Songkran (Thai New Year's Water Festival on Soi Cowboy, Bangkok, April 2006
Mark got ready for the Songkran festival on the Soi (street). He asked if we thought he should wear his dress jacket or not, thinking it would be funny to wear swim trunks and a dress jacket. At first the thought is to say "no, why ruin a great jacket?" and then "why not?" Life is uncertain when you have cancer and even when you don't so, why not use the jacket if you want to? It turned out to be a great idea as it protected Mark from the cold water that was being thrown and shot from water pistols and hoses on the street: activities to celebrate the Thai New Year. Mark's sister and teachers from Japan that were with her (Phillip and Will) also joined whole heartedly in the fun, with big water guns and then putting powder on peoples faces.
Mark to get his CAT scan on Tuesday - Return to this site on Wednesday to learn the results of Mark's CAT scan. We pray for good news and if good news, what else can Mark do to fight liver cancer? We are looking for that answer.
Food News In the meantime, while waiting for the CAT scan, we are watching movies and doing a lot of home cooking and a little eating out. Wednesday we shopped for big shrimp and vegetables and fruits in Klong Tuey Market. Jin prepared several Thai dishes which I am still learning to cook with her help. Thursday night we went to the Oriental hotel for a drink and dinner with Terry and her husband Jerry. Terry is the principal of the school where Stephanie teaches in Japan. Terry had arranged a table outside on the terrace and we were sitting at the edge of the Cho Phyra River watching the lighted boats going by. We were each given orchid and jasmine garlands by the hostess. The Oriental Hotel is one of the most beautiful hotels in Bangkok. It is very upscale and has a serious dress code. For example in the day time, guests may pass thru the lobby to their rooms in shorts but not stop in the lobby. Non guests are not allowed into the hotel at all in shorts unless going to a guest's room. The dress police are serious. If you want to know what I had to eat, I had a very good lobster sandwich which actually was quite reasonable in price.
Friday night before Steph's teacher friends went to the airport, we piled into two Taxis and went to a great all you can eat restaurant called The Stables, on Soi Eight. For about 10 dollars a person there is a salad bar, soup, baked potato, corn on the cob with all the trimmings, and you pick out what you want put on the grill. Choices are: New York Strip Steak, huge shrimp, muscles, clams, chicken, shish Kabobs of all kinds.
In contrast to the Oriental cuisine and The Stables fare, Stephanie cooked sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast and meatloaf and brownies for snacking. Mark said: "Steph you are a good cook." I said: Yes a great cook." Steph responded modestly: "Well, at least it is edible." We love to tease each other a bit so I responded: "Well, we wouldn't want to go that far."
Cards, postcards, and letters for Mark's birthday - Mark has cards displayed everywhere and he loves them. If you have not sent one yet, it is not too late to get one in the mail. He loves everyone he gets.
Old posts on the blog - If you have not read all the stories on the blog, go to the archives and click on the oldest one. Skip anything dull and read the ones that interest you. There is a good picture of Mark wearing the Alien Baby Hat. See if you can find it.