27.08.13

Today we head to Ao Nang beach. We both just laugh as it is just to stunning for words.

We have feasted on coconut waffles, little coconut balls with sugar cane in the middle and a coconut bun that just melted in the mouth. Thankyou coconuts. We have also feasted on mangos for the entire trip, I think I may have withdrawal symptoms when I come home. Thankyou Mangos.

If we had a competition for the money least well spent, it almost went to Sarah for her train ticket going through the washing machine, but was sorted by a few trips to the train and police station. So we think I am the winner having thought it was a really good idea to get a henna tatoo, which resembles something of a birds mess on the side of my leg, a sand scrub commences! Money not well spent!!

That evening I once again meet such wonderful people. I play my first ever beer pong, we make it into the semi finals thanks to Sarah’s good aim. I lost us the game of flip cup, as I find I just can’t flip a cup, the competition was fierce :)!! I am sure I mentioned finding my inner child in an earlier post, well here she is, and she has had a right good giggle. We head off to a reggae bar to end the night.

The only thing with travelling is that some of the meetings are to brief, people you would like to get to know better, come in and out of your life in a flash. Sometimes sparks fly but all you can do is enjoy it in the moment, it keeps you in the moment. I guess for me it has let me know that there are so many people in this world with whom I will connect. I already can’t wait to meet you all, whoever you are, come to my cafe!!

28.08.13

Today is my last day in Krabi, my last day before I begin my journey home. In the morning Sarah and I part ways. So, you just know we had to have one last adventure, one last climb, one last monsoon storm. We head to Wat Tham Sua at Tiger cave, on the top of the mountain you can see in the distance.

First we meet the monkeys.

Today the weather is more like what we have experienced in Chaing Mia. It is so close, so hot. We look up at the mountain, we look at each other and have a brief moment wondering how we have done all our little adventures, how we had the energy? As right now we are tempted to just have a snooze, something to do with relaxing on a beach for two days perhaps! But this is Sarah and Helen, and it is our last day, so up we go.

And up we go……

We contemplate going back down as for some reason (maybe the beer pong) we seem little able to do more tham 100 steps at a time without pausing to sweat and breath. The detox on this trip has been quite a feature!!

But we can’t go down, we can do this, and everyone on the way down encourages those on the way up, it’s worth it they say. Some guy on our way down ask for assurance that there is apple pie at the top, I promise him there is also a cup of tea. Another asks if there is a tiger, he may have read his guide book slightly wrong. We hope he likes huge buddhas or he is heading only for dissapointment!

The top!!

The view is stunning.

But you can so see what’s coming across the mountains….of course, come on monsoon, bring it on!

As I look out across the countryside, I think about my month here, about my very first blog. Where I was then, and where I am now. My first ever blog on this site I could hardly even string a sentence together, single words expressed so many emotions.

I think about the many people I have met, be it for a moment or now for a lifetime to come. How each and everyone, some without even knowing, have played such an impotant part in my life, and I thank them all. I have learnt so much from them, and have hopefully given a little something back in return.

Who knows, maybe some paths will cross again!

I think about the life I am coming home to and the eternal faith that my life experience is giving me. My future is still in many respects unknown, but I don’t wish for it to be any other way, what fun would that be. Even worst case scenarios would in fact be a joy, so how can I possibly go wrong. Surrounded by an army of love and friendship, family and friends.

I sit, legs to the side, hands to my chest, insence lit, I have alot to be thankful for today. I have alot to always be thankful for.

On the way back down as our legs turn to jelly, the adrenaline kicks in. I turn around to see Sarah coming down in what can only be described as a Laurel and Hardy walk. In a broad accent and with her eternal sense of humor, she remarks that it’s a good job she was born with extremely turned out hips, and that I should be thankful that I am so much closer to the ground. My ribs ache, my stomach hurts, as once again I cry with laughter.

So, this will be my last blog from Thailand…….but there will be so many more to come, first the journey home….who knows what might happen!

