Mon.-Our train arrived in BKK around 7. Took a taxi to the guest house and had breakfast there. Checked into our rooms. Lots of kids and parents around. There's a Christian school next door and some of the kids live here. We walked to the National Park and enjoyed our leisure walk around beautiful foliage, waterways, outdoor exercise equipment, many joggers, and monster lizards. We went to a very big international market. Things were less expensive there than anywhere else. I bought more scarves, ties, jewelry, etc. Susan found her Christmas gift there-a beautiful turquoisy green purse. She found ray band sunglasses and other fun things. Somehow we lost Phil and after three hours of looking for him, we came back to the guest house after leaving instructions on how to find his way back with the information center who was also announcing his name, etc. every five minutes. It's still a mystery how we didn't connect but I guess one needs a little mystery in life. Susan got a pedicure and manicure right up the street from our 'home' and then we went out to eat with Janelle and Micah one last time. Had chicken cashew and it may have been my favorite so far. Hit the sack by 9 after saying a fond farewell to Janelle and Micah.
Tues.-3:00 wake up call. On the way to airport in taxi by 3:30. I sat in front and soon he began to exclaim, "100 baht! to air! 100 baht! to air!" I thought we had a mad man on our hands. I said, "We'll pay you when we get there." Finally, after more yelling and misunderstanding, he pulled up to a toll booth and we said, "Ohhhh," and gave him 100 baht for tolls to take the road to the airport. Unfortunately, he took us to Dq airport instead of the BKK one and even as he was unloading our suitcases, we were asking others about the airport and some English speaking young people explained that we really wanted the BKK airport which was about 50 min. away. So, back we went into the taxi. The taxi driver spent endless minutes trying to slam down his trunk lid and finally, the lock stayed locked and we drove off. Soon we hit a speed bump and the trunk flipped open again. Bang! Slam! Bang! Over and over again. He must have attached it somehow because it was partially open. We saw signs for airport that started with an 'S' which made us a little nervous but feeling like the cab driver was a bit of a loose cannon we decided that no matter what, we'd get off at the next airport and take another taxi driver if needed to get to a different airport. Fortunately, it was the correct one and we had time to spare, having allowed 3 hours as the airport requested for international flights. We were on board by 6:45 and I had an aisle seat. Thank the Lord. We arrived in Tokyo 5 1/2 hours later. Were there for about an hour. Susan met Stephanie at one of these airports. They had gone to Girl's Camp together. I think Stephanie came up to her at the BKK airport and said,"Susan Hertzler?" Stephanie had been working in Bangkok for 7 months with a church there. We boarded a plane for Dulles. 13 hour flight. Watched several movies and slept a little. Phil read and slept and Susan dozed and watched movies. We waited at Dulles for at least 2 hours to get our commuter flight. I understood why people just lay on the floor. Slept the 31 min. on flight to Richmond. Phil drove home. Susan and I couldn't stay awake. We visited with Philip and Michael a little bit and were in bed before 10 and slept until 8:30 the next morning. Susan slept until 11. Phil was up at 2 in the morning and did some emailing and came back to bed. I gained 5 pounds in Thailand. All that rice, I guess. So, we left Thailand on Tuesday morning and got here Tuesday evening but from the time we woke up until the time we fell asleep in our own beds, it was 31 hours. Let that mess with your brain a little bit.
Wed.-Back in Va. I love my bed. Unpacked. Washed clothes. Visited with Alli, Freeman, and Nathan. Nathan hugged me and snuggled. No lie. He is getting himself around on the floor by rolling and pivoting. Susan went to the gym and dropped me off at the grocery store. I made 7 layer salad and a sweet potato casserole for tomorrow's lunch. Michael made pretzel candy with pretzels, chocolate wafers, and m&m's. He had worked hard at keeping the house clean while we were gone. I wrapped some gifts. Phil and I went to bed before 7. Not hungry all day.
Thurs.-Merry Christmas 2014!!! Woke up early. Started making 3 pounds of bacon in the oven. Warmed up 30 cinnamon rolls. Washed grapes. Orange juice rounded out our breakfast. Freeman's came for breakfast until lunch. We listened to the Messiah-Shepherds abiding in the Field-then sang 'There were shepherds abiding in the field' then Phil had Susan read the Christmas story from a scroll that Michael had written in calligraphy. Phil then gave it to me for my Christmas gift. He had commissioned Michael to make it. Phil had my name. So, then we started giving gifts. There were Thai ties, elephants, sunglasses, a purse, a bracelet, a frog, some jewelry, little purses, etc. given. After lunch we relaxed and listened to Phil's gift from Michael-a blues band-and watched a Columbo. Made homemade tomato soup and had bacon crackers for supper. A nice day. So good to be home.
Fri.-Slept until 8:30. 13 hours of sleep. Went over to Alli and played with Nathan while she got ready to go to Pa. I just walked in the house without knocking because Burl Ives was singing Christmas songs and as soon as N saw me he started yelling. Alli said, "It's okay, buddy." And I flapped my wings over to him and picked him up and danced with him over to surprise his mommy in the kitchen. Came home and did wash, dusted, vacuumed, washed floors, emptied bags, organized travel purses and supplies, washed a bunch of cloth bags, etc. Jordan, Erik and April were over for the evening for Philip's bacon burgers. Phil got something in his eye.
Sat.-Slept very little. Went to see Dr. Forand. She says I have parasites. I have just taken three days of wormer. So now I am taking some other things we have on hand. Washed Phil's silk shirts and hung them up to dry and ironed them. Took the card table out in the sun and worked on catching up with my blog. Phil and Philip shot a buck and Philip also got a turkey. Susan to gym in the eve. I made some cinnamon popcorn and Susan and I both had ramen noodles and watched Columbo with Phil. I am dragging and am some place between here and there.
Sun.-Susan to UVA with Coach Stephanie and family for the day. Went to church and feel so out of things. Jet lag and culture shock. But it's good to be with our family of believers. Michael and Philip are making pizzas and Tommy T. is over and Hannah and Ginny Corbin and Samantha Y. are here too, playing games and eating. Phil is reading a Ravi Z. book for the second time this week and taking a highlighter to it. Phil needs to be teaching college somewhere. Ricky Benson came over later bringing milk and Michael made several batches of eggnog. I played some Apples to Apples with them. After the girls went home the guys went over to the man cave to hang out for awhile. Freeman and Alli and Nathan just got back from Pa. The attended the Hertzler, Diffenbach, and Mast Family get togethers. Susan's on her way home from meeting and greeting the basketball teams at UVA. I see her car lights now.
No comments:
Post a Comment