The charcoal speckled pestle was slippery in my hand, making it somewhat difficult to grip tightly and grind the chili leaves I had plucked from a plant in the garden just moments earlier. Beads of sweat were forming a line along my brow. I wasn't sure what would ultimately produce more heat, the pounding and scraping with the pestle or the green curry paste the … [Read more...]

Massages in Thailand, and for that matter Southeast Asia, are good and cheap! I should know! Some people become experts in Thai street food. I made myself an expert on Thai Massage. I made sure to take advantage in every place I visited.  The Thai Correctional Vocation Center trains women who are almost due for release in the art of Traditional Thai massage and … [Read more...]

When you type the search terms “why you should not ride elephants” into a Google search, over 2,000,000 results are returned. I’m adding to that number with this blog post. Why? Too many people continue to ride elephants, unaware of the abuse the elephants have suffered and are suffering. I’m an unabashed animal lover. I have a soft heart when it comes to all … [Read more...]