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SSaawwaaddeeee KKoopp!! 

MMaannyy ooff yyoouu aasskkeedd mmee ttoo kkeeeepp yyoouu uupp ttoo ddaattee oonn tthhee aaddvveennttuurree II aamm lliivviinngg.. PPeerrhhaappss oonn aa 

rreeaallllyy bboorriinngg eevveenniinngg yyoouu mmiigghhtt ggeett aa cchhuucckkllee oouutt ooff tthhee rraammbblliinnggss II wwiillll ppuutt hheerree,, oorr 

ppeerrhhaappss iitt wwiillll ggoo iinn tthhee wwaassttee bbaasskkeett,, bbuutt eeiitthheerr wwaayy,, kknnooww tthhaatt II mmiissss yyoouu aallll.. 

CChheeeerrss!! 

BBrriiaann@@SSaawwttooootthhPPrroodduuccttiioonnss..ccoomm 880011--993388--66669999 

Leaving Salt LakeFriday April 3 many of you were good enough to sacrifice your time and livers to throw a little goingaway bash at Piper Down. A good time was had by all…Let the pictures tell the rest…

On Sunday April 5th, Dave and Shannon graciously hauled me and 8 suitcases to Salt Lake Airport at6am. Getting me outta their house after letting me stay with them for a week probably made theburden of getting up at 5:30 am an easy one! I can’t thank them enough for their hospitality.

After paying Delta an additional $430 for the 4 extra pieces of luggage that held my dearestpossessions (tools, video gear, computer parts, and of course, my popcorn maker), the 26 hour

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 journey was pretty uneventful (THE BEST KIND OF TRAVEL). I arrived in Bangkok about 1am to findAew, Aut (14 yr old son), It (13 yr old son) and Breeze (my new brother in law) awaiting my arrival.

We spent a few days in Bangkok seeing some sights,shopping and generally recovering. April 13 – 15 isSongkran Festival in Thailand, the Thai New Year.The culture and tradition has everyone pour a smallamount of water over the hands of elders to wash

away the past and honor them. This regal traditionhas mutated into a countrywide jovial waterfight thatnormally last 3 days. However, this year it ran 5 daysas the festivities started the weekend before theactual festival.

Sweet Home SisaketWe got to Sisaket (Northeast Thailand) on Sunday,and I’ve just been unpacking and playing at theSongkran Festival. Water, Powder, Song and Dance

were in abundance to celebrate Thai New Year. It was really crazy.

As I said, I’m living in Northeast Thailand near the Thai – Laos border. It’s very different here from thetourist areas. Very few Farang (Westerners), very little English, great people, and a very easy and

cheap way of life. I’m renting a 2bedroom Townhouse for about$70 US. Today we found a threebedroom 3 bath, 2 story house,with carport, fenced yard, greatpatio in a really nice area that weare going to rent. Get this…$140US per month! We have to getthe internet, satellite TV and airconditioning installed before wecan move, but hopefully We willbe in before the end of the April.

We went to a little restauranttonight owned by a Belgian man,Willy, and his Thai wife, Pim.Really nice people andcustomers. A guy from LA andone from Switzerland were alsolocals from the area hanging outat this little Expat hideaway. Ithought I was in heaven….aREAL STEAK!!!!! Now I know Ican survive in Thailand!

Aew, my wonderful new bride asof February, has welcomed meinto her family and we all getalong great. She has two boys13 & 14, Mother, Father, TwoBrothers, and more cousins thanI have been able to count, thathave been really helpful andwelcoming.

I am hoping for the pitter patter of little feet soon! NO.....I’ve been clipped…..I’m trying to find a goldenretriever puppy.

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An Isaan WeddingFriday April 24, 2009 – We were invited to Aew’s good friends wedding today. This was quite thefestival in her small home village of Banyo, near Yasothon.

At about 7am the Monks come to the home to eat. Don’t forget to bring some Baht for the couple!

Is that Tom Petty’s double neck? The drumline begins.

The Band warms up!

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 The crowd watches on….

The Crowd warms up….

The Groom leads the processional march through the village to the Brides home.

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The Mobile Sound System!

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Many more have joined as the procession arrives at the home.

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 The Groom’s feet are washed and he enters the home for the ceremony

The Groom waits while the dowry is counted….

…..and then the bride arrives.

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 Both are blessed, marked with powder, and decorated with flower wreaths.

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Gifts are given to the parents by the Bride & Groom

As a jovial gesture, the Bride & Groom are taken to their bedroom where they pose for pictures

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 The Caterers cook… Everyone eats and drinks….

Family and friends re-unite… Pictures are taken…

And a great time is had by all!