Everything is still grand, but the trip has taken a definite new twist since the last journal entry. Since leaving Singapore I have been to Phuket, Bangkok, and Ban Phe. As of Tuesday morning, I will be leaving Ban Phe and this is where the "new twist" begins. First, however, a little catch up. I had been to Phuket and Bangkok before so I knew pretty much what to expect. Phuket is absolutely beautiful, but it is "geared for" as well as "loaded with" tourists. If you want to sail, scuba, para-sail, kayak, etc., the Phuket has it. I, on the other hand, wanted to do absolutely nothing for a few days. In short, mission accomplished. See the pictures of the sunsets and then imagine me in a chair with a beer and book in hand while viewing. You will pretty well get the idea. There are many who love Bangkok. However, I am not one of them. It's hot, polluted, congested, nasty, dirty, and more. For this trip, the plan was to spend one night there in route to Ban Phe where I was to go to school for ONE MONTH in order to become a certified English teacher (details later). I did most of the tourist stuff in Bangkok last year, so on this trip to Bangkok I only had one thing in mind, an American movie at a Thai Cinema. Let me tell you, we could learn a thing or two from the Thais here. Imagine a "five star" theater where drinks and food are served in the lobby, you get a free 15 minute massage with the cost of entry, and you get to watch the movie in the comfort of your favorite Lazy-Boy chair complete with fresh pillows and blankets. All of this takes place while being waited on during the movie. It's the simple things, remember. Now the twist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I paid for a teacher certification course that would allow me to teach English anywhere in the world. Now I wanted to do this so I could supplement my travels while studying Spanish in South America later next year. In short, I wanted to be a part-time teacher. Well, the course had a different intent in mind. This course is for the serious teachers in life. People who want to teach for REAL and sometimes for life. Class was to be from 9-6 or from 8-6 everyday. On top of that you are expected to spend three hours a day outside of class doing homework and preparing lessons plans. All of this effort is honorable stuff, but its not for me. After one day, I am now a TEFL Dropout. Instead, I am losing my deposit and will be off to Laos via northern Thailand. I had not planned on visiting Laos, but as long as I can tolerate broken down busses, I have heard nothing but good things. Life is still good, but there will be no teaching in my immediate future. Take care and thank you all (except Kimberly) for the emails and notes. Jason * Pictures pending