Tak: day 1 (dinner) and day 2

Reunited.  

Dad and his old friend Pirrom.  [Pirrom and his wife Muchilin were Mom and Dad's next door neighbors and dear friends.  His wife died 9 years ago.]

When Pirrom texted his daughter (who now lives in Bangkok with her two children) and told her that his old friend Paul had returned to Thailand the daughter responded and said "He's a legend.  The man who taught you how to make French Toast!"  Pirrom still remembers how to say "pancake" in English.  Which is especially impressive when you realize entire English vocabulary consists of about 20 words!  

We ate dinner at the fancy restaurant in town.  Also joining us was one of Mom's old students!  She heard Mom had been on campus that morning and knew it must have been her old Peace Corps teacher - and it was!  She even found herself in a class photo with Mom!  

After a late dinner (deliciousness), a solid night of sleep and a slow-starting Friday morning we headed out on bikes for Dad's campus.  Now town is not large, but the bikes are definitely the best way to get around.  We covered every square inch of this town (or at least it felt like it!).  We LOVED these bikes (free from our hotel, no locks necessary, it's just that kind of town). 

Right after we arrived on campus the phone rang.  Mom's old best friend!  [We had already been making phone calls before we left the hotel, trying to track her down.]  Siriporn lives in a nearby town (about 90 minutes west on the Burmese border).  But right now she is in Bangkok for personal business.  And she will be able to meet Mom and Dad in Bangkok in June!!  I hate that I won't get to meet her, but this whole trip has far exceeded everyone's expectations, I cannot complain!  

On Dad's campus we sat in the back of a graduation ceremony (the school year ended this week) and met a few of the current foreign teachers, and then wandered around looking for something Dad recognized!  The first year he was a teacher his classroom was a bamboo pole pavilion with thatched roof, no walls.  Needless to say, that hut is no longer around!  The school has grown and is really impressive.  

We ran into some older teachers who gathered around to look at the photos.  These photos are such a big hit!  People LOVE them!  The man on Dad's right taught with Dad (same years) and remembers Dad.  Several other teachers recognized many faces in the photos. 

Dad at the front gate.  The building behind him was built while he was teaching.  He actually used it his second year here.  At the time it was a concrete structure with open walls.  They have since added walls but Dad knew exactly what classroom he had taught in!  

We ate lunch with some of the current foreign teachers (from Burma, the U.S. and Guatamala - quite the eclectic group!)  Late afternoon we went down to the riverfront area to bike around and watch the sunset, then headed for dinner.  I'll have to blog those pictures tomorrow.  The whole day was, once again, just incredible.  

I still can't quite believe we actually found so many people who remembered Mom and Dad.  The schools are still here.  Their house (brand new when they moved in) is still standing.  The town has changed in many ways, but there are still plenty of things that Mom and Dad recognize.  

It is truly a beautiful place and I can easily see why Mom and Dad loved their years here. And I am so so so glad I came!  

Tomorrow morning we drive back north to Chiang Mai.  We'll spend the afternoon and evening there, then I fly out early Sunday morning, headed home to Matt and all the little troops!  My parents will stay here in Thailand for a few more weeks, then more travels in SE Asia, then to China in mid April.   [They are spending six months in Asia, and loving it!]