Thankyou all for being by my side.

Love to you all, always.

xXx

25.08.13

Ha!! You just know we wouldn’t have got to lie on the beach without just a little adventure on the way……

So we arrive in Krabi, first, real coffee!! I have had the really good and the absolute worst coffee on this trip. The lowest point being a dirty cup full of kind of dish like water, as I took a gulp Sarah noticed the bugs decorating the rim of hers, hmmmm chewy. I can forgive that, but freeze dried? Why? It is a crime against coffee and I am not proud to admit quite how much I have drunk over the last few weeks, and more so over the last few days.

Ooh double expresso how I miss you when you’re gone!

Ooh really good cappucino how I miss you even more!

I think it only right that I start to look into places for research for my cafe, only I need to give my community the best tea and coffee……already dreaming of putting my back pack back on.

Ok, returning from my tangent.

Krabi is just wonderful after the busy city, a small peaceful town, and the sun is out. We think we will just go and relax on a local beach, but  spontinaeity hits us and we find ourselves on a boat to Rai Lay beach……..(spelt in numerous different ways depending on what map you look at!)

We head for the South bay, a beautiful walk…..

……but before we know it we find ourselves climbing a rock face, slippy with red mud, whilst hanging on to a rope, in my bare feet, bikini, and now staple wardrobe item, travelling pants (where have these been all my life, they are my perfect pants!) Sarah has some photographic evidence to follow. Half way up we look at each other, really? This is kind of hard, and we can’t see the top, how did we get here? But a man behind me says, ‘do not think, just keep going up’, well what could I say, up we go with a new moto for life!!

The view at the top was spectacular.

And then to the beach, and I promise, hand on heart, from here on in we have, for a while, stopped. Moving only for food and water, to change our ipod tunes, or take a quick dip in the warm ocean, oh yeh, this is what this girl needed before coming home……………

A holy shrine??

That evening we have a feast at the food night market, ravenous we try various puddings to start followed by pad thai.

26.08.13

We were prepared to wake up to monsoon storms, but oh no, it just got better…..

We head to the West coast…..need I say more?

In the evening I headed just for a quick one to the bar here at the hostel. I see my first fire fly (can’t wait to come visit and meet you Sarah’s Mum and Dad, and I hear the fire fly’s are a sight to be seen!)

Why have a quick one when you can end up chattng with wonderful people. Getting up and singing summertime with an amazing guitarist who seemed please to have a moment not accompanying drunken karaoke, just a drunken soul singer instead. Then going to bed a little wobbly, but a very happy, very whole, Helen.

XxX

It’s Monday morning, the sun is beaming down, this is a sheer slice of heaven!

But first how we got here and a little update. I have used more methods of transportation in the last few weeks than in the rest of my life. Now yes, we could have flown easily from Chiang Mai to Krabi, but why would you when for 30 pounds you can have a full experience of a night train and bus, and gain a real concept of quite how far across the country we have travelled? And quite frankly, as I finally start to get used to this woman who keeps looking back at me in the mirror, I think it’s done her the world of good!

23.08.13

Before we even leave we run our last workshop, it is run but Sarah, myself and Deidre at a woman’s prison. This is a first for me and I did not know what to expect, but from the little I do know it is very different to the prisons in the UK. It took a lot to initially hold back the tears as first we walked past a large room where 2 babies, one perhaps only a month old, lay alone on a mat.

The next room we meet the women, 15 at least of whom have babes in arms. The children, born in the prison, are allowed to stay until they are one year old. They then they get taken to families, or to an orphanage. Heart renching, how must these mothers feel, I can only imagine.

We run a workshop making headbands, the women are skill full, and hungry for the art materials. To give them time to enjoy, the volunteers go on baby duty. They are some of the most beautiful babes I have ever seen in my life with doting, caring mums, many imprisoned because life circumstances have left them little choice but to become involved in drug trafficking.

