Don't let anyone tell you that our so-called "virtual" friendships here on PBase and other online forums aren't real. Today I was reminded of that fact in a tangible way. A package arrived in the mail from Thailand. I opened it to find the beautiful batik bag you see hanging from my arm in this picture. My dear friend Herve had sent it to me. Now, Herve may be French by birth and a resident of San Francisco but he says that Thailand is the place where he feels most at home. So I'm happy that he is currently spending a month there. CLICK HERE to see Herve's Thai photo galleries, past and present.

Thanks, dear friend. I am especially grateful that the sale of this bag will benefit women who are victims of poverty and violence in the south of Thailand. I will think of you with fondness whenever I use it, which I trust will be often. It is now folded inside my camera bag, ready for my next trip to the market. Beautiful as well as earth-friendly. No more plastic bags for me!