Strength

Hi,

We are back in Chiang Rai, where the weather is wonderful.  Today is was in the mid-80s, going down to the mid-60s tonight.  Yeah, this feels good.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “School Days” by Chuck Berry.  Here’s an ‘Easy Monday’ tune we haven’t hummed in a long time:  “Diamond life, lover boy, he moves in space with minimum waste and maximum joy.  City lights, business nights when you require streetcar desire for higher heights.  No place for beginners or sensitive hearts.  When sentiment is left to chance, no place to be ending but somewhere to start.  No need to ask, he’s a __ __, __ __, __ __, __ __.”  Hint:  

We left off with us waiting for our plane at LAX.  There was a special moment when we first got to the airport.  When we dropped off our car at Hertz, we pulled into the wrong line.  After explaining our situation, they arranged for us to be driven to the airport in our rental.  At the curb, we had to figure out how to get our luggage inside to EVA Airlines.  A tall young man walked up and volunteered to help.  He was on his way to Fiji and was feeling good. He carried all of our luggage in one trip. The wheelchair people picked us up at the EVA ticket window.  When we got upstairs for the inspection and scrutinization portion, I got the royal treatment again.  This time I guess I looked like I would be an agreeable subject for a training session.  This young man, looking as nervous as I was feeling, started explaining everything I had heard in San Jose when I went through this the first time.  I tried to explain that I knew what to expect, when his supervisor/trainer stepped in and told me he had to say everything because it was blah, blah, blah.  She had a good sense of humor and we began to chat about ‘things’ as he interrupted to tell me which part of his hand would search where.  I was finally released with the knowledge that I’m a good training subject, and that most of the TSA workers are staying on the job so they don’t lose their place.  

Flying across the ocean was uneventful.  I was hoping to sleep a lot, like on the previous long segment, but there I was, wide awake.  I ended up watching some movies, snoozing a little, and wishing it was over.  That never works.  In Taipei we didn’t have too long before it was time to go to the boarding area.  When we arrived at the airport, it was very empty since we got there before the stores opened.  Later, when we rolled down the same corridor on the way to our flight, it was like a bustling city.  There they were, 7 something in the morning, selling perfume and whisky to whoever was willing to buy.  

Looking back over the whole trip, it was one of the most difficult journeys in the eleven years of doing this.  Mostly because of the physical issues this time.  Six months from now we’ll remember this with a smile and say ‘Well, that happened.’  For now, it’s time to rest and recuperate.

Pulling into The Big Brown House, we tried to absorb as much as possible.  The lawn, the trees, the house, it seemed like such a long time ago.  Daku was overjoyed as well.  He circled and circled and eventually calmed down.  We had  just finished dinner when Nitchanan made a shy appearance.  The first thing we noticed was her height.  She was taller.  Gong and Natcha had done an amazing job of moving all of our stuff back to the upstairs bedroom.  

The only thing we did on Sunday was drag ourselves over to The Wanderer for lunch.  Khun Noot came to our table and spent some time with us.  She made a pot of organic teas that she had blended.  She told us that over New Years the place was swamped with visitors.  It was nice to be there when it was mellow.

The first photo was taken by Lisa, on our approach to Chiang Rai.  These are some of the foothills that surround us.

The second photo is a cup of the tea that Khun Noot made for us.  

Last night Nitchanan was totally over her shyness.  As she entered our room there was a big “Hello”, and she picked up where we left off 3 weeks ago.  

Have a Great Week.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“It doesn’t take a lot of strength to hang on.

It takes a lot of strength to let go.”

~J. C. Watts