I hold such a cool little dood. Seriously this is the only way to describe him, with his spiky hair and big brown eyes. He is mesmerized by a long piece of green ribbon as I let it blow in the wind, and then enjoys a good chew on the inner plastic reel.

It’s not until today that I have even been able to process this morning. Mixed emotions. The headbands were amazing. With many of the workshops we have run we can’t include photos of the people involved, hence it is just my words or some pictures that I feel fit.

5.30pm we get on our night train to Bangkok. I would like to say we snoozed, woke up, and had a peaceful, relaxing journey, but what fun would that be!!

The bed’s were surprisingly comfortable, I didn’t think I could sweat more than I have been in Chiang Mai, but with no air con and my fan not working you could have used me as a radiator. So off I doozed.

BANG, JUDDER, JUDDER, JUDDER, repeat, followed by various squeals from other female passengers. About to ask if they can turn it down a bit, don’ t they know a girl is sleeping, I have a look……I look right, hmm, our carriage is no longer attached to the other carriage….I look left, hmm neither is that end attached, and hmm If this doesn’t stop I may get whip lash! There was only one thing for it, a warm beer, fig rolls, a banana and a bit of Primal Scream ‘we’re moving on up now, yeh out of the darkness, my life shines, on my life shines one, my life shines on……..” and all I can do is laugh!

Good morning!! My sleep, which has been a little array to say the least over these last few years has been tested to the hilt within this trip…….and I am finding I sleep like a log 🙂

I see an old couple sitting in their battered arm chairs with their feet up, in their lounge, a metal shack, alongside the rail way track. It makes me smile, a heart felt smile, except for the setting it could have been my mum and dad. This country constantly puts your own life in perspective, which is why I think the things that might normally stress you out, just don’t.

We arrive in Bangkok about 12am on Saturday and book the next leg of our journey

24.08.13

We are a little disorientated and have few hours to kill, not really enough time to appreciate this city. We make out way by tuk tuk to the Siam Mall. It is all a little much for me, I don’t like malls at the best of times and this is taking designer to the extreme! The only label I swear by is Birkenstock, and that says it all really doesn’t it!

I do a dash in the other direction, take a deep breath and say, I know I will find you……and sure enough there is a little pink sign, up some stairs, and I find my peace, and of course a cappuccino in a very welcoming cafe! Hehe!

With the mindset of being on a beach, I mentally prepare myself for this city and go and enjoy the little time we have exploring the backstreet lanes and markets and a spicy green mango salad, yum. If I come back I need a plan, as I know there is so much to see here, and will use my ever increasing appreciation of face book, for a help? where do I go?? I say farewell to Mary who now carries on to Cambodia, I haven’t even taken this in yet.

We catch the 7.30 night bus to Krabi expecting one stop on the way.

We snack, we chat, a lot, and then spend the next hour or two trying to find that comfy spot, the one where your back sack suddenly does become a soft fluffy pillow, and where you don’t wake every ten minutes with cramp in a different location of your body, and there it is, ni-nite.

EVERYBODY OFF! EVERYBODY OFF!! Sorry, what who am I? Where am I? and my name is? Off we get. So in the middle of know where we sit for half an hour before changing buses. This happens twice more and each time the bus gets a little less luxurious and a lot more smelly. I find as long as you have snacks, everything is ok, and as Sarah is the queen of snacks we just munched and chuckled our way through.

At our third stop we wait for a couple of hours, in what seems to be a car park with a little shack, it’s pitch black but I knew something was very different. The air felt clear and fresh, I could make out palm trees, stars, It was truly quiet.

I say to Sarah how right at that moment I crave a cheese sandwich with lettuce, cucumber and tomato, and in true Thailand style out comes a lady who sets up a stall with exactly that, you could not make this stuff up, the magic begins again. I have no photographic evidence, I was to busy eating! It suddenly turns light, and I take a look around……not just a car park after all, stunning.

