Thailand: the city of smiles and this is how I was going to die...

Every trip is approached with high anticipation. The desire for food, drinks, beaches and fun is abundant. Thailand was no exception and I was packed and ready to go days before. The morning of we weren't able to catch the chopper so a long and windy road brought us to the airport. Poor Lil' Hannah was super car sick but was able to not throw up. We boarded our flight and set off to Phuket.

Three flights and two layovers later we finally set our bags down in Thailand along with two other families. It was a long process to get there but we finally got some sleep! We stayed at Club Med Phuket (which I do not recommend because it was very overcrowded -- had to pretty much fight for food, drinks, a seat to eat our meals and the excursion was not what we paid for). The next day we took Hannah and Mason to kids club and us adults walked to town. What a wonderful place -- seriously, everyone smiles there!! I think because of their Buddhist culture.

Sunday was a very special for Thailand, their New Year where the Thai people celebrate the Songkran Festival (aka the water festival). The Songkran Festival is about cleaning, purification, and fresh starts. Houses are cleaned, Buddha statues are gently washed with scented water, and elders are honored by pouring water respectfully over their hands. Although the origins of Songkran are far more religious, splashing complete strangers with water has become the main attraction of the festival. Dousing or sprinkling people with water signifies the washing away of bad thoughts and actions, and brings them good luck in the new year (http://goasia.about.com/od/Events-and-Holidays/a/Thailand-Water-Festival.htm). We were armed with water guns, buckets, friends and new acquaintances. I have never had so much fun in my entire life. Witnessing the smiles on my hubby's, kiddos' and friends' faces was fabulous!

The next day Mike and our friend went on a private fishing boat and deep sea fished to celebrate their April birthdays. They caught yellow fin tuna that was instantly filleted and served right on the boat. They had a great time. Us ladies spent the day shopping and had a delicious lunch and drank some amazing wine while the kiddos played in kid club.

Tuesday we all packed into a van and went to find some elephants. The road our driver took had some deep curves and hills along the coastline where we got to view all the beautiful beaches, Buddhist offerings, huts, homes, and businesses. A fantastic drive. We arrived at a random place where four elephants were lined up ready to go amongst metal sided shacks with worn wooden plank stairs that housed the local Thai people. We all got on our elephants which was a little scary. They are so massive and you're so high up and when they walk they shift drastically from side to side. Mason was particularly nervous. They guided us through the hot jungle. The guide that was on the front of our elephant jumped off and asked me to sit on the elephant where he was. He instructed me to keep my hands on the top of the elephant's head. Cool! I was now guiding the elephant. All was well until we were greeted by an unwelcome wild dog. Our elephant and the elephant in front of us started to (what sounded like a) growl and the vibrations from their huge bodies was freakishly loud, deep and shook us (ah sh*t this is how I was going to die, by a elephant gone crazy in the jungle of Thailand!!). The guides shooed the dog and uneventfully we continued our walk (thank God!). We stopped at a clearing on the top of the hill to an gorgeous view of Phuket and the ocean. Truly breathtaking. Our large new friends then carried us back to the place where we began and the fun really began for me -- we got to bathe the elephants in a muddy, deep pond. It was awesome! The guides were in the water with us and cued them to spray us with their trunks. Hannah took to the baby elephant in the pond and smiled from ear to ear. It was time to go but I was half-tempted to stay!!

After our elephant ride we journeyed to the Big Buddha. Big Buddha holds true to it's name and stands 45 meters high (roughly 148 feet high). The Big Buddha construction began 10 years ago and is still underway. The best part for me was the chiming of the prayer bells. These heavy brass bells are hung everywhere. They are inscribed with prayers, hopes, dreams and wishes. We got to leave one as well and I smile knowing it's singing in the winds of Thailand.

Our greatest adventure and a favorite for all of us was taking a private boat to snorkel in the Phi Phi islands. Never have I experienced such warm, clear and salty water. It was amazing we zoomed to three different areas where we snorkeled, floated, and jumped off the front of the boat into the gorgeous water. We had a divine lunch right on the beach. It was an absolutely amazing day.

The time between our adventures was spent on the light sandy beach, swimming in the warm ocean, golfing and doing the trapeze. Our trip to Thailand was so amazing! The memory and the friendships we tightly bonded will last a lifetime! I appreciate the beautiful, gracious people of Thailand who helped deliver another great adventure for the Gines family.

Our serious countdown has begun to when we get to go home for the summer. It'll be a year almost to the day that we left our family and friends and the oh-so fantastic soil of the US. Can't wait!!!

As always, to be continued...

 

My blog has been published...

I have created my blog into a book mostly as a family keepsake but thought I would share!
Here is the link:

http://blur.by/1s5j3qI

Thanks to all for your love and support during this adventure. We couldn't have done it without you!!

It pierced my shoulder and pain seared through my body...

