This is the dAy. I am off to Shanghai. Mike and Kay are taking me to the airport in a few minutes. I have really enjoyed my stay in Thailand.
Yesterday the girls at the Well made me a beautiful farewell dinner. For the last time we sang and danced. Little Gracie,3 year old,too. We did "Head,Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and the Hawaiian hula"Hukilau"
I am lookng toward new experiences in China.
Yesterday I met a girl who did the Siberian train across Russia.
Better close before this computer goes out on me.
Aloha
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
I've enjoyed my stay in Thailand.
Soon I will be leaving Thailand. I have been here nearly two and half months.
I have enjoyed being here very much.
In reflecting back to December 18th when I arrived here the things I enjoyed most are the people, both the Thai people and the many others I have met here,especially in the hostel on Sukhumvit Road. Last night I was at Queens Park to join the Chinese dancing group. I really enjoy this. The movements are basically Tai Chi but much more elaborate. They have other groups but I decided to join this group.
After the session I bought a cool icy drink for 10 baht from the vendor on the street and took a stroll around the park. Food is relatively very inexpensive for us. A US dollar is equal to about 32-33 baht. A girl at the "Well" reminded me that for the Thai, food is not cheap. It is wonderful to be able to pick up steam sweet corn and nicely cleaned prepared watermellom,pineapple, and other fruits on the streets for 10 baht. The parks are very well kept and landscraped beautifully. In the evenings it is well lit,but dark enough for lovers and others to sit and enjoy the evening surronded by a beautiful lake,fountains, trees,and interesting scultures that grace the parks. I especially like to watch the kids trying out new skills at the skate board ring and other sports like basket ball(I love the fact that on the basket ball court I see girls mixed in with the boys)volley ball and interesting game with a small plastic ball with holes in it played like soccer using feet, head,chest and body parts but no hands and hit across a net. Sometimes they flip upside down to hit the ball with their foot.
I've enjoyed very much meeting the people at the "Well" and working with them. Teaching the class in English was a joy. I held my last class, 9 sessions,yesterday. After reviewing all the sessions we ended up doing "Hukilau" hula. Those who learned it earlier helped the new girls who had not done it. We had great fun, and did lots of laughing.
Last Saturday everyone at the "Well" spent a day at the beach. It took us a litle over 2 1/2 on the bus to get to Pattaya. This was an extra special event because 5 adults and 4 children were being baptized. The adults were emersed into the Sea of Thailand. The Sea is very calm with little waves so when teaching "Hukilau" I had to let them know that at good surfing beach we have big waves thus our hands express the waves this way when dancing "Hukilau"
I have had a hard time pronouncing Thai names just as I learned why they have difficulty saying English names and words. They don't have r,w,and th in their language. It is fascinating to me how man developed languages.
Iam a small town girl so Iam not especially fond of cities. Bangkok is a big city. Those who enjoy shopping would love Bangkok. Many mega shopping centers. They claim to have one of the biggest outdoor markets in Asia. It is fascinating. I especally enjoyed the pet shop in the middle of the open market complex,under cover. Many,many cute little puppies,and bunnies of all types,colors and shapes.
I dislike traffic,busy city traffic with buses,motor cycles in and out everywhere, but I do like the Sky train and subways. They are fairly uncrowded and airconditioned. Although the river is heavily polluted I enjoy traveling on the river taxi. The fancy hotels have free boat taxi to their hotels. And if you want to avoid the hot humid weather it is a good way to enjoy the afternoon in a beautiful hotel. Carol of Florida and I spent an afternoon listening to beautiful piano music at the Peninsula Hotel. The hotel boat taxis are very beautiful,too.
From the river it is easy to get to the many interesting temples,grand palace grounds,and other sites. I am fascinated with the elaborate architecture. Not only the old,but even the new buildings. Carol of Florida who is also a real estate agent in Florida commented on the very interesting buildings here. And around our hostel there are three large building projects going on. Soi 38 has many interesting large buildings. One of the princess has her home here. The building across the hostel that is coming up will be the home of a man who owns a music company. We also have a very unusual home (looks European with huge columns)Iam told owned by a rich Chinese Contractor.
