Asian Institute of ...what?

I thought it was "Asian Institute of Technology" but that can't be right because it took until today for us to be allowed to access the internet. I've had like a nervous twitch because I haven't been able to get on. But all is well now.

We just have a short lunch break until back to class, but wanted to take a chance to tell everyone that we are all alive and well. We have had a very fun couple of days and are starting to get into a routine. A routine that includes:
-Squeezing all 7 of us into taxis for 40 min drives
-Finding giant lizards around campus
-Braving the cold showers
-Fantasizing about our next trip to FuturePark (the crazy mall)
-And hanging out with Bao and Nai (sp?)-- our incredibly friendly and helpful graduate-student-babysitters

We just had our first class this morning and it was a lecture from a retired prof who also served on the Thai Election Commission. Kind of a big deal. Very cool.
(The thick accents remind me of math classes at MSU...)

Last night we took our first adventure into the city and we had a blast. Involved a lot of walking and wandering, a creepy encounter with Iranian men who wanted us to party with them (one had a cocaine pinky nail, yikes), and witnessing the balance of the very depressing  culture of prostitution and begging with the bumpin night life and "land of smiles" mentality. Chad and Torey got their first Dr. Fish massages and the rest of us got head and shoulder rubs that WERE SO INCREDIBLE. She used this Thai-version of Vicks vapor with these scents that were so weird but great. We ended up in an Irish pub with live music and had a lot of fun there. Got a Detroit shout out from the band although they refused to play Journey for us. Jordan and I danced and a lady from Boston told me "I have some Irish in me"... compliment?

Made it out unscathed and we are already busy planning brainstorming plans for our next excursion. Tomorrow afternoon we are going to see the Grand Palace in the the city, which should be a very cool experience. Excited to see the river on which the city lives on and boat around the floating market.

Very glad to finally be with the group and everything is going well for us. Had a hard time looking at the Koh Samui pics because I freaking miss my family, but that's a part of the package I suppose.

Hope all my MSU friends have a great first week at school!

Love to America,

Ro