I was jammed under a rock hiding and my heart was pounding! Suddenly a man stood up from behind the rock above me and drew a bamboo arrow back through his man made bow. He released the arrow and it flew towards me in slow motion. I could hear it whistling through the air, I tried to duck but I was too slow, it pierced my shoulder and pain seared through my body...

BEEP BEEP BEEP "oh saved by the bell" I say to myself as my alarm wakes me up from that terrible dream. "Yikes that was scary" my heart still pounding. This morning I was going to Banti the village that is just down the road from town. I have heard several stories and not sure what to expect and apparently I am nervous.

I met one of our doctors at the hospital and away we go to the Banti hospital. The road down is bumpy and we arrive at the threshold of "job site" and real Papua -- a yellow gate divides the two. Security lets us through (in some way I feel a little more secure living in the gated confines of "job site"). Now in the area controlled by the Seven Suku (the Seven Suku is comprised of the leaders of the seven tribes within the area) the vehicle turns and there is the bridge that takes us across the river, however, a few months back the river flooded and took out the bridge. The devastation to the bridge was impressive. Since the bridge is gone and the new road isn't completed we had to drive through the river. This can only be done when the river is low and it's not raining as flash floods and landslides happen often (hence no bridge). The river was low and beautifully clear.

We continued down the rocky road. The further we got the villagers began to come into view and sure as sh*t there were three guys walking up the road carrying their bow and arrows. I instantly panicked what did I get myself into? "Breathe, breathe, Kristen" (thank God for yoga). As we drove by them they just looked at us seriously but kept on their way. Phew. I took the opportunity to tell the doctor that I was nervous and he explained that they will not hurt or harm us in any way because they know we are here to help them. The white vehicles and the red cross represent that. Ok, a little relief but my guard is still going to be up. The road widened and flattened and the doctor pulled over so he could show me where the tailings from the mill from the mine enter the river. (I was a little weak getting out of the car.) I stepped up onto the edge of the road and wow, it was crazy! The thick gray sludge rushed down the river splashing over huge boulders. I couldn't believe how the crystal clear water I had just seen was now like gray chocolate milk. But that wasn't all, I was looking over a massive operation. Ropes and pipes were strewn from boulder to boulder. The ropes held up man made bridges and the pipes run clear water to several stations in the river where men stood by their sluice boxes panning for gold alongside their sludge dams made out of sticks. In addition to the configurations of pipes and ropes there were huts and houses built on stilts. It was awe-inspiring. The tailings from the mine carry 10-20% concentrate of gold. These operations line the river all the way to port site and this is how they earn a living.

We got back in the car and continued down towards the hospital. Soon we were confronted by two little piglets. Oh they were so cute. They clumsily crossed the road and then a huge, fat pig meandered across. Awesome! We continued on and shops, huts, pigs, roosters and villagers bordered the road. It was amazing. We finally arrived at the hospital.

The doctor who runs the hospital gave me a personal tour. The hospital is small but is very functional. Today there are only 15 patients which is very unusually quiet. The doctor thought it was quiet as, he predicts, a lot of the villagers have gone down to Timika to fight a war against another tribe. (The war has caused 8 deaths and hundreds of injuries). The common illnesses that are treated at the hospital are TB, pneumonia, malaria, gastrointestinal diseases and domestic abuse cases. In severe cases the patient is sent up to the hospital in Tembagapura for treatment. The employees at the hospital also teach the locals about good hygiene like washing their hands etc.

After the doctor finished his rounds we journeyed back to Tembagapura. I was thrilled to be able to see and experience what I had. Truly, truly blessed. And relieved I wasn't shot with an arrow. Resuming next week a group of ladies and I will head down to the hospital to play with the children. I say resume because they used to go down every week but haven't since the bridge was washed out. (I hope that I can also help them with a little yoga stretching).

As always, to be continued....

In the 1st picture, it's hard to see, but there is a man running a sluice box to the left of the huge boulder...

 More men (on the right) panning...

A little perspective...

As time creeps on and going home to visit gets closer everything seems to be like a festering splinter. All the little things are getting bigger and bigger and more annoying. It's not bad here it's just the isolation that gets to me every once and a while (probably the times I mostly post)! I was thinking this as I was walking from the school to the store in hopes to buy block or shredded cheese after three weeks of the store being out (yep, annoying, right? Just as annoying as my phone telling me every five seconds that my internet connection is unstable.). As I was walking two Papuan women were crossing the rocky unpaved road and there was my perspective. These women, one who had no shoes and the other shoddy flip flops, were carrying their heavy nokens on their heads and their hands were full (pictured below). They emanated such strength and devotion. They do whatever they have to do to survive (some stories are worse than others) and I had some self-reflecting perspective. Life always has a way of working out and at times we have to do what we have to do to survive and my selfish anger for needed cheese didn't seem that important anymore.

Hannah had to go to the doctor today as she hurt her arm. All checked out well and the convenience of the hospital again soothed my festering splinter. I spoke with the doctor and he mentioned going to the local village next week and I asked to tag along. So very excited to see and experience the local Papuan village but so very nervous about it.

