Today

Oh my. What a day. We wake to the news that a huge earthquake has hit in Northern Indonesia. People in both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (Northern Malaysia) have felt tremors. We felt nothing...but my heart hurts and yearns for the people so completely devastated by this event. It is strange to be so close in proximity...and yet be absolutely fine. My heart is aching.

Then I decide oh I have the car today- I am going to be independent and get some stuff done... I did get stuff done, but let me tell you what is easy and mindless at home- takes forever for me here. I have to gear up to drive- I am doing great around town, but seriously one has to be aware- looking all over to dodge scooters...thinking about staying on the left side of the road...looking in your mirrors always...
I drove to the market...I needed a new sim card for my cell phone...took ages, but success. Then to groceries...easy now that I have been here three months...then drop off laundry- but what the hell- the little laundry place has been closed for weeks. Tried to drop it off four times this week- the laundry basket is exploding- Devin has no socks...still locked up tight. Came home and called a friend who lives upstairs who has a washer on her porch....did a load of laundry just to get by....but how much soap- how many clothes can it fit? Then hang it to dry in the humid air....ok done all of the tasks for the day and now it is time for Nevi to come home from school. So you wonder what I do with my time....there you go. All of this would have taken me 30 minutes with the convenience of home...but alas three plus hours later- I am a success!
Now put myself in perspective...three hours of mindless chores....or devastation from an Earthquake....I now feel blessed to have had such an easy morning.

Lots of firsts

Genevieve's first train ride- well except a little train at the Zoo Lights in Portland!An overnight train is a bit different- and as far as she is concerned~ WONDERFUL! I hope she remembers all of these adventures as she grows older-

Overnight Train to Chiang Mai

So FUN! We had a nice dinner at the train station. I even had a beer which I rarely do~ drink beer. Devin had an amazing meal in a young coconut. Nevi had something called American fried rice.....everytime we see rice USA or American something we are always amazed at what comes out. One time it was rice with ketchup mixed in...this time it was fried rice with a piece of fried chicken, two hot dogs, a fried egg and I think that was it.

Then we got on the train. We went 1st class which means you have your own little compartment. See above- little is right- but it was perfect. Devin and Nevi slept together on the top bunk, and I had the lower to myself- luxury. We had a little sink and then down at the other end of the car was the communal squat toilet. We had such a great time staring out the window...Devin and Nevi would walk the cars and we all slept~ some. Nevi slept great....Devin pretty well and me- well not so much, but I loved it! This was a great way to travel from Bangkok to Northern Thailand- when we woke we had breakfast and watch the beautiful land pass us by! 14 hours and we were there!

suit

After the first meeting ~choosing the material and taking measurements...we came back a week later for the fitting. We arrived at about Noon- the fitting took about 10 minutes and then the completed three piece suit and custum shirt was delivered to our hotel that evening by 8pm. All for about $200 USD. Incredible. This suit is as beautiful as the first one. Now Devin just needs an excuse to wear it!

Tailor

When Devin was in Bangkok last year, he found this wonderful tailor and had a suit made. It is so beautiful~ so we came back all together and had another one made! Genevieve got a lesson in design, measuring, sketching and cutting!

Chicken Claw

Okay- this is Devin eating a chicken claw that was in our delicious lunch. Not attractive, but real. Devin has proven over and over- he will eat anything. So far he has had frog, all the organs and intestines of a cow and now this chicken claw. He is alone in this portion of our journey. But seriously~what a guy!

Images of Bangkok

Tuk Tuk's are a common and yet fading way to travel about in a city or town- really it is more of a tourist thing than transportation these days. But of course we needed to experience it...here is our driver talking to another driver trying to figure out where it is we wanted to go- even though Devin was showing it on a map:)

Long boat on the Canal

Ferry