I have felt a sadness since leaving Chiang Mai. But with plenty of travel time to let my brain be still, I realise part of it is that I knew this was a transition from my career as an Art therapist into a new chapter, in which my hope is to open a cafe. A seed that was planted many, many moons ago, that has no reason to any longer be just a dream. I find out when I get home if I can proceed with bying a cafe I have found in Bath.

I have loved talking with Sarah about Art Therapy as she is just at the beggining of this journey, and the volunteer work also reminds me how much I could give in a project such as this, it reminds me of what my life was before it completely changed. I say to Sarah, Art therapy will find a way to tie itself into my life now wont it? ‘It already has’ she replies without an ounce of doubt in her voice. Thing is in my heart I know that too.

We arrive at Krabi at about 10am ish

Having not changed or washed for almost 3 days, I hum gently in the breeze!!! This is my first time in a hostel, but not the last, as it is a comfy bed, roof top bar and oooh such a good shower. 🙂

View from the ‘Pac Up’ hostel in Krabi

We think we will just go and lie on a local beach……..but why do that when we can hop on a boat and go to the highly recommended Rai lay Beach………

To be continued……

(My winning Cafe ‘Thamel’)

So, my last post was Sunday. I have until now managed to do day by day, but this week has felt a little different. It has been very much about ARI, and so feels very whole, rather than mini adventures weaving in and out of it.

The evenings have been about relaxing, with early starts to paint murals, and to do workshops. It has been about doing what I didn’t think I had the capacity to do when I first got here, and giving that bit extra.

Wowzers!!! just to pause a minute that is the sweetest iced coffee in the world, hold on……..that is chocolate coffee, yu-um!!

Do people even ever say wowzer’s anymore? This is my last time in this little internet cafe, where I have become a regular to the point of getting free time!!

20.08.13

On Monday Sarah and I paint a mural for the children’s bedroom wall at Hope Home. Here is a bit of a replica of our ARI blog, but for it in full follow the link below.

http://art-relief.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/funky-new-mural-painting-at-hope-home.html

The wall was bigger than we remembered, blue, blue and more blue….

Up early Tuesday to get it finished.

We painted a bug or animal to represent the 7 childrenThe stars and falling leaves were in memory of BoonrotThe tree of life represents ARI and it’s volunteers

The peacock represents Judy the managerYoot with his owl  Phil with his Gekko

An exhausting but precious day we will never forget, just a little something for Hope Home.

I also ran a sensory workshop for the children this day. The volunteers response to this was just wonderful. As they felt it was inclusive of all the children, and it was quality time with the children to just be, and to relax. Recognizing a response may be the tiniest thing, like a rib cage relaxing, breathing steadying, or even a snooze. The aim to give them time out from what is generally a very overstimulating confusing world.

I haven’t gone on a bear hunt for years, it was great fun to begin by singing this. We then darkened the room, and with the creativity of us all we used torches, colored tissue paper to create colors, shadows and movement. Thanks Simon on behalf of a little boy who loved your head torch. An exploding light bulb and exploding light balloons admittedly wasn’t the best idea. But all the more reason to raise funds to get these children the sensory room they deserve and need. I don’t have a photo, it was to dark!!

How cute is this fellow though 🙂

So many workshops this week, and right now I feel very in the moment as I am saying goodbye to what has been my life for a few weeks, that have felt like a few months, I am admittedly little sad, as part of me could stay.

But this one had us all laughing out loud. I was picked to be the elephant in the play as an opportunity to be big, thanks guys. 🙂

Tahli the lionMary the frogFlattering!!These children, young, so not the longest attention span, watched the play with eagle eyes, as the elephant, to big to have friends in the forest, confronted the lion stealing all the food, made peace, and they all lived happily ever after. Of course! Part of the team.

So, I am going to wonder the streets one last time, for now, I know I will be back. I have said goodbye to people I am not ready to say goodbye to. But life has a funny way doesn’t it, there is so much more to come from this, so maybe it isn’t really goodbye.

