Six Hours in Bangkok...

Six Hours in Bangkok....

Oh come on.... if you are in your 40's, how can you EVER say, "One Night in Bangkok" without breaking into song?

So, it wasn't one night in Bangkok, but Bangkok will always have the 'buzz'...

We escape the airport and take the train into the city.  We have been to Bangkok more times then I think I can count.  Not to mention, racing has brought me to Bangkok at least 4 more times then the family!  So... to   Sukhumvit Road we go.... my husband a creature of habit will occupy his time in the same way as usual, massage at Lean On Tree followed by spicy Thai food and as many "Singha yiah" as we can finish.

Kids and I head to Emporium for some browsing....  ended up using my Visa...but hey.... girl should look good!  Unexpected weight loss so I celebrate with a new dress!  Oh la la....

 Eirik managed to teach himself the bass....  Emily and I were free to shop as long as we wanted if Eirik was in the guitar store...

We found dad.

And the food.

And back to the airport to finish our journey to New Delhi.

Are we excited?  You bet!  New adventure.

India

And... We are in India. It's pretty amazing to be here. I know people are just chomping at the bit waiting to here all about our adventures and see how our humble family survived in the land of 1.2 billion people.

While I only have my iPad at the moment, I'll just summarize a few things that really are worth mentioning, things that surprised me....


The first most amazing thing is the railway system. I am completely impressed this system carries more than 2 million people and 22 million tons of cargo daily. Even more impressed is it's efficiency and (once you figure it out) ease to make reservations. A major triumph when I made my first reservation. ( unlike busses or planes, the train may start a long time before you get in and go for a long time after you get off....)


1. Having not researched enough about the local culture and religions, I realized 90% of what was in my suitcase was offensive! Delhi is predominately Hindu with a bit of Muslim, women show nothing... Knees and shoulders covered. I am thankful for the recent weight loss as I did bring a pair of longer Capri pants I wouldn't have otherwise.


2. 112*F (44*C) is really hot.

3. NO SMOKING! Seriously, the signs say, "No smoking, it is an offense!"

4. Fresh drinking water free at many public places! Huge respect for the government willing to make sure it's citizens drink clean water, free of charge!


5. In a city of more than 25 million, I never saw the same saree twice.

6. The poorest of women carry themselves with pride and humility.

5. Poverty in a train station will bring you to your knees as you see dirty barefooted children canvassing the tracks for empty water bottles.

6. Gandhi was amazing.

7. Women don't work for the most part. Our last stop is Mumbai, the most cosmopolitan and western city in India... So I am sure it is different.

8. The northern men love their women plump! Sitting by the pool in my very tiny bikini, I felt awkwardly self conscience about my weight.... I am pretty much a bean pole!

9. In Old Delhi, time seems to have stood still.... Men are working selling everything needed (not a tourist area) all secs of most eastern religions are working side by side in harmony.

10. I have never been hassles by so many touts in my life. Even with all the warnings and readings, they are so convincing... It was a bit scary.

11. in the north, my children were continuously photographed. It was sweet, interesting but at times very disturbing. There were a few instances we had to shield Emily like a movie star.


More later...

Homeward Bound....

wish I was..... Homeward Bound....
Home, where my thought escaping
Home, where my music playing
Home...

I have alluded several times, its been a tough year... I know I can be the queen of drama...make mountains out of molehills, but the year brought me to my knees, and rattled my core.  Never before have I ever questioned my inner strength to deal with any situation.  Even in times of hurt, anger, frustration... I am one of my strongest rocks.  I get that from my grandmother!  I get her... I understand.  I am tough, I am strong, I have a lot of self confidence, and I am a rock.

But this year... for reasons I won't write about... it sucked.  I am glad it is over... I am glad to be going home.

I love my kids more than life itself... its been a tough year for them.

We had the death of our Head of School.
We had a PTA with a very, VERY thin board.  And... I took the brunt of it.  When no one was around (and that was pretty much the last 4 months) it came down on me...

Thank GOD for my bike.

I remember having a conversation with a cyclist and his wife said, "What are you training for", his reply was, "It keeps me from being angry".  I didn't get it.

Now I do.

I ride very hard now.... I probably ride better, faster, and stronger then any time in my life.  Even after arriving home, I feel the need to go out again.

Riding has been my salvation.  I have tears and sweat on those rides...

The doctor told me to get counseling to let out all the 'stuff', and that the cycling isn't the way to go... well... I disagree!  ha!  In Bintan, I could absolutely care less about the race... my heart was with my son who was really struggling.... In Thailand, things were finally pulling together and I enjoyed the racing and felt I could exhale a bit again.

I have lost a solid 10 pounds, weighing in at no more the 125, ..luckily, no longer borderline anemic, and recovered my strength from an 8 month period (no exaggeration, I was exhausted)....

Now that school is almost out (2 days) and I have let PTA go, I have had a chance to 'feel' the year... and its all coming out....tears... frustration.. adn I even let someone 'have it' (but she deserved it!)

Life isn't all peaches and cream... and my blog posts don't have to pretend they are.  The truth is, during our journeys in life..... things go really right and things go not so smooth.  I am grateful for what I have, the good and the bad, I know my situations and it is very easy to look around and NOT FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF, that isn't my intention... but it doesn't mean that certain things don't hurt.

Off to India... looking forward to some culture...heat... and escape!

Don't know how I will survive w/out my bike though!