Thailand is my 8th overseas country. I still have 5 more countries before returning home to Hawaii. Most people are amazed that I am traveling alone around the world for a year. The truth is so am I. I often stop and say to myself "Iam here,I can't believe it" I really never imagined that I would be doing this. Like Joseph who said to his brothers God sent me to Egypt. I can say God sent me around the world. Meeting the exchange students in their home country has been an amazing experience.
I thank God everyday for this wonderful opportunity to see his world. It has truly been amazing and wonderful.
Next weekend I will be going home to Kay's home north of Bangkok. Mike's folks just arrived from Pennsylvania and they will also be going.
I just got an email from Sandra Lee. Yes, she is back from a two week tour of Egypt.
I will be flying into Shanghai and taking the bus or train to Hangzhou. On the train it will take a little over 2 hours and on the bus 5 hours. But Sandra recommends the bus. Apparently it get closer to her school and is probably cheaper.
The Bangkok Post newspaper had a picture of Hangzhou under snow,but I am praying that by next week the weather will be warmer and so does Sandra.
I will stay in Hangzhou three weeks,then stop in Hong Kong for a weekend.
I have been in touch with Andy Cho Hong, a teenager I met 7 years ago on my way to seeing Sandra in Zhuhai,China. I am looking forward to our meeting.
I've been in touch with Isoko Asami, of Tokyo. I will stay with her but soon after she will be leaving for the Merry Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii. We met in Hawaii through Doric and our hula halau.
Emily Cousins' parents emailed me assuring me that they will meet me at the airport on Sunday April 6. I hope to spent a month in Australia. It is a big country and I hope to see the Australians I have met around the world.
I haven't gotten in touch with Laura Brier of Wailua, Kauai, but I will soon.
She offered her place in New Zealand. I may need to accept her offer. I think it will be getting cold when I get there. They will be heading toward winter.
My grandchildren Zion and Kauila will bet out of school on May 28th. I have flights to arrive in Honolulu on the 30th. They have until June 8 before going to summer school. We have a week to visit to visit. They will come to Kauai and stay with me after summer school is over. Kauila's kindergarten class has been studying Asia.
Shari has asked for postcards and other things for him to share in school.
It will be so nice to get back home. I think I will do absolutely nothing next year.
I've been trying to ship some Thai rattan furniture to Kauai,but so far having a hard time. I should know by tomorrow whether I will be able to do it or not.
Life has been great!!!!
Aloha,and a hui hoa,
joanne
I have enjoyed being here very much.
In reflecting back to December 18th when I arrived here the things I enjoyed most are the people, both the Thai people and the many others I have met here,especially in the hostel on Sukhumvit Road. Last night I was at Queens Park to join the Chinese dancing group. I really enjoy this. The movements are basically Tai Chi but much more elaborate. They have other groups but I decided to join this group.
After the session I bought a cool icy drink for 10 baht from the vendor on the street and took a stroll around the park. Food is relatively very inexpensive for us. A US dollar is equal to about 32-33 baht. A girl at the "Well" reminded me that for the Thai, food is not cheap. It is wonderful to be able to pick up steam sweet corn and nicely cleaned prepared watermellom,pineapple, and other fruits on the streets for 10 baht. The parks are very well kept and landscraped beautifully. In the evenings it is well lit,but dark enough for lovers and others to sit and enjoy the evening surronded by a beautiful lake,fountains, trees,and interesting scultures that grace the parks. I especially like to watch the kids trying out new skills at the skate board ring and other sports like basket ball(I love the fact that on the basket ball court I see girls mixed in with the boys)volley ball and interesting game with a small plastic ball with holes in it played like soccer using feet, head,chest and body parts but no hands and hit across a net. Sometimes they flip upside down to hit the ball with their foot.
I've enjoyed very much meeting the people at the "Well" and working with them. Teaching the class in English was a joy. I held my last class, 9 sessions,yesterday. After reviewing all the sessions we ended up doing "Hukilau" hula. Those who learned it earlier helped the new girls who had not done it. We had great fun, and did lots of laughing.