There have been ups, over the mountains, but also a few wowzer’s (haha! twice in one blog, had to be done) within this journey. I have been hugged, loved, seen, accepted and touched to the heart by so many people along the way, be it here in Chaing Mai or from 6000 miles away.

So, now to go and bye snacks and beer, as Sarah, Mary and I make our way on the night train to Bangok. There I will say farewell for now to Mary, and Sarah and I will continue on to Krabi. Time to be still again, time to stop…..well with just a few adventures along the way.

xXx

17.08.13

I have always been a little dubious of green drinks, but since Sarah’s spinach and mango smoothie I am converted. Today begins with a green drink  and 30km cycle ride to Huang  Hung Thar lake, I think. The perfect way to recover from the night before!

This is the first thing we have planned that actually happened, as in we made it there without any mini adventures or monsoon storms.

Hairy and Melon have lunch, a slip by Sarah that has stuck!

Finally I have a papaya salad, ‘not hot’ says the lady without question mark, ‘Hot’ say I. For future reference, it’s a really good way to shut me up!!

Much snoozing followed on my part.

Hmmmmm, don’t think I didn’t see you sneaking a photo of the little British lady in the lake!! He chuckles as I play him at his own game.

Thank you Sarah, for this recommendation, what a peaceful day.

and then………………….

Captains Blog, 4pm on the 18th August 2013.

Sarah and Helen meet. Directions, check. Bikes, check. Random warrior type pose whilst saying “go girls” check. Here is a later more dramatic recreation…….

We take no mercy, one way roads can’t stop us, not today. Extra water, snickers for Sarah, Reeces for Helen, check. (Quite excited just to try new chocolate bar when we reach the top). sorry, focus!

We look that mountain right between the eyes, tonight, nothing can stop us!! We are women on a mission!!

Leaving our bikes at the Zoo we walk up the hill. Oh yeh, you heard it right, that nice helpful man at the zoo who told me to go back down, it was the right way!!!!!!!!!

We have since found if you ask anyone if you are going the right way up the mountain they shake their head and say go back down, as why would you not take a car or motor bike??

Then there it is, the entrance to our trek…….we’re going in……………

The walk begins, we’re already feeling the previous days bike ride and our ride to the hill, but no, onwards, upwards. Two and a half hours is bound to be Thai time.

 The peace, quite, and fresh air from a somewhat polluted city, is what we have been craving.

That is except for some noisy bugs, the name I will have to check. They basically live at the bottom of the trees, mate at the top of the trees, make the most piercing noise in the world, the whole forest being their bedroom(I am being polite about this), and then for the males, sorry guys, game over!The monks have tied orange ribbons to mark the way.

Still doing good. Sacred ant hill!!

We stop but only very briefly, applying Deet like suncream,  as the mosquito’s are out in storm.

So glad I didn’t wear my mini skirt to trek up a mountain, as it’s a long way back down!!

At the mid way point we get to this Temple, it is breath taking, and our breath is also taken…. 

We are dripping, and yet if we could we would have felt goose bumps.

We put our feet in the crystal clear waters, and feel our blood and minds cool. We both envisage just staying here, a spiritual world you could get lost in, it feels like Narnia. 

 

 

 

 

This is the last photo for the following hour and a half, out of a total 3 hour trek, no mean feet in the heat. As quite frankly we were too shattered!

About 2 mins later my throat tightened, my nose began streaming. I mumbled, but thankfully didn’t, the words throw and up. We had really come that high, it took a few minutes for my body to adjust to the altitude. There was only one thing for it……chocolate.

We were aware that it was getting dark and still had, as we found out, the steepest but of the climb to come. I couldn’t have wished to do this with a better companion than Sarah, as each time we wilted, we didn’t wilt, we found a new spring in our steps, laughed, and onwards!!