My countdown mental note: exactly three weeks from today we will be on our way to Phuket, Thailand and six more after that we will be headed to the States where Hannah says she is going to cry in the grocery store isles and I will be crying over my chile rellano. The anticipated weird looks won't faze us -- we're plenty used to it here.

As always, to be continued!....

     

My new blog...

I am happy to announce that I have created a new blog. This blog will not replace this one but it will focus and highlight my love for yoga, fitness and wellness! I hope you enjoy it as much as I am going to!!

http://travelfityogini.blogspot.com/ 

The Wondrous Waterfall…

As the extracurricular lifestyle is lacking and dismal it’s a must to seek out adventure. This weekend we conquered the famous waterfall. This wondrous waterfall can be seen high on the steep mountain from almost every angle in Tembagapura. It’s a life force that breathes heavy from the rain water from the rocky cliffs above. When the waterfall weakens we know that water restrictions will soon trickle down to town.

The five of us (us and our Pembantu), a friend and another family (joined by their mom who was visiting from Canada) ventured up a roaring dam after parking the LVs.  The rocks were massive, slick and the water was cold. We shuttled the kids and each other across the big rocks at the base of the dam. There we met a slippery-like-ice rock ledge that falls off to similar large rocks, raging water, debris and rusted rebar. This section is the most hair-raising and difficult part of the hour plus trek. We safely maneuvered the rock ledge to find a steep and narrow passage layered with ropes that went up. One would assume that up we had to go but it was straight up! The bigger kids did great and enjoyed the obstacle. Mike wrapped his arm around Mason and the two of them pulled themselves to the top of the passage. From there it was an enjoyable walk surrounded by dense jungle with the occasional fallen tree and leaves that kiss your face as you walk by.

The jungle then opened up to a gigantic boulder field -- boulders the size of ancient dinosaurs all the while the waterfall water creeps down and fills the crevasses with its life. The clear and cold water rushes down as the boulder course takes us up to the waterfall. So jumping, sliding, scooting and climbing we went, up and up.

The course is distracting whilst carefully watching where to put your feet, your hands and where your children are going but wasn’t before long that I stopped and looked up and there it was, the waterfall! It was breathtaking. It was so colossal. The kids were right up to its crystal clear pool then down they came hopping from boulder to boulder. My heart began to pound due to the wind that was being created by its force. The closer I got the harder it was to breathe. The gushing force created such wind and freezing moisture that it was literally taking my breath away!!

It was like we were in another world -- away from the little town that can smell really bad at times, the screeching buses were no more and the mischievous town kids vanished! It was peaceful and amazing! With no worries and filled with excitement we enjoyed its beauty and life and then carried it with us as we made the journey back down.    

With great friends, family and weather our adventure was amazing. Another blessing from the mountain and our opportunity to be here.

 

 

Trying not to feel lost...

It has been almost a month now since our full time live-in Pembantu has moved in with us. Again, Pembantu is a nanny/maid.
WOW! That is all I can say! Wow, as in, fabulous, uncomfortable, awesome and what a learning curve! It's been an interesting but uneventful transition so far. Getting to know each other, how we function as a family and how she will fit into all that -- we're still getting it all figured out.  She is so sweet and kind. Probably more so than any other person I have ever met.
One of the biggest challenges is how much she wants to interact with the kids, especially Mason but they just aren't warmed up quite yet. I understand she really is a stranger. She speaks very little English and I know it'll take time but it breaks my heart -- rejection sucks especially from a kid! Nonetheless, it is truly beautiful to see her hug them and wish them good morning, every morning!
The best part so far is the time I have been able to spend with Mike, Hannah and Mason. I am lucky that I don't get to say to the kids anymore "one minute. I will play with you after I load the dishwasher". Someone might say that, that is benign and stupid but it is so important to our connection and their development.
She cooks on the nights I teach yoga and walks the kids to and from school on Wednesdays so that I can focus the entire day on my school work. I am in awe of how much my stress level has gone down and I never have to ask her or mention anything as she is already there two steps ahead. She has had to scold me (not really scold) but nicely remind me that she does the dishes not me and she really, really means it. I am pretty sure it frustrates her. I am just trying to help. Oh, the learning curve!
She is FABULOUS!  
The ultimate and biggest challenge is the internal struggle of trying not to feel lost. What is my purpose and direction in life? It has already been a struggle not being able to work (which is an ailment I think I am close to being healed from) but giving up the domestic duties that were a part of my "job description" (my contribution) has been hard. It's not my personality to not participate or not help out, particularly when it comes to my family but I have to keep reminding myself that there are so many benefits (none of them physically tangible) but the payoffs are and will be worth it.
There will never be a situation like this where I can walk my kids to and from school, help out in their classrooms, teach yoga, peacefully make dinner, work on finishing my degree and all the while employ a very special person who loves us, keeps me sane and, most importantly, gets to keep her own kids on track to going to University.    
All a blessing! And I only forgot to shut the bathroom door once so far (pretty sure it won't happen again). :)

As always to be continued....