In Khon Kaen on way to Laos.

Hi guys,
Sorry for being silent for some days. Sometimes I'm just too tired or the cyber cafes are not within reach.
Anyway nothing much to write about the ride itself. It's when I meet people that it becomes interesting.I had been lucky so far as there was no rain except for a slight drizzle yesterday and I managed to stay dry with some shelter along the way. The rains are always in the evenings after I stop riding. In Korat I met some interesting people. Here's some of them:
1. An Australian lady (Christian missionary) at a cafe during lunch. Joy Norrish, born in New Zealand (Owaka) South Island, grew up in Darwin, Australia. At 20, left home to go backpacking around Australia, then to England and worked as a barmaid there in a number of pubs. From there went to Europe in 1976, Holland, Spain then to Morocco, the Sahara and to Kenya and ended in Johannesburg. All this was done in 4 months and 4 days.
She went back to Darwin and became a born again Christian and started a Drop-In Centre. The centre provides snacks, coffee, board games and table-tennis and preach Christianity. The funds were provided by the church.She did this for six years.
Then she ran a backpackers joint with 5 rooms in a big rented house for 5 years. After that she became a ' foster mum' for indigenous children from alcoholic parents and sexual abuse families.There were other couples providing the same, but she's the only single person.
Ten years ago she packed up and came to Korat, Thailand, when a Pastor needed someone to teach English. She taught English for 6 months at St. Mary and gave up as she found it impossible. (according to her Thai children start learning English at 5 but when they graduate from University they still can't even construct a proper sentence). She blames the Thai Education system. She then joined the American Missionary with 3 other families.
The interesting thing is, she has no formal training as a missionary like those from the convent who are known as 'Sister.' The day I met her she was packing to go back to see her family back home. She has an elder sister and an elder brother in New Zealand and a younger sister in Australia, with her mother, who is 89. She's 58 going on 59 and she goes in and out of Thailand to renew her visa every 90 days - isn't that amazing? She stays in a rented room at an apartment and says that she has never been harassed.
2. Mr. Sun Thon (53) a physical education teacher who is also a cyclist and a member of the Cycling Union in Korat.
3. A Japanese, Mr Kenjiro Oka (61yrs) also a cyclist and a photographer from Osaka. Besides cycling, he is also into horse racing and a kayaking instructor in Nagano. He also mountain bikes and had a number of crashes showing the pictures through his laptop. (I should do the same in my next trip) He also sails and wind surf. He is now in Thailand covering the amateur road races from Bangkok to Chiangmai.
In Korat I must thank Miss Nipawan and her brother and Miss Malinee Inla for their kindness in showing me around and introducing me to Mr Pisit Mitrapanont, the bicycle shop owner who attended to my bike. They are all passionate about cycling.
In Thailand I miss the newspapers, as all are in Thai. At least in Bangkok I had the Bangkok Post. It is also difficult to get coffee or tea. Thais don't seem to drink them.
Thanks again to those who posted comments. You keep me company. That's all, till next time, take care.
Adnan