Family Far, Far Away

THE VUDHIVADHANA FAMILY

Thailand is such a beautiful country with scenery so breathtaking that at times I couldn't even believe what I was seeing was real.  We traveled north to the jungles and mountains and south to the islands and beaches.  We kept very busy and had lots of fun. 

 It really was a trip of a lifetime, but the best part was meeting our extended family.  By the end of our trip, we had fully satisfied our tourist and sightseeing desires.  The hard part was saying goodbye to our family.  In many cases this was our first meeting and to have to say goodbye so soon knowing that the next time we would see them would most likely be measured in years rather days or months was tough. 

Thailand is called "The Land of Smiles" and it certainly is true.  The Thai people are so happy and friendly including our family.  My dad is one of nine children in his immediate family.  He also has many half brothers and sisters as his father had more than one wife.  So we have a lot of family members in Thailand.  And it was such a blessing to get to meet so many of them.  We were so graciously welcomed and treated to their generous Thai hospitality.  We literally were spoiled by all our aunts and uncles who traveled all over the country with us, took us sightseeing, kept us well fed, gave us beds to sleep in, and showered us with gifts.  If we learned anything, it was that family bonds transcend distance, culture and time.  I'm so grateful for the wonderful memories and precious time that we were able to spend together.

Dim sum with Grandma Mani

Aunt Dang, Grandma, & Aunt Poa

Paige and Aunt Dang

Paige and Aunt Poa at Siam Niramit

Pongthornphurt and Smith Families

Uncle Mao and Paige on river boat

guitar lesson from Marti

Cooking coconut pancakes with Aunt Eat-K and Uncle Moo

 

Uncle Moo bravely holding on for dear life on the hot air balloon

In the cave with our Aunties

Dave with Uncle Poke and Uncle Manut

Playing Wii with the cousins

Aunt Poa, Mim, Marti and ice cream

Ashley and Aunt Eat-K

Mancala with Mim

Grandpa, Smith Family, Aunt Eat-K, Aunt Archeree, and Aunt Eat-Leyt

Can't wait to host them in Chicago!

One more thing...speaking of family, I have to give a shout out to Aunt Poa.  We stayed at her house with her family most of our trip and we are so grateful for their kind hospitality.  My girls really loved her family and being at her home.  Aunt Poa is a sweet and nurturing spirit who is full of patience and kindness.  I really admire her.  She also happens to be an amazing driver who dazzled me time and time again with her parking skills.  There are millions of people and cars in Thailand, the roads are clogged with cars and motorcycles, traffic is horrible and the concept of "staying in your own lane" does not exist.  Add to this that Thais drive on the left side of the road and it pretty much makes it impossible for someone like me to ever imagine driving in Bangkok.  The most frightening aspect however is parking in the mall garages.  Everyone double parks and just leaves their car in neutral so that if a double parked car is blocking yours, you just push it out of the way so you can get out!  In addition, because of the tight spaces and trouble getting out, everyone reverses into parking spaces.  This is where Aunt Poa beccame a superstar in my mind.  I watched (okay I didn't actually watch because I had to close my eyes it was so scarily tight) Aunt Poa back into the tighest, most small parking space I have ever seen.  There was literally less than inch on all sides.  I was pretty convinced there was no way she could do it, especially in reverese, but she did and it was amazing!