Part 2 / The Massage

Part 2 of Sunday

Typically Walter is not a impulsive kind of guy.  He made an exception this day. We had just finished with riding the elephants and were having a much needed lunch, as well as a much needed talk, remember my kids did not say much during our morning elephant ride.  After expressing our amazement over the morning I decided we needed a little relaxation. Walter was thinking pool and a little email. Though when is Walter not thinking of email these days. I had a completely different thought, Thai massage. 

Here in Thailand there are many Thai foot massage places. Yes one may think Thai girls with happy endings. That is NOT what I was thinking. Not all Thai foot massage parlors are that either. One particular place had caught my eye when we were here back in April. It is right around the corner from our hotel and seems very professional. It reminds me of the numerous nail salons in the states. It has large windows so you can see entirely in the store. The difference is that the chairs are lined up right in front of the windows so that the entire public can see what is going on. Somehow this gives me a sense of safety. Weird I know but come here and you will understand. 

Erin and I have wanted to do this since our first visit.  We tried in April but the wait was to long and we were short in baht. This was on our list of things to do once we returned. I thought it would be really fun if we did it as a family. I always know that Walter really loves me when he follows along in one of my crazy ideas. He was not to keen on having someone touch his feet. We were only going for a foot massage, come on. Family peer pressure got the better of him when all the kids agreed that this is what we were going to do, he is also not one to miss out. 

Taking off your shoes is customary here for entering most places, this was no exception. The 6 of us enter this store to be greeted by all these ladies. We as a party of 6 with our distinct difference in our nationality is a show in itself and Walter is like Godzilla in this country so he gets lots of respect whether he likes it or not.  His feet are no exception either as the ladies liked to point out. With very little English they do know BIG FEET. The ladies lead us to these sinks on the floor to wash our feet then lead us to the chairs for the entire public to watch. This place is very professional. It smells amazing like a mixture of menthol and jasmine  Right now I feel like I'm describing a cartoon but it wasn't like that, though we all giggled like school girls. For a complete hour our feet were rubbed and not the kind our grandmothers did where it was to the point of tickling. I'm talking hard pressure almost hurts but feels so good foot massage. For 50 minutes they rubbed our feet and legs. We were lined up next to each other. It was like a well choreographed line dance the way these ladies moved. They dug their elbows into our legs, they popped our toe joints. It was amazing. The last 10 minutes was dedicated to our back and head. What an amazing massage. Erin and my boys were in heaven. I've never seen them so quiet and content for an hour. Even Walter relaxed and I think secretly enjoyed it.

These ladies were amazed that I was the mother of all these kids, sometimes I am too :). The only thing strange was the women kept touching me. Not in an inappropriate way just grabbing my arms and forearms. It was strange and I have no explanation. 

At the end we were given tea and led outside to collect our shoes. It was definitely a memorable moment. One that Jack would like to repeat daily as he has so obnoxiously reminded me of since. 

I definitely can say that this experience will be repeated, when? Maybe Wednesday. ;). 

Getting our feet washed

So relaxing

Big Papas BIG FEET

Loving life right now

Cheers 😘 M

New Elms Thai Transportation

I don't think I have enough vocabulary to describe all of today so this is a 2 part series. The first part of the day was a once in a lifetime adventure. The second part of the day I hope to repeat often :). Erin too!  Who am I kidding I think all the Elms will repeat the second half of our day.  Omg!  Is all I can say. Definitely my kids learned why the US is #1 in animal protection and conservation. 

Part 1

Today we called it E day. Something we have talked about doing since we knew we were moving to Thailand, ride Elephants. I am not sure I can do justice with describing the moment but I will do my best. The 6 of us are picked up this morning in a van. We are driven to I really have no idea where but it was not far. Out of the van we walk up to this open looking market with lots of people, no one speaks any English. Following this very tall, skinny militia looking Thai who leads us to where we pay then swiftly leads us basically to the front of the line where we are pushed and shoved (not to rudely where you would want to punch the guy but just enough to get us where we need to go without having to speak to us since no one speaks any English) to where we should get in line to ride an elephant. The 6 of us split up into pairs and board our elephants. First off these animals are huge and so very gentle. My elephant was pregnant. A guide rides on his neck and we ride in a bench on the back. Every step I felt like the bench was going to slide down the side of the elephant and I was going to be hanging onto the side of the animal with Walter atop of me but it never happened, basically a very uneasy feeling.  Jack is not speechless often and this was one case where he didn't say a word but his eyes said it all, a bit scared, excited and overwhelmed. 