Last Saturday everyone at the "Well" spent a day at the beach. It took us a litle over 2 1/2 on the bus to get to Pattaya. This was an extra special event because 5 adults and 4 children were being baptized. The adults were emersed into the Sea of Thailand. The Sea is very calm with little waves so when teaching "Hukilau" I had to let them know that at good surfing beach we have big waves thus our hands express the waves this way when dancing "Hukilau"
I have had a hard time pronouncing Thai names just as I learned why they have difficulty saying English names and words. They don't have r,w,and th in their language. It is fascinating to me how man developed languages.
Iam a small town girl so Iam not especially fond of cities. Bangkok is a big city. Those who enjoy shopping would love Bangkok. Many mega shopping centers. They claim to have one of the biggest outdoor markets in Asia. It is fascinating. I especally enjoyed the pet shop in the middle of the open market complex,under cover. Many,many cute little puppies,and bunnies of all types,colors and shapes.
I dislike traffic,busy city traffic with buses,motor cycles in and out everywhere, but I do like the Sky train and subways. They are fairly uncrowded and airconditioned. Although the river is heavily polluted I enjoy traveling on the river taxi. The fancy hotels have free boat taxi to their hotels. And if you want to avoid the hot humid weather it is a good way to enjoy the afternoon in a beautiful hotel. Carol of Florida and I spent an afternoon listening to beautiful piano music at the Peninsula Hotel. The hotel boat taxis are very beautiful,too.
From the river it is easy to get to the many interesting temples,grand palace grounds,and other sites. I am fascinated with the elaborate architecture. Not only the old,but even the new buildings. Carol of Florida who is also a real estate agent in Florida commented on the very interesting buildings here. And around our hostel there are three large building projects going on. Soi 38 has many interesting large buildings. One of the princess has her home here. The building across the hostel that is coming up will be the home of a man who owns a music company. We also have a very unusual home (looks European with huge columns)Iam told owned by a rich Chinese Contractor.
Thailand is my 8th overseas country. I still have 5 more countries before returning home to Hawaii. Most people are amazed that I am traveling alone around the world for a year. The truth is so am I. I often stop and say to myself "Iam here,I can't believe it" I really never imagined that I would be doing this. Like Joseph who said to his brothers God sent me to Egypt. I can say God sent me around the world. Meeting the exchange students in their home country has been an amazing experience.
I thank God everyday for this wonderful opportunity to see his world. It has truly been amazing and wonderful.
Next weekend I will be going home to Kay's home north of Bangkok. Mike's folks just arrived from Pennsylvania and they will also be going.
I just got an email from Sandra Lee. Yes, she is back from a two week tour of Egypt.
I will be flying into Shanghai and taking the bus or train to Hangzhou. On the train it will take a little over 2 hours and on the bus 5 hours. But Sandra recommends the bus. Apparently it get closer to her school and is probably cheaper.
The Bangkok Post newspaper had a picture of Hangzhou under snow,but I am praying that by next week the weather will be warmer and so does Sandra.
I will stay in Hangzhou three weeks,then stop in Hong Kong for a weekend.
I have been in touch with Andy Cho Hong, a teenager I met 7 years ago on my way to seeing Sandra in Zhuhai,China. I am looking forward to our meeting.
I've been in touch with Isoko Asami, of Tokyo. I will stay with her but soon after she will be leaving for the Merry Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii. We met in Hawaii through Doric and our hula halau.
Emily Cousins' parents emailed me assuring me that they will meet me at the airport on Sunday April 6. I hope to spent a month in Australia. It is a big country and I hope to see the Australians I have met around the world.
I haven't gotten in touch with Laura Brier of Wailua, Kauai, but I will soon.
She offered her place in New Zealand. I may need to accept her offer. I think it will be getting cold when I get there. They will be heading toward winter.
My grandchildren Zion and Kauila will bet out of school on May 28th. I have flights to arrive in Honolulu on the 30th. They have until June 8 before going to summer school. We have a week to visit to visit. They will come to Kauai and stay with me after summer school is over. Kauila's kindergarten class has been studying Asia.
Shari has asked for postcards and other things for him to share in school.
It will be so nice to get back home. I think I will do absolutely nothing next year.
I've been trying to ship some Thai rattan furniture to Kauai,but so far having a hard time. I should know by tomorrow whether I will be able to do it or not.
Life has been great!!!!
Aloha,and a hui hoa,
joanne
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