Author: Rene

Yesterday we experienced the Risky Market. Perhaps you’ve seen this on a documentary or YouTube video?

A train slowly parades down the middle of the end-of-the-track and little family-owned stalls sell their wares up to the edge of the rails. Right before the approach, the signal is given and scores of businesses bring in their tented tops and scoot in an appropriate amount so as to protect themselves, patrons and wares. I assume it was riskier in days of yore, as it seems tourists are protected well by many of the shopkeepers hollering at them! Instead of “move” or “danger, danger” as a warning, the shout is given, “You dead. You dead.”

We continued with the risk today as we sped down highways without seatbelts and bounced along the waters on the high speed boat to our island. Tomorrow we discover the local sea life! Cheers to “Year of the Seahorse!”

It’s always a treat to enjoy live music in a foreign land.

Yesterday we happened upon a closet-sized stall with a vendor selling kitchen wares, and Buddhas, of course. A friendly man, he inquired as to our homeland. That’s always an interesting progression of facts: USA, Colorado, “John Denver.” You might as well just say it.

Immediately this friendly purveyor launched into, “Country Roads,” and of course, I joined in for all verses. He had a very hearty voice and excellent pronunciation. After the smattering of applause he then regaled us with the story of his daughter, who graduated from CSU, and proudly showed us her two diplomas, the other for her PHd in psychology from Ohio State. He was just delightful and able to direct us to the nearest toilet in Chinatown, a valuable nugget of information.

This little glimpse of joy happened because I really like looking at kitchen merchandise when I travel, even if I have to move sideways through a skinny aisle to see the treasures. I found nothing of material value, only that of shared loves – music and family. A highlight of the day.

If we would have had the opportunity, I would have said, “let’s do it.”

Yesterday we saw many beautiful people in traditional Thai dress at the temples we visited. Gorgeously attired men and women followed by professional photographers, clogging the walkways for those of us trotting around with phones snapping pics. Okay – I couldn’t have possibly done the dress-up gig. These people were all younger than 25, not as pasty-skinned as “moi,” and were unfazed by posing and impairing the visitation process. They were awfully stunning though, and it would have been fun to prance around looking that good.

Of course I have no photos as I couldn’t hold a handrail and phone at the same time. Instead, I clambered up and down and over steps, always praying I would not fall or trip or cause another to do so. (If I make it up and over the one-inch transition in my hotel bathroom I will consider it a success.) Thus far my prayers have been answered and hope they continue to be today as we trudge through ruins and assuredly log as many steps as yesterday. (Over 15,000)

My next goal – to sleep past 4:30 am and quit waking up before the city. Good morning, February 6th.

After doing some higher math, I concluded that door-to-door travel was slightly over 30 hours. (Would have been slightly shorter had a member of the traveling party remembered to set her alarm in the house. It added approximately ten minutes to departure time. We are still reeling from the shock.)

Today I sit in front of this gorgeous early morning view with the river in front of me and the lights of the city barely blinking. It is calm and quiet, I am rested for now, and more adventure awaits.

Even in my exhaustion I was totally surprised by last evening’s beautiful dinner replete with the most delicious coconut cake I have ever tasted. Overflowing gratitude to one of the best sisters in the world – Pom. We met some of her family and friends, dined exquisitely, and celebrated the beautify of her homeland. Today we look forward to another day with this most knowledgeable native guide. She perfectly explains history to us lingually-challenged Americans and freely converses in Thai and English. It is just delightful to listen to her.

I give myself an hour before I want to sleep again, and hope that this caffeine jolt kicks in around then. For now, I revel in the beauty of this created world with its inexhaustible diversity and glory.

It’s always a little disconcerting when a travel visa is still pending and the plans are to leave in three days!

Thankfully, at approximately 1:30 am this morning, our visas came through via email. It probably wouldn’t have been impossible to track them down overseas but it would have definitely been inconvenient. We could have been stuck on a beach for a week while the rest of our group toured the exciting ruins and beauty of Angkor Wat, which is a personal travel goal of mine. Although the beach does sound lovely as I sit with a little heater at my feet?

All I need to add to my bag are two pair of sunglasses and some readers, then I will be visually ready for the stunning spectacles awaiting us. Whoo hoo whew!

Just checking the luggage to see if what I need fits and if there is room for what I don’t need! “Need” is a strong word, especially when you’re reviewing the cosmetics and toiletries you use daily.

Anyway, the “travel drawer” I keep has dwindled over the years. It’s where the clothing goes that I’m just plain tired of, yet it still serves a purpose. It’s also the clothing that usually stays in foreign countries. I have a couple of things targeted for overseas travel, but most of them are for colder weather than what we shall be experiencing.

Gratitude to my sis for sending this little reminder which has always been a guide in my travails. The only problem – you have to look at yourself in your old clothes when you see the photos of your adventures!

The conversation last night revolved around me updating some apps on my outdated and yet, still maintaining a two-day charge phone. (The phone is six years old – not really THAT old, but yes, obsolete for most. And apparently most of my apps need a newer phone or some intense hoop-jumping for them to function.)

“Do you have Google Translate?”
”Yes…and this app, too.”
”Good, I used to have GT, let me check.  No….they want me to jump through some hurdles to reestablish my connection.  You have two apps that work?”
“Yes.”

”Good.  Don’t leave me, I’m not doing it.”

Totally “meant for each other” type of communication.  

Where is your driver’s license?

My husband was dragging my satchel upstairs to have me locate said document in order to see how my name is properly registered. Hm. Where was that little piece of plastic? Not in my purse.

Since I had just finished sorting laundry and emptying pockets, I was suddenly dismayed. I knew I had it yesterday! After finding numerous tissues, I thought I had done a thorough job of cleaning out the places that stash all of my necessary items for the day. However, in the most obvious pocket of all, out pops my license. Thankfully I had not done the dark colors first or it would have been cleaned and sanitized, most assuredly rendering it useless at the airport.

Thanks to my spouse for his timely question. The challenge of emptying my pockets more throughly continues. At least I’ve learned to check the sleeves for stashed tissues!

Well, this will not be it!

I do admire the fact that there is an Excel World Championship – and I heartily recognize I would be sitting in front of a screen looking at it for the entire time. How cool though…the chance to show off your skills in this amazing arena with other nerds. It’s just gaming of another sort.

The next adventure will be just as challenging – negotiating foreign lands with no knowledge of local customs. That’s my kind of sport!

Cashing a Benjamin is difficult! I’ve been trotting around with a $100 bill for a couple of months now, deciding to spend it yesterday on a $6.00 purchase. Wrong.

Aside from no cash in the register, the clerk was new, the line behind me impatient, and the woman in charge about to go on break. To be fair, the line wasn’t that long when I started this exchange, it only lengthened as this task presented its challenge.

It wasn’t impossible, and now I have tip money! We’ll see how quickly this new monetary display in my wallet dwindles away.