Relatively Safe

It's wild how things in a new place become "normal", when the same thing NEVER would've been acceptable before. Particularly regarding this idea of what's "safe"... Doug's brothers commented that the river raft (see previous post about Ethan & Baxter's birthdays) looked less safe than what Tom Sawyer would have ridden on! :) And it's probably true! Here's a look at the vehicles we've been travelling in these past 6-7 weeks! The most common "taxi" is the song-tao:

Here's a view of the back (it's a bit unnerving the first few times you ride in one of these going down the highway at 45-60 mph, seeing the pavement flying past the opening at the back):
(mind you, lest this picture deceive you or have you send the CPS people on the next flight to Chiang Mai, Ethan doesn't sit anywhere near the back when the thing is actually moving!)

This is called a tuk-tuk (pronounce took-took). We like these because you get more of a breeze.
And finally, check out this "ride" Ethan & Baxter took in the mall the other day. These panda bears have wheels and kids can drive them around the kids' section of the mall! WILD!