|
Post by gwampa69 on Jan 20, 2016 0:41:31 GMT -5
Hey everyone! Greetings from afar! Thailand is really incredible. The people are quite welcoming and friendly. So far I have ridden an elephant and bathed in a river with one, hiked to a waterfall, visited World War II memorials in Khanchanaburi province (Hellfire Pass and The Bridge over River Kwai), and visited the famous (and extremely crowded, sweaty and loud) Chatuchak weekend market. Today I am going to the royal palace. My head is spinning from the activity and experiences (which is hands down more enjoyable than a spinning head from other things that shall remain nameless). The food. Wow. This trip represents so much to me. It's all I had hope for and more.
I hope this message finds you well and strong.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2016 18:44:29 GMT -5
Hey Brett, I've heard Thailand is 'the country of smiles'. I'd love to ride an elephant! Wow! There was a show here on TV called "What really happens in Thailand". It showed a lot about Phuket. Is that where you are? Anyway I'm so happy for you that you're having such a great time.
|
|
|
Post by Sam on Jan 20, 2016 19:45:20 GMT -5
"It showed a lot about Phuket". I am surprised the word wasn't censored!
|
|
|
Post by gwampa69 on Jan 21, 2016 3:34:49 GMT -5
Hey Brett, I've heard Thailand is 'the country of smiles'. I'd love to ride an elephant! Wow! There was a show here on TV called "What really happens in Thailand". It showed a lot about Phuket. Is that where you are? Anyway I'm so happy for you that you're having such a great time. Hey Kim Thanks for saying that. I am having a blast which includes some time to sit and reflect about where I have been and where I am going. You're right, it is called the Land of Smiles and that's quite true. For a very busy, even wildly hectic place, I have noticed that people are quite ready with a smile. It's very nice. I'm in Bangkok for my "base of operations". Phuket is an island in the south that is known for tourism and beautiful beaches. My friends family lives there. I won't have time to visit Phuket on this trip. Next time I'm sure. I'll email you some photos from this adventure. So far that's exactly what it's been. An adventure.
|
|
|
Post by gwampa69 on Jan 21, 2016 3:39:20 GMT -5
"It showed a lot about Phuket". I am surprised the word wasn't censored! Thanks for the laugh Sam. Looks like we found a way around the censorship! The next time I decide to do something crazy like fly halfway around the world alone, I'm going to try that out. Sometimes ya gotta just say "Phuket" and go for it.
|
|
|
Post by Sam on Jan 21, 2016 8:33:22 GMT -5
Hey Brett, I am glad you decided to take a trip overseas, there is nothing like world traveling for me, you learn so much about people and other cultures. Thailand is a fascinating country, I haven't been there but know many that have, enjoy the food it's among the best. I thought I read that you were going to visit Japan also, did you or is that next. Write about that when you have a chance. Enjoy every moment of your travel Brett, and yep, sometimes we've got to say phuket and go for it, I do that all the time Have fun, Sam
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2016 17:57:18 GMT -5
Hey Sam and Brett, Sam, you always give me a laugh. I didn't see the pun when I wrote that word Phuket lol. I can't wait to see the photos from your trip Brett. Email me when you have time.
|
|
|
Post by achilles1957 on Jan 27, 2016 18:52:44 GMT -5
Hey Brett, What's new is your world ... where is your world these days ? would be a more appropriate question. Life is as it should be for me right now, spending a lot of time in the air conditioning gives me an excuse to read and relax.
Hope you're travelling well,
awaiting a story or two,
Take care
Jenn
|
|
|
Post by gwampa69 on Jan 28, 2016 6:54:05 GMT -5
Hey there Jenn I am back home in Michigan. I returned to work Tuesday and have been busy trying to catch up on work. It's always difficult to take time off work because of the rush to get things done before the holiday and then the rush to catch up when it's over. Oh well, such is life right?
I'm very thankful to have been able to take a trip like that. It was an eye opener for me. We take an awful lot for granted in our daily lives where i come from. A place like Thailand reminds me of just how difficult life can be. In many cases, what I saw was a constant struggle to survive. Mostly just people trying to get enough to eat. There was also plenty of people doing just fine but the street vendors and people in the countryside really put things in perspective for me.
