Myanmar amd Laos

It has been a few days since we were able to get near a computer. Sometimes I have sent a post and it goes off into some Thai netherworld never to be seen again. We have been traveling in the far north of the country and for the last 2 days stayed on the Mekong River at the convergence of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar- formerly known as Burma. From the balcony we could see all 3 countries with the small fishing boats peacefully making their way up and down the muddy river. Myanmar is hard to get into and indeed Americans are discouraged due to the repressive political regime. It was heartbreaking to talk with a man who told me quietly that he had been a teacher until he chose the wrong side and now was selling postcards at the side of a temple. He said he had seen pictures of America but it was a hopeless dream. Soldiers watching us everywhere. We toured a village- all grass huts and earthen floors, everyone in the same room, the marketplace selling everything imaginable and of course the Temple. We were transported by motorized rickshaws and the drivers raced each other through the crowded streets. Very beautiful paople, carry groceries on their heads, the monks in their saffron colored robes and sandals. Laos was somewhat similar though the odd thing here was that they sell whiskey with dead cobras inside each bottle. Unimaginably gross. I am a little lost as to what I have written but the one thing that also stands out is our visits to the hill tribes. They live as they have for centuries, somewhat nomadic. At the 2nd tribe- the Akha- they asked me to examnine a 89 year old woman who seemed to be dying . She refused to go to the hospital- they had some sort of vehicle. I am not sure what was wrong though her pulse was strong and steady but I had the sense it was her kidneys due to her eyes. Our group leader is going to check but the family and tribe seemed to respect what I was saying and we are thinking we may have talked them into taking her. What an experience though I dreamt about her all night. Presently we are in Chiang Mai and I will continue tomorrow. Thanks for writing Dad and Bonnie. I miss you .