After 3 hours we reached the road, saw a shop, and thought, more chocolate, but instead we ended up sitting on the curb with the best tasting can of beer in the world!

And then, there it was…….

Absolutely hilarious!!!

Ooh tourists, how we have influenced the world’s treasures!!Up the steps we go…..then…..breath taking! There were only a few other people there it was so late. The temple just glowed against the night sky. I do not have the word’s for how it felt, as it is to do with it’s spirituality. The millions of prayers that are held within it’s walls. The thanks that have been given. The faith and hope that has been listened to. We felt like crying but instead had a big hug.

 

Hundreds of these little bells filled the silence with a beautiful hum.

The view across our city. Within which is a little guest house, with a little balcony, that has become to Mary, Sarah and I, our home. Our comfortable, enjoyable, hilarious, honest, sharing, safe nest that is our friendship. Already we are aware it is coming fast upon us the time to say goodbye. We all have so much in front of us, but a part of us likes it just where we are.

Friendship makes life make sense.

xXx

16.08.13

We spend most of the day today at Hope Home. Sarah and Mary had devised a wonderfuI workshop to add color and movement to the house. Painting the blades of the fans, and attaching ribbons to the outer. One of the children face lights up as the fan is turned on and bright pink and purple ribbons stream into the room.

(Part of a mural in the Thamel Cafe, inspiration!!)

Judy asks if ARI would be able to paint a mural on the bedroom wall, Sarah and I just know we can find a way to do this next week, we will make time. I talk more at length with Judy about how Hope Home runs and my potential future connections with them.

Her parents are in the UK fundraising. My next step is to meet with them when I get home. Making sense of my work ethos in not reinventing the wheel but linking together to make networks stronger. Other volunteers are already coming up with ways they can fundraise. Links around the world!

For the staff at Hope Home, knowing other people in the world care, brings them hope and joy, boosting moral, and naturally having a positive knock on effect on the children.

That Evening we go out….this girl needed to dance…..

The rest is history 🙂

xXx

Ps. just to ensure you know I did not have a Mc Donalds, but did end the night with chips and chilli sauce!!

 

15.08.13

One of the young boys with Multiple Sclerosis at Hope Home passed away in the early hours of this morning. He has clearly touched so many hearts in this world. I  feel honored to have met him if only for a few hours, he had a smile to break hearts. Yesterday it was so clear that he wasn’t smiling anymore.

Talking with Judy we both believe that in heaven, the next life, your spirit, your soul, however you wish to interpret it, there is no longer pain, no longer suffering, that all children are painless, able to run around, able to be a child. I hear my mum tell me she loves me and give me hugs more now than I did in the last few years of her life. I don’t think it matters what we believe in, I personally don’t feel it even needs to be debated, all that matters is we believe, even if we believe just in one life, it is our own truth.

Uzma and I ran a workshop that morning, alongside Fred my little mascot. For the children at Starfish Home. A residential home for street children from desperate family situations.

The workshop is very different from my work with children as an Art Therapist. I wondered about how I felt changing hats for this role. But I realise even in my future role at the Cafe (here’s hoping), that hat is never going to come off, it is a part of who I am, and how I give.

Without even knowing what had happened at this point, today I believe this was exactly as it was meant to be, as it was full of life, color, laughter, fun and joy for every single adult and child involved.

Alex ran a workshop (name to add) in the afternoon.

We were working with the concept of surrealism. Without looking we drew each other. A little concerning that I have two heads, but as they say two heads are always better than one!!

To life.

X

Ok, having a lot of blogging I want to catch up on, and the internet cafe only having large beer’s, one of which I have drunk quite quickly, my brain is becoming a little fuzzy, but here goes……..

13.08.13

I just have a few highlights from this day. Sarah Co ran a workshop at Wild Flower Home, a protection programme for Mother’s. Hence no photos of faces. Here are the beautiful constructions they made with pride. The balloons will be burst to leave a hanging web.