More later on this topic. Thanks for checking in with me. Hope you are well.
|
|
|
Post by blueskye on Feb 21, 2016 12:07:12 GMT -5
Hey there Jenn I am back home in Michigan. I returned to work Tuesday and have been busy trying to catch up on work. It's always difficult to take time off work because of the rush to get things done before the holiday and then the rush to catch up when it's over. Oh well, such is life right? I'm very thankful to have been able to take a trip like that. It was an eye opener for me. We take an awful lot for granted in our daily lives where i come from. A place like Thailand reminds me of just how difficult life can be. In many cases, what I saw was a constant struggle to survive. Mostly just people trying to get enough to eat. There was also plenty of people doing just fine but the street vendors and people in the countryside really put things in perspective for me. More later on this topic. Thanks for checking in with me. Hope you are well. Brett, I'm so glad you got to experience Thailand. I've stayed in Bangkok many times when I was a flight attendant, but didn't travel out of the city. Oh, yes, I think I did to visit some temple or another, but was with my fellow drunky trolley dollies so I don't remember much of it. Foreign, exotic travel feeds my soul. There are a million parts to my drinking attitude, but one of them was nostalgia. I drank with a feeling of nostalgia for the good ol' days. Traveling was those days for me. But I know this is a false notion. There is no truth in it whatsoever as an excuse to drink. So I've put that one to bed. I would love to see photos of your trip. Did you go alone? Traveling alone is great because I find I meet so many people. I went to Bali by myself years ago and connected with so many of the locals. I went to yoga classes and had people inviting me for coffee, taking me to AA meetings, showing me the sites. None of that would have happened if I were traveling with family or friends. I used to sit in cafes or restaurants with a stack of postcards and a book while I enjoyed eating. So good to hear about your wonderful trip!
|
|
|
Post by gwampa69 on Feb 23, 2016 11:16:02 GMT -5
Hey there Blue, Yes this trip was quite an adventure. It was a bit of a promise that I made to myself. It was supposed to happen after two years of sobriety but after ~19 months clean, I figured why not do it now? I'm so glad I did. I made the trip all by my lonesome but have a friend over there that I visited with. We had a great time and she showed me all around BKK and the surrounding countryside. I never would have/could have or even considered taking a trip like this during my drinking days. It goes to show just how much my self confidence was eroded by years of alcohol abuse. The bright side is it also shows how quickly redemption can occur in the absence of booze.
I will email you some of the choice photos. Knowing what I know about you and animals, I'm not sure you want to see me riding an elephant. But I did. I did some research and found one of the more reputable locations (an elephant sanctuary) in a far flung place in Khanchanaburi Province. The "residents" seemed very well cared for however, I'm sure they would have been happier roaming free. Anyways, it was an awesome experience and one I won't forget.
Glad to see you around a bit.
|
|
|
Post by blueskye on Feb 23, 2016 15:46:31 GMT -5
Elephants are one of my favourite animals. I rode one in Sri Lanka at an elephant orphanage.
Yes, t'is true, our self confidence takes a beating when we're drinking. For me, it's because I know I'm running on empty. I'm not able to give 100% and I worry that others will notice.
I'll check my email. Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by gwampa69 on Feb 28, 2016 18:59:17 GMT -5
Hey Blue Check your email when you get a sec.
|
|
|
Post by gwampa69 on Mar 4, 2016 18:42:46 GMT -5
My job has been a real b itch lately. It's been a really really really long time since I felt stressed to the point of thinkin about drinkin. I was sitting at my desk with about 5 separate fires smoldering away. I was getting overwhelmed. Actually it's been fairly non stop this way since I returned from my trip. Lots of days when I haven't left the office until well after 7 pm. Today it kind of all hit me. And then the thought happened. It surprised me a lot since it hasn't happened in probably over a year.
This is what I did. I stopped what I was doing and considered where the thought came from. I thought about how I had been feeling. I focused my attention on the job pressure thing. Everything else in life has been pretty darn good except that one area. Unfortunately it's a big part of my life like most people. I acknowledged that since I won't be getting any surprise checks in the mail any time soon, I will have to keep on working and figure out a way to beat the stress so it doesn't beat me. After walking away from my office for a while, it also occurred to me once again that dealing with stress from the inside out always beats the other way in. No substance can relieve stress. Not really. It has to come from somewhere inside. Then the moment was over. Now I'm good again. Nothing can make me pick up a drink. Especially my job.
I hope you are feeling well and strong.
|
|
|
Post by Pam on Mar 4, 2016 19:25:50 GMT -5
Glad you were able to refocus and get through the thought.
Pam
|
|