This is the story of how life can change too fast. From Asian beaches to Irish chemo wards, we document it here.
While Hannah was visiting, we took a long weekend to go to Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh where we ate Bahn Mi and toured the lovely architecture.
Rebecca has 'le hook up' with Anantara, so we went down to check it out and meet a cousin who was golfing there from Australia.
Jess goes on to Penang to get a work visa. Bad food and street harassment ensue!
Part 2 of the Cambodia trip. Jessica and Rebecca go to Siem Reap and cycle around Angkor Wat. There's even a video!
Our first Asian trip outside Thailand was an adventure! We absolutely loved Cambodia and the sweet Khmer people. Rebecca and I spent 2 nights in Phnom Penh and 2 in Siam reap.
We were curious about how Christmasssy Bangkok would be - after all it's a Buddhist country. But the west invades all, and Thai malls are no exception. Most malls on the major BTS lines are festooned in branded Christmas cheer, massive trees, and playing nonstop festive music. Covers, of course.
It cannot be said that Mike did not roll out the red carpet when arrived in Bangkok. It was early in the morning and he took the day off to come and welcome us. After a long and extremely multinational customs line, we were in with no fuss. Mike met us after customs and shuttled us into a rented BMW (with driver of course), the bags taking a while to Tetris into the trunk.
When planning for my move to Thailand, I tried to time it so I would be with Mike by my birthday. We talked about going away somewhere fun and when Alex and Jacky decided to come visit, that sealed it. Blessedly, Rebecca and Mike took on the planning as a surprise and gift for me. Never thought I would get bored of Kayak.com, but it happened.
We initially planned to fly to Bangkok from Copehnagen, but they had flights from Stockholm too so...why not. Also, Victoria invited us to stay with her in Gothenberg. It was the perfect excuse to use the Swedish rail system.
We took the SJ last year to go from Stockholm to Gothenberg and I. Loved.It. First class was affordable. The fast train goes silently through the Swedish countryside, rocking gently around corners.
I heart Scandinavia so much (well, Sweden) so I wanted to see if Denmark was as awesome. We flew into Copenhagen on a quick hop from London and stayed in central Copenhagen. Of course the hotel was chic and minimal and had beautiful multilingual staff.
I like to say I went to London to 'pick Rebecca up', but I really just wanted an excuse to spend more time there. Rebecca has great friends and knows all the great bars. There were a few more stops on my London list. But mostly I ran a lot and tried to get used to the fact that I didn't live in America any more.
A horrible reality of an elongated move like this is that you see how amazing your friends are...then you have to leave them.
Between packing and lifting, places to stay and shoulders to cry on, invitations to dinner and bottles of beer; family and friends provided more support than I ever thought I needed.
When I have visited Ireland in the past, I spent a lot of time visiting family, shopping and visiting old haunts. I hadn't really been a tourist in Ireland so I used this trip as a chance to see some of the country as an adult. I was renting a car for the freedom it afforded, so a road trip made sense. I wanted to see the newly minted 'Wild Atlantic Way', shop for handcrafts and drink Irish craft beer.
Precisely 5 days after moving my stuff into a storage unit and sleepwalking through the work week, I started an open water certification course. I chose my instructor well, the patient and professional Dave Meechan, the husband of a former colleague I'd known for years. Raelyn had been wanting to get certified as well so we lept in together.
