Slums, Nando's and Bangkok

A lot has happened since the list time we chatted. I finally had the opportunity to visit the slums that I will be working in twice a week for the next few months. One slum we need to first figure out how to get in there. There used to be an opening, but it has been sealed with sticks and rope. A murky river runs between us and the slum. When we get back from Bangkok that will be one of my first priorities.

 

 The other slum is across from a school and I met a couple of the children who inhabit that area. Their giggles and smiles catch fire and they have the most beautiful faces. One of the older girls loved my Henna and wanted to hold my hand the whole time. I really wish I could speak their language better and by better I mean I wish I knew more than colors and "What is your name?" I took a picture of them and then got on the ground and drew a stick figure recreation of that picture to learn their names. I think they enjoyed that.

 

I guess everyone appreciated some Monday night football!

The night before we left for Bangkok I spent the night with Kathy and Shannon since we planned on leaving at 5:30am. Ashlyn and I had a slumber party! She wants us to have a slumber party in America because she says they are better over there. I think that a slumber party's fun level depends on the people, but being 8 years old she probably knows more than I do. Anyway, we made cookies and chatted. The power kept going off so the whole family had an intimate candlelit dinner of leftovers. Be jealous.

Everyone walks with umbrellas because they bring the temperature down from 90 degrees to 80.

The trip to the capital was a doozy and I started to get delirious from lack of sleep. Random things made me laugh for an inappropriate amount of time. We ate lunch at a Pizza Hut and I took a nap in the afternoon. This all builds up to when Kathy and Shannon acted like Disney and made my dreams come true. Most of you may know that I am a fan of the boy band One Direction. One of the members, Niall Horan, always talks about the restaurant Nando's and how much he loves it. In fact, I think Nando's gave him a lifetime supply of their food due to his constant promotion. When I found out that a Nando's existed in the capital I told Kathy of my secret dream. Let me tell you, that restaurant lived up to all my hopes and expectations. The food had just the right amount of spice, the meat was oh so tender and juicy and the atmosphere felt hip and urban. I may or may not have tweeted at Niall about my experience. I am still waiting for a reply and for us to fall madly in love.

 My fellow Nando's enthusiast. 

On a more serious note, the night in the capital was a tough one. Oppression and darkness are palpable in this area and a mosque is located next to where we stayed. The call to prayers really bother me especially in the night. If I am already asleep then it is no matter, but if I am awake I have a hard time going back to sleep. Maybe a part of it is the fear that I associate with Islam or maybe it is because I know what is truth and it hurts my heart to hear the lie. Either way I slept very little that night. 

I dozed off on the plane and watched the Tina Fey/Paul Rudd movie Admission. The plane landed before I finished so I hope I can watch it again on the way back. Bangkok is quite lovely. The city is clean and well structured with LOTS of trees. I like that fact. The airport exuded swankness and they had a lot of Buddhist murals and statues which were extremely ornate. The guest house we are in is fantastic! I love my room and bathroom. I could live here forever. It is fun to talk to the different families and learn their stories. The best part is that this is the house that my Aunt and Uncle stayed in to have my cousin Josh. I like to think that the places I am going to they went to as well. It gives me a sense of peace and familiarity to share this place with them.

 A shrine in Bangkok.

These wires look like a hot mess and an explosion waiting to happen!

Tomorrow we start up the school week and do a bit of shopping! After the crazy week we had last week I am thankful for this time of rest and recharging. I also like the exploring. I can now proudly say that my Keds have been to Baltimore, Beijing and Bangkok!

 Found these gems in the ladies room of a Bangkok Mexican restaurant.

 You're welcome.

The getting here part.

Hello friends!

   I am happy to say that not only have I arrived to SE Asia, but I have internet! Woo hoo! Being off the radar for that many days means that this will be a slightly longer blog than will be usual because I have a lot to catch you guys up on. I promise to include lots of pictures.
 
   My adventure started by saying good-bye to my family. That was extremely difficult and I consoled myself by looking at funny cat photos in my terminal. I slept the whole way to DC and then safely nestled myself into my next terminal. The 13 hour plane ride to Dubai gave me plenty of time to think, lose my mind, become brain dead, and pray. I only slept for about 3 hours and I did not watch any movies. I read an entire book and dreamed up a soap opera involving all the flight attendants. They were all quite attractive and sounded as if they came from all over. We had an Australian man, a Canadian man, a British lady, and some ladies from the middle east to name a few. Emirates, the plane I flew on, knows how to do business. I highly recommend them. The food tasted delicious, the service was kind, and we all got goody bags that included socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and those eye cover things.

    

 

                                                                  Lots of leg room!

    In about the 9th hour I started to get cabin fever and nearly went crazy. I doubted my trip, my plans, and my hopes. I wanted the plane to turn around and take me home. I want you to understand that being a social person the fact that I was alone for about 27 hours barely talking to anyone had me low in spirits, but my God is good and He is faithful. He held my hand and let me talk about my fears and doubts without judgement.

  The airport in Dubai exudes swankiness. The stores served the high class and ranged from Armani to Gucci. They also loved perfume and cologne. A constant mist cloaked the airport and at times I felt like I was in a preppy upper crust boys private middle school locker room.  At this point I changed into my Asia get up and found my terminal. Here I felt like a total outsider because I was a minority for my age, gender, and ethnicity. I also got stared at a lot so I found a quiet little terminal with only a friendly African family and sat there until I boarded my final flight.

   I made a friend on this flight. He lives in New York and is going to back home to Asia to visit his sick mother. He was further proof that God is good. I needed a friend by this point! This plane food was jank nasty. My choices included cottage cheese balls or fish in curry sauce. I ate a Fiber One bar.
I made it through customs, collected my luggage, went to a fancy Pizza Hut and then ended the day at the hotel.

   Shannon and I left the hotel at 5:30 am and drove for about 4.5 hours to get to my home for the next 3 months.

 

   Joining up at last with the rest of the Ramsey family blessed me and encouraged me. Since I already have a relationship with them I feel as if I slide in with their family quite nicely. I had wonderful talk with Mrs. Kathy, laughed watching them open their "care-suitcase" from Kelli Naugle and a touch of the Cobb family, and enjoyed have a book  discussion with the kids. We will be reading Lord of the Rings for school! Holla!

 

Rice farm.

   While here I hope to eat at Nandos, drink 7-layer tea, go to a wedding, stop biting my nails and be able to have a small conversation in the native language.

                                                                      My room!

  I also hope to grow in my knowledge and love for scripture and to become a stronger person of prayer.  My curfew is at 6:30 so I will have plenty of time to spend with Jesus and to pray for the people here and the people at home. I want to experience Jesus as I never have before and to abide in Him at a whole new level.

     Ruby the patrol dog. She keeps away danger and scares me slightly. Her home is right outside my window and I fear that someday I will peek outside and she will jump at my face and I will die.

   It is quite easy to get dehydrated here as you are constantly sweating. Therefore, it is so kind of the boys to keep me hydrated and healthy.

Have a wonderful day!
Love,
Melissa