I didn't get Delhi belly on my trip to India! Well-trained by my Pakistani coaches, I avoided all fresh vegetables and fruits (those that cannot be peeled), water, and dairy (no ice cream, cold milk, yogurt) and avoided the dreaded stomach illness. I spent a quick three days in New Delhi attending a conference on secondary education in Asia. I really could have been in any hotel in the world because I was barely outside of the hotel meeting room. Although we did spend the first day visiting two schools - one was in a slum that served neighborhood childred, the other was one of the top private schools (something like 20 - 30% of the graduates go to Ivy League universities). The school in the slum was amazing - it had so much heart. Without this school (it is private and funded by donations including funds from the Ford Foundation), the kids would be on the streets and probably never attend school. The 10-minute walk from the bus to the school was quite something - muddy alleys with families living in shacks - kids covered in filth, flies buzzing all around. The air filled with a rotten smell. But it was important to see and the kids ran up to us with big smiles and warm hellos.
I also managed to squeeze in an hour of shopping before I left for the airport!
I was back for a week and then we went to Bangkok. I had another conference to attend over the weekend and M came along. He had much more time to explore the city than I, but had a morning and evenings free. What a great city! Full of energy, something to see around every bend, blazing hot! Made Singapore feel almost cool (almost).
We toured the Grand Palace and the temple on its grounds. Made of real gold and billions of pieces of colored glass. Went to What Pho to see the reclining buddha. Visited the Jim Thompson House (http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/) - former home to the American CIA agent (actually 
part of the organization that predated the CIA) turned silk merchant (probably abided by the don't ask don't tell policy!). If you go there, eat lunch in the cafe. Great food in a nice setting.
Dinner of course was a highlight. We ate Phad Thai every chance we got. Also loved the pomelo salad and papaya and mango salads. Yummmmmeeee!!! Oh and the mango and sticky rice for dessert. And coconut ice cream. And amazing fresh pineapple! And delicious juices - tangerine with cucumber and mint, guava.... One night we went to Cabbages & Condoms (a recommendation from Mom and Dad). It is the restaurant whose proceeds go to helping educate Thais about safe sex (and now other causes as well). In fact, the Gates Foundation has given them a $1mil grant. The ambience is interesting - condom-covered santa claus, bouquets of condoms hanging all around. Food was ok, but it is worth a visit. http://www.pda.or.th/restaurant/about.asp
One evening we wandered through the famous area of Patpong, Bangkok's redlight district. The most interesting part was the menus that men would approach us with. A list of performances involving naked women and ping pong balls, cigarettes, to name a few. I wanted to take a picture of the menu for the blog, but the men told me I had to go in to watch a show if I wanted to do that. Hence, no photo for you to view!
Love and hugs,
Love and hugs,
L & M
