The "Squatty-Potty"

Hello friends and family!
It's about 7:45 here and it's FREEZING! I know, I know, I shouldn't complain about the weather, but it is technically winter here, and the nights get pretty cold. The days are sunny and warm though, so that is nice.
Yesterday Rachel and I headed out to the Day Market with the group from Virginia. Apparently we would have had to take 3 taxis just to get to town (we are more in the country) so that would have been quite the feat seeing as we don't even know where to tell the drivers to take us! We stopped at a little Western/Thai restaurant for lunch . . . it took about an hour and a half for every one's food to arrive--hey, that's Asia for you! I had a full breakfast meal for about 4 bucks--I didn't even eat most of it because it tasted funny, but the croissant was totally worth it. Also, the pineapple, banana, and watermelon were so delicious!
After eating, we headed to the Day Market---miles and miles of vendors selling everything! It's more for the locals, so there were more practical things at this market--kitchen stuff, shoes (oh the shoes! If only I had smaller feet! They all look at me and sneer, "You feet too big!" Hey! I only wear a 9!:) tons of cheap clothes, and lots of food. OH THE SMELLS! I saw about every kind of dead animal possible; we walked very quickly through that part! :)
Well, then, unfortunately, I really had to use the restroom (I had Sprite, orange juice, and tea with my large breakfast!) but of course, it's not a "Western" style toilet, it's a "squatty-potty" as we call it. GROSS. It's all about balance and not getting your pant legs or shoes wet. The floor is disgusting--yuck!!!!!!!!! But I survived. It even cost 2 baht--I can't believe they CHARGE you to use a hole in the ground, but hey, it's Asia!
Anyway, we headed back to the orphanage, played with the kids, and then joined them for their worship time. SO cute! There is one little boy, Booey (spelling? who knows!) who everyone calls Doc. He is good with helping those who are sick (everyone has a cold or a cough from the cold) and he is so adorable. Last night, after we helped them make a beaded bracelet, he came and sat on the porch with me. Oh I want to take him home! I almost started crying last night just thinking of leaving these kids here. I wish they could be adopted out into families, but the government here is really strict with adoption laws, etc. The kids do have sponsors from different churches, so that helps. It's going to be so hard to leave!
Today we are headed to the Chiang Mai Zoo! It should be really cool. Tonight I want to head back to the Night Market! This is my last night in Chiang Mai; I'm headed to Cambodia on Thursday (earlier than expected!) but I probably will come back to Chiang Mai with the other team members later.
Ok, that's all folks! I've got to get ready for another long day:)
I wish all of you could be here and experience this!!!! I'm glad I have access to a computer at the guest house so that I can at least update and share this with you.

Susannah
"Be in love with your life." Jack Kerouac
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)