Another week has passed and much has been done. It was a good week at the orphanage--the scraping of the wall has been completed and now we are painting it! Also, more tiling has been done and the floor is beginning to actually look like a floor, and I taught quite a few classes this past week with one of my roommates (Yes! They are back!). This upcoming week the children start their exams and then they head home on Saturday--the rest of my time here will be spent painting, building, tiling, etc.

I am finally over my "cold" that I had for about a week. It is something else when you are sick in another country--especially a hot and humid one. But, the cough has subsided and I am ready for more work which is good because it will be given.

This past weekend my roommates and I went to Kanchanaburi--a city in south west Thailand. We left Friday morning and arrived early Friday afternoon. After we found a place to stay we headed out in hopes of finding Death Railway Bridge. I believe our attempt was successful, but we are still unsure. We made our way to a bridge and we believe it was the one we wished to see, but due to the heat and pure exhaustion we are unsure. Whatever bridge it was, though, it was beautiful.

Friday night we went out to a night market and then to supper. It was an early night because we got up at 5:30 the next morning in hopes of getting to the waterfalls early. We were told that the bus that went to the waterfalls left at 7, but we were mistaken and sat at the bus station for an extra hour. (There was a lot of waiting over the past couple of days). We did make it to the waterfalls and they were absolutely beautiful--crystal clear blue waters surrounded by numerous green trees. There are seven waterfalls in all, but we walked only to the first four. On the fourth, however, we decided to go for a swim--that was another small adventure. The water is safe to swim in as long as you are not afraid of fish nipping at your feet. I thought it would not be a problem, but you cannot say that until you feel them eating away at your dead skin. It took a while to get used to the feeling, but once I did I really enjoyed the swim. After our time at the waterfalls we started our trek back to Singburi (where we live)--yet another adventure. I do believe this was the first time on my trip here that I felt like a true backpacker--we were about 60 to 70 people stuffed on a bus that left an hour late--and I was not really sure where we were going. Once we arrived in Suphanburi--where our transfer was supposed to take place--we found that the bus to Singburi did not run that late at night and so we had to stay there until the next morning. The giggles started to ensue--nervous laughter I am sure. "We are in a city that we do not know, without a place to stay, and are not really sure where to go or what to do..." We found a hotel and were able to actually get almost half price on our room--I think the man felt sorry for us...looking at our tired, hungry, and scared faces might have had something to do with it.

We are now home--our bus left this morning and we spent the duration of today at the pool in Singburi. A long and successful weekend. Ready for another week at the orphanage.

It is odd to think that I have less than three weeks left. Three weeks from now and I will be back in the US--back to the "real world" I guess. I am soaking up every moment here and am trying to place the scenery, the people, the smells (even if they are disgusting), and the food into my memory. I do miss home and feel at times as if too much is changing. I am sure when I come home it will take a bit of time to adjust, not only back to the US but to all the changes that have presented themselves during my time here.

This may sound like a dire plea... and that is because it is. But, I am aching for a taste of home. So, please, if you could, send me a small update on what is going on I would truly appreciate it. The update does not have to be long or of much importance, but just hearing from people from home is heartwarming and makes me feel not so alone. I do miss you all and truly hope to hear from you soon!