Myanmar ("Elaine..., I'm going to Burma.")

With a regular tourist visa, you can only stay in Thailand for 30 days. We went to Mae Salong, in the mountains up north, and decided that we were so close to the border that we should probably just go ahead and cross.

There is a river dividing Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) and Thailand. Just outside our bungalow (my favorite structure we've stayed in so far), people were crossing the border by wading across the river. It was really bizarre. Thailand is a very clean country. No garbage problem. Sadly, there is a major garbage problem in Myanmar. There were bags and bags of garbage floating downriver. Scott actually saw people just throwing their trash into the river.

It was a totally different atmosphere in Burma. The minute we got over the bridge and through the gates there were people swarming us. Everyone was trying to sell us something. It was really sad. The first person I bought something from was a boy about your age who was selling playing cards and various other items. I had been looking all over for playing cards, so I bought from him. Be happy that you are entitled to a free education. I doubt that this boy will ever do anything but try and hawk his wares to tourists (the Thai people also cross over to purchase things cheaply). We were very happy to cross back over and get out of there.