Week one

We have all survived our first week. A few thoughts on our time so far.

Then and now. I left Thailand 18 years ago with no desire to return and yet am finding it delightful this time. Traveling with children undoubtedly smooths the way. The sour faced laundry lady became charm personified when I rocked in with the children the next day. When a few hundred people had to get off the train and onto one bus, we found ourselves fast tracked into the VIP section. The only way we could trump this would be to travel with a monk, or impersonating monks. So far from posing difficulties brandishing ones children ,esp. Paddy, the younger the better, makes life easier. Mind you they are very poor at bargaining and if they get 10baht off the price its a done deal.
I am also struck by the industry of the people, everyone is trying to make a living. Perhaps before what I saw as annoying, pestering tuk tuk drivers I now see as people doing their best to get by.

Lets get juxtaposed. Obviously this is a brand new experience for us but by being together it is also utterly familiar, the family dynamic is more powerful than surroundings. Every experience here is both black and white at the same time. We went to the most beautiful temple today and they were showing Thai boxers beating the heads off each other in the waiting area. I found our Bangkok hotel hilarious; women in full burkas along side Thai temporary girlfriends, burkinis and thongs by the pool. I thought we were staying in," fancy hotel area" but in Bangkok nothing exists in isolation. You get the whole lot thrown in together.

We are having a great time. The kids are taking all in their stride, things are so easy so far. I have not felt the slightest danger anywhere. It is hot, hot, hot are we are sweating for Ireland but hoping to acclimatise. So far so good!

Caroline