December, 6, 1988
Chiangmai, Thailand

Dear Don,

Merry Christmas! Hey, you haven't written me lately. Your last letter took over a month to reach me, so who knows.

I came back last week after spending a month traveling with my Dad through New Zealand and Australia. We rented a car and I drove over 4,000 miles! You know, over there they drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right. For me it's no problem because I lived in Japan and Thailand, but my Dad is another story. One afternoon I was feeling a bit sleepy while I was behind the wheel in New Zealand, so I asked my father to take over. In less than a half a mile he managed to almost hit 2 goats, 7 sheep, 1 old man, 2 women, and nearly drove the car over a bridge! Needless to say I drove the rest of the 3,999.5 miles.

I'm back now in Chiangmai. the weather is beginning to cool, especially at night. I'm glad because it's usually hotter than hell!

the good news is that I'm moving into a house next week. I've been living in a small one room apartment, and I realize that I need to rent a larger place if I want to stay longer. The house is only five years old and is $200 per month. The downstairs has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a large kitchen, dining room, and living room. There is also a room that kind of a porch, which I guess can be used as a greenhouse. Upstairs there are two bedrooms, a living room, bathroom, and two huge balconies. Lots of light comes into the upstairs, and the view is one of palm trees, banana trees, and traditional wooden Thai houses. It's a great house and I can't wait to move in!

So now that I'll be here a while I'm thinking of some projects to keep me busy and to make money. I want to write some English teaching material to sell in Japan; hope to teach English in house; export some teak furniture and wood carvings; and finally to try and raise money to set up a scholarship at the Chiangmai orphanage.

Why don't you some for a visit, Don? I know you won't because you hate to travel! I've got plenty of room now, so think about it, okay?

What's new with you? Any business ideas? Are you still going to go back to school? Let me know what's happening.

Take care,

Your pal,

Dave