Hello from Thailand!! As many know, Karen and I are here for SRS surgery on Saturday. I thought I would post in the open forum a journal of our adventures. You all know how I feel about "Sharing and Caring!!''
We are conserving our purchased internet minutes, so , sorry if for 3 weeks I don't answer all your replies ahead, but I will be sure to read them all!! Thanks for being such a wonderful family!!
Day 1 Travel day+
Whew!! Here we are, halfway around the world in Bankok, Thailand. I think I can understand why many people don’t like being away from home, it’s the smells. They are so different, continually reminding me that I’m in an entirely different environment. OR is it so different? HMMM, something to ponder.
We left Chicago, Monday 45 minutes late, but landed in Tokoyo 4 min early. This cut our flight time to only 12 hours, a wonderful thing. I’ve flown domestic short flights, never so long. I didn’t realize I could spend that much time with someone in my lap and on my back,lol, the whole time!! They certainly don’t waste any space on those flights!! I couldn’t get comfy to sleep, so read and watched movies. Karen got some short sleep, her cold was still bothering her some, but she was a trouper, keeping her mouth shut when grumpy. I have learned to pick up on those moods better, and when to just stuff it, so to speak.
When we got to Tokoyo, we had to drag everything back out to go throught the scanners again, even though we barely left our international arrival area. That was a lot of work, after no sleep. My body was having a tough time responding to my brains messages, or, as I like to say, Spaghetti Limbs!! But we managed.
Purchasing water at the closest airport shop, I ran into a student who was on our flight and seated across the aisle. I started to talk with him, to find out he was going on to Korea, but was going to school at SIU, Carbondale, Flight School, no less. The same flight school I went to about 22 years ago!! What a small world it can be in Japan!!
This was the toughest time, 2 hours to wait, Karen was so tired and couldn’t think and nowhere to rest comfortably. When we got onto the plane, we had another half hour wait on the tarmac, could’ve been worse. This flight to Bankok was 5.5 hours, and was tough. This is past my normal 4 am bedtime!!By now, I was so tired, but couldn’t get comfy to sleep. I felt like I would pass out until my heavy head fell forward and strained my neck muscles, bringing me back to conciousness with the pain. After a dozen times or so, I wasn’t sleepy anymore and could function again.
It was Karen’s turn to bring me back to my “happy place” as the confines of my tiny purchased space began to work on my generous nature.
Finally, we made it!! We’re in Thailand!! Yeah!! We are in the last row of the plane, so we rest until the aisles are clear. When we exit the plane, it’s to stairs directly down onto the tarmac, geez, I’m thinking United Airlines must not have much clout here!! Busses take us to the airport, Wow, it’s big and concrete and lots of guards at the entrance to greet us. Reminds me of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, except they don’t have oozies, thank goodness. We follow the pack past duty free shops in the middle of great halls(thanks for the BVLGARIA perfume spritz, covers the major sweaty stinkies).
Passport control, oh boy, it’s just like grocery store roulette, are we going to be lucky and pick the fastest moving line?! Bingo, despite appearances, our lane finished 3 ahead of the ones next to us!! What seemed like an eternity, but was only about 20 minutes, and we have our luggage, which had been taking on ride on the baggage carousel and we are heading for exits and the little man standing behind the counter waves us on!! Whew, no more delays!! So happy. The driver sent by Dr. Chetts office is waiting with a sign with Karen Jameson on it, just like in the movies! Wish I had enough energy to dig out the camera, as if I could remember which bag it’s in, HA!!
Ok, not knowing how long our car ride to the hotel is, I am trying to tell the driver I need to use the toilets before we leave the airport. HMM, should’ve listened to Mae and made some cards, lol. AWW, I spot an airport directory sign in both languages, and point to the toilet sign. Whew, no problem.
We are treated like royality, doors held open, the hotel clerk knows who we are and has the papers ready for us, a maid takes our luggage and takes us to the room with smiles and urgency. It would be nice to find this kind of service and respect on our last stay in Chicago, lol!!
Karen is over the moon!! She’s so excited. I think it’s catching, as I take a long hot shower, I have trouble sleeping on my twin bed, is it “The Dick Van Dyke Show”?? LOL
I’ll post about todays acivities later, time for a break. We had a great day,however.
Keep the love and the candles burning!! We can feel the love over here!!
KRAZYKAT [/SIZE]
So great that they are there!!
...cant wait to hear more...love to you both 
and cuddles
that I am !!!
Thanx for the update, it's great to hear from you. You two will be in our thoughts and prayers.xoxo Tammi