We rode for about an hour. All through what felt like the jungle but I know it wasn't because we rode past 2 roads, a development where they are building houses and who knows what.  My kids did not say much. We had some guy come out of his hut and try to tell us/sell us something, who knows what.  Walter and I had the sales man guide. He was hilarious and knew very basic English and I use the word basic loosely. He knew America #1, big papa (which is what he called Walter) and big baht tip. Baht being the word for dollar.  Oh and iPhone which he took mine and continued to take about 40 pictures of us and the kids also I believe he called his mother and posted on FB about the stupid Americans riding his elephant.  Lol   He was a very animated guy who had a routine and I'm sure thats why they put Walter and I with him.  Remember big baht tip, hence the word tip, as part of his vocab. 

As we were getting off the elephant we became part of the show and all these people started taking our pictures. I would like to believe it is because of our rare beauty and grace but unfortunately I know better. I believe it was because of our very white skin our so different eyes, and the way we speak. Several people were taking our pictures. So very strange and really not much you could do.  This place was a zoo and I don't mean this literally, though it had crocodiles, a tiger, which sadly I believe was very drugged, cock fights and a gun range. Doesn't every animal park have a gun range?  Let me tell you this was an adventure a very strange adventure I might add and we all agreed it wasn't one we need to repeat but we were all glad we did it. 

I think it took until we were back in our van heading home that my kids spoke, and we all know that that is a shock in itself. 

Fun fact for the day:  Elephants are pregnant for 2 years.  I would not have made a good elephant. 

This is what we rode through

This is supposedly the guides house but who knows. He could have told us anything and we would believed him. Remember TIP was part of his vocab. Though people did live in these. 

Us on our elephants. My elephant couldn't be near Erin and Andrews elephant because supposedly they partook in Thai boxing, which means they didn't get along

Big Papa!!!

Yep those are crocodiles.  They had in a nicer home than some of the people.

I have no idea of the purpose of the bag hanging over the table but thought it was very odd and needed to take a picture of it. 

For those curious, the elephants were Asian elephants.  Maybe us living in Thailand might be a clue about that too.  How you can tell the difference between Asian and African is in the ears. Asian elephants have smaller ears. 

Cheers

M

Part 2 tomorrow

Hospitals

Registered at the hospital today. It is a necessary thing to do when living here. I guess it guarantees that you will be treated if you are registered. Also will help you get a doctor that speaks the same language as us. The hospital was like a first class hotel. Everything was beautiful and soooo clean. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the atrium, all marble flooring. Giant vases with flowers were on each floor. My kids were enamored by the carts with fresh water on them. They each must have drank 3 cups of water. The cups looked like clear yogurt cups with a cellophane top that you popped a straw into. These carts were on every floor for anyone to take. Not something we would see in the states. All signs were in English and Thai. It looked like they had waiting rooms for many different nationalities. Turns out you go to the hospital for everything not just emergencies. Sorry no pictures. I just wasn't sure how that would go over. Just trying to show a little respect now and again. 😜

With the Erin's health lately I was glad to have registered as soon as we got here. Who knows when I will have to take her.  Hopefully later rather than sooner.  Now lets just hope I can drive her there.  Driving lessons start next week for me. 

We checked in on the house we are renting. It had been cleaned but I think the geckos thought it was for them. Fresh poop was on the window sill. Im not afraid of them I'm sure Sparky will show them who is  boss. Just hope they don't become part of her diet like the flies are in MI. 

I'm a little concerned with the washer/dryer. Yes it is a combo unit, never seen that before, it washes and dries. This thing is sooooo small. Of course, this is something I should have complained about BEFORE we rented the house as I was so gently reminded by Walter. Looks like we may be buying our own washer. 

Kids were excited about their rooms. Jack was just happy to have a really big bed. I am really interested in how much that boy is going to really sleep in it and not on Andrews floor. He is not one for sleeping by himself often. He always ends up on someone's floor. 

Our air shipment shipped. I'm hoping we get it August 1 which is when Sparky shows up. Not sure how she will feel being in the house by herself.  Guess we will figure that out next week. ☺ 

Cheers

M

View from our hotel room

The Roller Coaster

The anticipation of riding a roller coaster is like nothing else for some. You may have thought about it for days or have planned for months. Once at the park you quickly get to the ride then stand in line sometimes for hours. All with excitement and the thrill of being thrown into the unknown. The final moment arrives and finally the time has come to get on. Whatever type of safety harness straps you in and then in the final moments before takeoff about to be expelled into the air....... Your brain takes over and you want to scream WAIT!!!  With thoughts of changing your mind because reality has become real and now your scared of the what ifs..  