That evening we needed some comfort and self care, all missing home a little, ok a lot! I have never had home sickness before, it’s a little crazy but 2 weeks here feels like 2 months. However, I am also filled with joy that have a home to feel sick about, a home full of wonderful friends old and new. A few months ago I didn’t know where my home was anymore!!

I have now learned at the not too late age of 37, what the saying ‘home is where the heart is’ really means. It’s not the walls of a house, but something you carry with you, like a snail. Home is the friends and family that surround you.

Self care takes form in the shape of peanut butter on rivita. Having found the most amazing baker’s and everything you could ever wish you had to eat from your home country, store. The mother of this independent establishment chatted away to us, in Thai, but the language didn’t matter, she could have been my mum! The warmth and love for the three of us (me, Mary and Sarah) was oozing from her. Having payed for our shopping she handed us a bag of cream puffs and put her hand to her heart. Whoever you are beautiful lady, I love you!

14.08.13

We begin the day returning to Hope home. The children’s needs here are at a level of sensory communication, some of the children not even enjoying touch. One of the children is very poorly now.

Each day a different volunteer runs a workshop. Today we used an array of sensory materials. For some feathers in the breeze was enough, for others we heard giggles as toes were tickled. For one just someone being there stroking their hand was enough.

(taken from Wat Umond Temple and meditation centre, it just fitted here)

I met Judy today, originally a nurse from the UK,  who set up and manages Hope Home. I begin to discuss my ideas with her as to how I hope to continue to support the children of Hope home on my return to the UK and beyond. She is an inspiration and I am thrilled to know that the ideas can and will begin to become reality, I feel that they already are.

These children have love, nurture, empathy and great care but minimal resources and facilities. A sensory room would bring stimulation and joy to many of them. There is a space for it just waiting to happen. I know from the tip of my toes, to the fluffy wisps of hair on top of my head, that my Community Arts Cafe to be can be a space where this can begin to be supported via creative and inspiring fund raising.

This home is making sense of how my past now joins my future. They have given so much to me already, just in letting me be a small part of their lives. I can only hope to give a little something back. Watch out creators of bubble tubes and sensory lights. I don’t give up easy, I will write to you until you donate just because you want me to shut up! 🙂

(my walk home after the rain)

By listening to and following the life that is right here in front of me, more is happening within hours than in a day where I think I have one hundred things to do, and on those day’s I know I miss so much.

The Evening.

In saying that the working day here is amazing but also exhausting. It is hot, and every day is so different, an unexpected unknown, exhilarating and exhausting all in one. But when you work with life, it just come with the territory!!

We spend many an evening having a form of debrief, be that a chat, a beer, or both. Enabling us to achieve staying in the moment, giving to each day a fresh. The evenings are vital in our winding down and finding a holiday vibe, which we seem to do in spectacular style.

This evening Sarah and I set off on our bikes to reach the temple. The mountain of which I originally got to the bottom of.

But no kidding, the Gods do not want me to reach that Temple!! This was my third attempt, admittedly second attempt was a bit of a non starter. Fourth attempt Sunday.

This time we begin in the sunshine. Having Cycled through the crazy streets, taking our lives and our lungs into our own hands, we stop at the mountains foot for kiwi sodas and chips (carbs, very important start to this mission). . The sun in shining……..and then…….

Ok, we think, We are not going to let monsoon season stop us………

Half way up and causing full amusement to all the locals, we are invited to take shelter with the local dogs. Even they look at us as if we are a little crazy.

We then continue on our way, convinced it is brightening….hehehe….what were we thinking!!

Then the thunder and lightening begins. Hysterical with laughter, madness hysteria, we are not sure which, it seems to perfect moment for Sarah to pause for snickers bar.

It wasn’t just the thunder and lightening, or that the road that was becoming a small stream behind us. Or that it would soon be night fall, or that everyone we asked for directions either shook there head or pointed a different way. Or that the rain actually stung our skin, and the movement of my legs was now constricted due to the wetness of my trousers. Or even that we may as well now enter a wet t-shirt competition and no temple would even let us past the first tree!

