by! For a large majority of the flight we sat gossiping and drinking cappuccinos from business class behind the closed curtains of one of the small galleys. Short of developing a secret password, we basically had our very own clubhouse at 37,000 feet.

I'm certainly not complaining about frequent trips to Bangkok, as I've had a blast every single time, and this last visit was no exception. During our short 24 hour stay we napped by the pool, enjoyed an hour long Thai massage for $10 USD, ate delicious food, and had drinks at the world's tallest open air bar, Sky Bar. Not only is Sky Bar famous for it's world record, but more importantly, it was featured in the movie The Hangover Part 2.


This past week, I was forced to go back to work flying solo. Although I missed my partner in crime, I was quickly cheered up by the next best thing; her entire family! Yes, that's right, I made my first visit to the land of bagpipes, plaid, and hunky men in kilts, also know as Glasgow, Scotland.

The flight to Glasgow was one of the best flights I've ever worked. The passengers drank us out of nearly every drop of alcohol on board, but they were SOOO polite and kind, an extreme rarity on most of my flights, that I actually didn't mind running up and down the isles delivering drinks for seven hours straight.

Knowing it was my first time visiting Scotland, Paula arranged for the Wilson family, whom I'd never met, to take me out for the evening. After a quick hotel room snooze, Paula's parents, Jill and Chris, picked me up and we went to a local pub, The Den where we met Paula's Nana June, brother Martin and his girfriend Nicole, neice Ellie, and Uncle David. I had heard so much about her family throughout the past year and a half, that I felt like I had known them for years. After having a couple of drinks and visiting at the pub, we headed to a  nearby Tapas restaurant.

Always one to at least try the local cuisine, Mr. Wilson ordered me a small plate of fried haggis, but refused to tell me what it was until after I took my first bite. Two bites later he informed me that haggis, a Scottish delicacy, is a mixture of onions, spices, and sheep's heart, liver, and lungs.


I don't think I would ever order it again, but it actually wasn't that bad! The rest of the meal consisted of delicious fish and chips, grilled prawns, stuffed mushrooms, several glasses of wine, and lots and lots of laughs. I loved her 80 something year old, high heal wearing Nana, who kept using the phrase, "When I get old...." and through her thick Liverpool accent would pause mid conversation and ask, "Love, can you understand me when I speak?"

Ellie's very mature for her age personality, combined with her love of dance, iPad's, and all things Disney Channel couldn't help but to remind me one of my favorite munchkins, Bridget. Her brother, like my own Brock, was the family joker and kept everyone in stitches the whole night. After he had consumed a few drinks, I loved Mr. Wilson's telling of how at age 17, the same age my dad was when he began dating my mom, he had drawn up the gumption to ask Jill out for a date. Paula's mom is absolutely beautiful! She sat next to her young granddaughter to assist her with choosing a meal, she continually checked that we all had enough to eat and drink, and she asked me thoughtful questions and genuinely listened and cared about the answer. Jill's own mom bragged about what a great daughter she is, and that she wouldn't know what to do if it weren't for Jill's amazing help. Paula's mom also served as the responsible driver after our night of dinner and drinks. I giggled from the back seat as she corrected her husband each time he'd casually let a swear word slip. Always the caretaker, the backbone of the family, the matriarch....


Spending the evening with the Wilson's just made my heart so happy, and at the exact same time, it also left me with just a little ping of sadness. Being surrounded by such a loving family felt so normal, and made me feel so thankful that I not only have great people, like the Wilson Family, in my life, but that I also have my very own wonderful family! And being with them reminded me of the vital role mother's play in these large, amazing families. Being with them reminded me of family times spent with my own mom.

Just a few short years ago, she was the one driving my dad, Eric, and myself home after a night of celebrating at Brock's wedding reception.  Always responsible, but slightly sassy, I remember her storming into the house yelling, "Oh just leave him there," as Eric attempted to assist the sleeping and newly nicknamed High Kicks Kenny out of the van and into the house. She was more than just a grandma to Lana and Bridget, she was their Ma. She was wrapped around her granddaughters fingers, and absolutely beamed in their presence.

A Typical Look On Ma's Face When She Was Surrounded By Her Granddaughters
She was the caretaker, head chef, family mediator, counselor, solicited and unsolicited advice giver, our seamstress, events manager, nurse, moral compass, and maker of everything better! She was the one who made us eat with both feet on the floor and our elbows off the table. She was....she was just our mom.

I feel so blessed to have so many moms in my life from Scotland, Ireland, Austrailia, England, Virginia, Monmouth, White Hall, and beyond, and am thankful for all the mother love they extend to me. I'm thankful to have spent 24 years with someone who loved her family unconditionally, served others whole heatedly  and lived life vigorously! And surprisingly enough, I'm thankful that our family has a huge hole in it, because I think it just means that once upon a time, we had somebody in our life who was important enough to leave it.

We just miss you, mom!