Today was my roller coaster ride. I got on the airplane and doubts started creeping into my head being scared of the what ifs. Of course it was to late but those feelings were very real. Being a somewhat rational person I didn't succumb to my fears, plus I would have scared the sh..... out of my kids 😳. Instead I took a deep breath and reminded myself of one of my favorite quotes. 

"Surrender to what is

Let go of what was

Have faith in what will be".       Sonia Ricotti

Let the ride begin!

Welcome to Thailand. 

We are here safe and sound. Even the driver or 2 drivers ( since we had 22 bags) drove without scaring us to death. We are back at the Amari which the kids are psyched about. It is now 4am and jet lag has begun.  We don't move into our house until next week. A week at the Amari I'm not sure I can handle it 😜. The swim up bar is calling my name.   

Cheers 

M

     

Dear Sparky

I am sorry that we have to leave you but Nikki will take really good care of you. You have 1 week to rest up and play with the other dogs. Don't be to scared on your long flight I know it's not easy. Now that you have been picked, poked, stamped and certified you are ready to be a Thai dog. I promise I won't let anyone eat you. We will see you in a week. Be a good dog. I will have a tennis ball for you on the other side. 

August 1 is when you arrive. We will be waiting. 

Miss you Sparky 

Love

Your Family

Michigan Adventures

No time like the present to try to and see as much of Michigan as we can before we jet off on our big adventure.  We have gone and done more things in this last month.  We just got back from Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, the U.P, Mackinaw Island, and Tahquemenon Falls.  Incredible five days of sights.  Who knew MI had so much to offer.  I was able to put my feet in 3 of the Great Lakes.  I would have made my mom proud had she seen me reading all the informational signs and googling stuff.  I know more about the UP than ever.  I actually know what the UP is now.  ;)

Leaving gives you this great need to get everything in.  We have tried to see so much, go places we have never been and spend time with as many of our family and friends as possible.  Wish we were able to see everyone. 

Who knew living in Michigan would produce such great friendships for both our kids and Walter and I.  Sometimes I feel fortunate to have moved so often just because of the friends we have made in so many places.  It is hard to leave but we look forward to the adventure ahead. 

 Overlooking Tahquemenon Falls

 At the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island

 Mackinaw Bridge

Steps to Sleeping Bear Dunes

Lower Tahquemenon Falls

View at Dinner / Lake Michigan

Air, Sea, and Storage

Air,sea, and storage those have been the very important words lately. That is how I classify my stuff right now. Movers are almost finished.  Difficult it has been both pyshically and emotionally. Our house in MI is no longer a home it is just back to being a house, a shell of a place that was filled with lots of fun and laughter . Funny how you can take a place and fill it with your things add some people, lots of friends and family and now you have a home.  I walk through my house now and I can hear in my mind funny conversations, a few yells at the kids (of course Walters not mine ;), family dinners, lots of laughter, and just some great times. The roller coaster has begun. So many emotions. I think I am ready but those emotions can sneak up on you at any moment. You go to the gas station and something doesn't work and all of a sudden your eyes are full of tears and you could ball your head off. You ask why, I have no idea, sometimes it feels like I'm a pot ready to boil over with tears. 

Trying to fit it all in has been the theme for our final weeks. You want to see everyone, talk to everyone and do all the stuff we should have done with our kids since we moved here 3 years ago.  True friends come to the surface through it all. We have had some of the best times here in MI these last couple of weeks. 

Life is about to change drastically but again I like the feeling of testing my character.  Well sometimes, okay it depends on which character of mine I'm testing. ;). 

Lets hope I put enough stuff in my shipment which I know I DID NOT!  I had 1/3 of a container left. Had I had the mental telepathy of knowing this info I would have bought more stuff. Hahahaha  I have never shopped more in the last couple of weeks. I stocked up on stuff that Walter swears they use in Thailand. Really do they use Tide laundry detergent or SAMs toilet paper?  Come on this is important stuff 😉. When moving to another country it's funny how just normal everyday products that you usually don't give a thought about become really really important. To bad they won't let me pack beer then I definitely would have filled the damn container. Oh well, see you on the other side. 

Cheers