Fourth National Flower Festival

So maybe it was a contest, or a show, or something, but I'm really growing fond of alliteration. And...it seemed more like a festival to me because it was way more than just flowers. I mean, there were:

Beautiful, prize winning flowers...




fruits and vegetables...

plants and trees....

pots for sale...

picnics...

ice cream...

monkeys in the trees....

I mean..people having fun

roasted corn...

coconuts(who knew there are so many kinds!)....

vegetable men...

rocks and a temple...



things to buy...


friends...

sleeping babies...

gossip....

fountains...

families...

police...

bikes...

the REALLY HUGE tree!...

and movie stars...wait, that's just me, and my roomie, and one of the many people who followed us around throughout the day trying to take our picture/be in a picture with us/generally, just stalk us.

And then, as we were leaving.....my roomie fell into the swamps of despair. Well, ok, it was a mud puddle...but it ate her shoe and she had to dig it out. Gross. and Hilarious.

Burqa Babes

So apparently my headcovering was slipping off. I'm obviously not very experienced at wearing this yet. Good thing I was just at home. And...I did say babes, plural. I'm just not posting a picture of the other babe. If you know my roomie and want to ask her, then you can see the other.

Goodbyes

Goodbyes are hard to say. Several friends just finished their terms and have landed on American soil. Some more goodbyes will come later. Hopefully these recent goodbyes were only see you laters....I think goodbyes have been the hardest thing for me these past 2 years.

Jurassic Park

A couple weeks back I went to my friends' house around the corner. It was a Saturday afternoon, and everyone was wanting to get out of the house. Auntie suggested we go to JP Park, and then she said, "Jurassic Park." and laughed. Little did I know what the park was like! :)

One of about 19 million photo stops. I was kinda getting frustrated because Ananya, the little girl, was tired of getting her photo taken and would just scream while everyone tried to make her look at the camera and pose for a picture. I really wanted just to play with her on the playground :( I'm really glad that Ananya moved here from the capital in April. She's only a couple weeks older than my neice, Briahna, that I left in America. I love teaching her new things and playing with her. Sometimes I just get annoyed at the way she is disciplined (or not)....and I hate that she doesn't wear diapers and isn't potty trained.....these things all equal BAD news!

Statues in the park... of people

of monkeys

another ananya photo

the girls

Hero

tigers....

fellow park goers

lions...

babies....or are they pygmy warriors? Some of them were naked.

bullocks

:)

hard worker....

again with all his animals...

more hard workers

another bull

women workers...

happy people that never leave or stop smiling

happy helmet fun

weddings, waterfalls, and a wonderful visit :)

After Thailand, I worked on another project and some reports and such. Then I went to the capital to sweat. Actually I went there to collect some books and info., but I believe that I sweated more than anything. For those of you who live in the capital, or in similar heat, I understand your suffering and I pray for you! NEXT.......I took a 16 hour bus ride one way (if you're wondering why...go back to the title of this post, or keep reading/looking at the photos!--yes, I took some photos, but a few are stolen from a friend)
The one and only...teal suit...haha, just kidding, kind of. The one and only, Laura Beth!! I was so excited for Laura Beth to come! Word on the street is that we'll be residing together soon.

Joyce, oh Joyce. This was an unknown overnight guest. She stayed with Laura Beth and I the night before the weddings. My Hindi was taken to new levels this night...I've never listened, answered so many questions, and translated this much!

The wedding guests, over 1000! Craziness!

The groomsmen...hey..Laura Beth, is someone missing? I'm thinking that I don't have the whole wedding party.

The bridesmaids

The ring bearers and flower girls

Bride and Groom #1....yes, there is a #2.....I did say weddings

Bride and Groom #2

The cake....I think only the top part is real!

Cutting the cake!

some wedding guests :)

hairs all made to look and smell beautiful

what a happy day!

Women's side....this was so fun....really one of my favorite things!

The men's side

The monsoon started the day before.....the water was amazing!

Main Falls

More

I can't get enough!

Again.

The waterfall crew

Again.

Baby Hannah, one of about 60 orphans.....all so sweet....what a wonderful visit!

and then, July ended just like it started.

Where did the time go?

Somehow, my last post was May 31st (unless you count the 3 liner I wrote last night). I don't really know how 2 1/2 months passed by and thinking about it is kind of crazy. Sheley and I finished up some projects in June, and parted ways on June 25th. :( She went to Indonesia, and is loving her time there (visit her site to keep up with what she's doing :) www.frmglory2glory.blogspot.com ) As Sheley went to Indonesia, I went to Thailand for about 2 weeks for some meetings/training, to renew the visa, and for some fellowship/worship time with some really awesome people. Amidst all of the fun and great food (namely Miguel's for Mexican and Burger King for Burger King burgers) I forgot to even take my camera out of my room. Yep, it sat on the bench next to the tv the entire 2 weeks.