"Your family is not your enemy. They are human and make mistakes, as you will in your life. Give them a break once in a while, better yet, give them a hand, offer your thanks, and throw in a hug once in a while! Your Mom, or Grandmother and others that care for you won’t always be around, and you’ll MISS them!!! Tell special people in your life they are loved and appreciated, and be a good kid. That is the best way of honoring those that care for you." -Gail. M. Schutz, in a letter she wrote to one of her young Girl Scout Troops several years ago =)


















Monday, April 1, 2013

I'm Engaged!!!

April Fools!

Hello and Welcome to the best day of the year! I started out my morning by sending my dad this photo, courtesy of Google Image....



accompanied by a sob story about how I had cut my leg open on the side of a metal cart during last night's flight. This is completely warranted, as several years I was fooled after he informed me he was experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. Obviously his April Fool's joke was prior to the events of February 29th, 2012. We tend to not joke about the whole heart attack situation anymore, cut legs, however, are completely fair game. Some would go as far as saying my family has a bit of a sick sense of humor. I wouldn't, but some may.

Besides my usual practical joking antics, I've been busy recovering from a week of pure mayhem. Last week three of my cabin crew friends and I went on an eight day backpacking adventure in Thailand. Besides having a few hostels booked, we had very little plans for the trip, including a concrete way to travel from Dubai to Thailand.

Playing the game of chance known as standby, our trip started out with only two seats being available on a non stop flight from Dubai to Thailand, so my friend Paula and I decided that we would stay behind and find another flight, and let the two other girls go on the first flight. After 24 hours, a pit stop in Malaysia, and several glasses of wine, Paula and I finally rolled up to our hostel in Bangkok and met Dom and Sarah. This was my first time staying in a hostel, and I was pleasantly surprised with how great of an experience it was. I mean, how can you not love a place that has a life size elephant's butt as it's front door decoration?


We spent two days in Bangkok, and had an amazing time! We got massages, ate delicious Pad Thai and fresh fruit, drank large quantities of liquid out of sand buckets (completely hygienic), and I even treated myself to a little fried scorpion. I think the liquid in the sand buckets may have influenced my decision to partake in the scorpion eating.

It tasted like burnt popcorn....
 
After Bangkok we decided to start making our way down to Koh Phangan, Thailand in order to make it for infamous Full Moon Party. After much discussion, we ended up taking a short flight to Surat Thani, and from there, a seven hour boat ride to Koh Phangan.
 
 

 
Now, I know what you're thinking, because it's probably what I WAS thinking, "Oh, a night boat, how lovely."

WRONG! Remember the pictures in our third grade history textbooks about the horrible conditions aboard the slave ships in the 1800's? We were actually on that exact ship! The first level of the boat was completely filled with cargo (fruits, vegetables, sugar, etc.), and the top was lined with wall to wall dirty mattress pads, where strangers were smashed together like canned sardines. I was very lucky and ended up sleeping next to a nice and respectful German guy. My friend Dom took one for the team and kept one eye open the entire night as she slept next to a gentleman who was proudly wearing a shirt with the words Me So Horny printed on the front.


After our l-o-n-g journey we finally reached our intended island. We spent our first afternoon jet skiing, soaking up the sun, and doing some much needed napping. That evening we attended the full moon party, an event that happens monthly on the island. Basically, everyone dresses up in ridiculous, fluorescent clothes, paints their bodies with colors as equally as bright as their clothes, and has a ridiculous time on the beach. If this sounds slightly similar to a college frat party, then you would be correct!


After our wild night, we spent our final day on the island relaxing! We took a ferry boat to a nearby secluded island that was absolutely gorgeous. I wonder if anyone would notice if I just moved there?

 I accidentally washed my bikini with a yellow highlighter

All four of  had a blast, but after six days we were out of energy and money, so it was time for the trip to come to a close. We had all vowed to never, ever, under any circumstances, enter a night boat again, so we journeyed back to Bangkok via a seven hour day boat ride, and a seven hour bus ride. We finally reached Bangkok, all with a lovely Pad Thai, alcohol, and body odor aroma, and were elated to find out all four us would be able to make it on a non stop flight from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi. Once we landed in Abu Dhabi, we endured an hour long bus ride back to Dubai, which was a piece of cake compared to some of the other modes of transportation we had endured.
 
It was an awesome trip, but I have never been so happy to see my own bed in all of my life!
 
Hope you all had a happy Easter! I spent the day working a flight to Doha, and once I returned to Dubai, enjoyed a Lebanese dinner with friends. If that doesn't scream traditional Easter, then I don't know what does!
 
Peace and Blessings!
 

Friday, March 22, 2013

Lisbon, Portugal

In case you are not aware, today is opposites day. So since I am tall and bitter, I'm going to make this post short and sweet.

This week I traveled to Lisbon, Portugal for the very first time. Right away I knew that if the gentlemen sitting in 17D was any representation of the city, then I was going to love Lisbon! I chatted with this beautiful specimen throughout the 8 hour flight, and we discovered that we both lived in Boca Raton, Florida at some point in our lives. To my delight, he left his contact information and a little note for me with another stewardess as he left the aircraft.

 
 
Now, in order to keep the size of my head in check, I must also add that despite my 12 emails and 25 missed calls, I never heard back from him. It's yet to be determined if there was a mass communication outage, that miraculously left my hotel unscathed, or if he was avoiding me like a telemarketer calling at dinner time. Either way, it looks like we're not getting married now.
 
I'm getting ready to leave for a week long vacation tonight, so I was fairly low key in Portugal, but I still enjoyed my time there. I just did the usual; slept, ate, ran, and explored! Something about Europe just makes my heart happy!
 
Rossio Square


BTW, I've actually been googling, 'How to pose for solo pictures.' I'm not even joking. I'm just so awkward in 80% of my pictures. For example, let's take a look at this fine picture above. Why is my hand on my hip? I mean really? I'm thinking the best thing would be to just have one standard, I'm flying solo, pose that I strike in every city. Bikram Yoga has 26 different ones, perhaps I could just steal one of those. Open to suggestions on this one, people! :)
 
Word to your mother!
 
 
 

Friday, March 15, 2013

The Hangover Part II...Minus Bradley Cooper

Sa-wat-dee Kah! For those of you who need to brush up on your Thai skills, that means hello! This week's adventure led me to my very first visit to the beautiful city of Bangkok, Thailand. This layover was quite special, as it was one that came with my very own tour guide!

During the 2007-2008 school year my sister hosted Mew, a then 16 year old girl from Thailand, through Rotary International's Youth Exchange. Although she primarily lived with my sister, she quickly integrated into the entire Schutz clan, spending weekends, holidays, and vacations with us. It was a pleasure to host Mew, and get to know her and her culture.



Christmas 2007

Although it's been nearly five year since Mew's original exchange program took place, our family has remained in close contact with her. Although I was always away climbing Mt. Rainer, selling tickets to see the Mouse, or flying to ten buck two, Mew, as well as several of her sisters, have been back to visit the farm. So when I found out that I'd be gracing Bangkok with my presence this month, I was beyond excited to reunite with my long lost little sister, Asian style!
 
The flight to Bangkok was nearly empty, (and that, my friends, is what I consider a beautiful day of work), so I was fully energized and ready to hit the town as soon as we arrived. Mew and her friend Buk (pronounced Book, and possibly spelled that way, as well), met me at my hotel and we headed to the China Town area for some amazing street food. Although I have eaten Thai food before, it didn't hold a candle to the real deal! We ate pad thai, muscles, several octopus dishes, jumbo shrimp, and a crab dip. FYI, I've decided the crab dip shall be included in the menu if ever I'm crucified and granted a last supper! It was that good!
 
 
 
After our feast we rode in a Tuk Tuk, a scooter isk, open aired taxi, to the night market and pub area of the city. Within a half mile stretch, I was offered everything from a bite of a fried scorpion to cheap copy sunglasses to offers on drink specials in one of the clubs. This place was crawling with interesting characters, mainly backpackers from the UK and Australia. By this point I was starting to feel the ol jet leg kick in, so we skipped the partying scene, but I was highly entertained by merely observing!
 
 
The next morning Mew and I woke up at the crack of nine, and began adventures in Bangkok, Day Two. Bangkok is home to tons of rivers, so we used boats as our main form of transportation for the day. We grabbed lunch at another outdoor market area and enjoyed a large dish of mixed seafood pad thai.
 
 
Although eating street food in any city makes me nervous, Mew informed me that she eats food served from locations like this on a daily basis, and chooses which on to dine at depending upon how clean it looks. I trusted Mew's advice that the food was safe, none the less, I said a little prayer of gratitude after 24 hours passed with no signs of explosive diaria from my end, my rear end to be exact.
 
After lunch we walked to the Golden Temple, a famous Buddist Temple, where we met Yok, one of Mew's sisters. With sweat dripping down our faces from the extreme heat and humidity, the three of us toured the ornate and beautiful temple, but first Mew and I had to rent appropriate, modest clothing to enter the holy grounds. I would not be surprised if Mew's pink button up shirt and my floor length wrap skirt lands us a spot on the cover of next month's Vogue. Eyes peeled for that one!
 
 
 
This was actually my first time inside of a Buddhist Temple, which is surprising considering how much time practicing Buddhists Orlando Bloom, Tina Turner, Richard Gere and I all spend hanging out! Several of the building on grounds were for V.I.M. (very important monks) only, but one temple was open for the public and it was actually quite peaceful to enter into the holy area and be still for a few moments. Before we entered into the building we had to remove our shoes, and cleanse ourselves by dipping a flower stem into blessed water and dropping it onto our heads. Like most things in life, I took this practice VERY serisouly!
 
 
 
After our temple visit, we visited another market area where we sampled more local food. Note to self: must keep running! We tried coconut ice cream, Thai sushi, Roti (a Thai pastry topped with sugar and condensed milk), and khao laam (sweet rice cooked inside of a bamboo stick). Aloi mak (very delicious)!

Mew with khao laam 

After an eventful 24 hours, Mew and I parted ways, but what a fun 24 hours they were! Til next time, Bangkok!