The final moment of defeat was the steam coming off the rubber of my shoe as I used it to replace my now failing breaks.

So, as we admitted defeat, still triumphant at having got half way, we turn a bend and see this view across Chaing Mai and into the mountains, stunning. Ever the optimists, it feels worth it just for the laughter and the view!.

Doi Suthep, I will find you, just not today!!

The Evening

The streets here change by day and night, you often think you know where you are going, only be left completely disorientated. Stores and shops appear and disappear as if by magic. Then, in true Chaing Mai style, the back street market of stunning tribal products that we have searched for, we find. So with bike baskets now full of gifts and beers, we return home.

I said I was going to be honest, so, whilst I could tell you about all the amazing curries and pad Thai noodles I eat, you know all that stuffs great already right?

So, the truth and the joy of traveling is sometimes you just don’t care for tradition, you just take what comes as it comes. Tonight, banana and jam sandwiches and chocolate cereal…….it tasted soooooo good!!

I chuckle a little at myself as I write this. I love that I am only gradually making my way up this mountain. Step by step, piece by piece, as whatever I go on to do on my return, whatever shape my hopes take, this is how I aim to continue. Many ideas, but for everything there is time, a life time. The more I am still, the more I listen, the more I see.

x

12.08.13

Once the monsoon storm has passed and with this being my retreat weekend, I begin today at the ‘Blue Diamond Cafe’. A vegetarian breakfast bar. Hill Tribe Coffee coming your way Simon Knee, yum!

I then cycle to Wat Umong Temple and Meditation Center. Today is Mother’s day in Thailand, in honor of the highly respected Queen Mother.

Today I sit within a tunnel, my feet pointing to the side, my hands to my heart, incense is lit and a light burns. I think of all you mums out there, what amazing and precious job that you do. I think of all of you for whom motherhood is tough right now for varying reasons, as well as all of the joy it brings. I think of all of us mums who hope to be. Of the older mother’s who seem to have crossed my path these last 8 months as if destined to give me wisdom and advice…..or cream puffs from the heart (tomorrows blog).

I think of Joan Mary Goodman, and thank her for dreaming of a little babe she called Helen. As I sit in a little hut on stilts, my feet bare and muddy, (as now is my behind), I realise I no longer feel the need to do a silent retreat, that I can make my own silent retreat, that my brain is learning to be still again all on its own.

I have just included some pictures, I hope you can feel the peace, the cool, the serenity. Today was my quiet day. Ssssshhhhhh!

  

Mum’s, you are amazing!

XxX

 

10.08.13

I do indeed find my own retreat this weekend, combined with some very important research!

Once the monsoon rain has passed. I make my way to ‘The meeting Room’ a few doors down. I meet Clause, who runs the paper shop down the road, anyone who gives me cake is an instant friend! I chat with the manager Joe and his wife about their setting up and running this gorgeous Arts Cafe, filled with the work of local young artists. Working like a dance around each other, they make their food with passion and love and you can taste it!

As I listen and learn, they like everyone give me the real truth, of the highs and lows of this work.Everyone to date has said the same thing from their heart. That if you have the passion, the hope, the drive to commit to and be true to your own values and ethos within what you do and create, then it is worth every moment. The joy it brings to yourself and those you meet (well except those whose cucumber you have put the wrong way up on their plate) gets you through the days when you are dropping on your feet or it has cost you more to be open than closed . I am here for 5, yes 5 hours, reading, relaxing, stopping, it was wonderful.

I hope you like the random stand in photos until I can upload the serious cappuccino evidence from my phone!! 🙂

11.08.13 More research…….

We venture out on the bikes on this amazingly sunny day. Stopping at ‘Love at first Bite’. I could become a cafe cappuccino critic, it is all about the coffee, but I have to say the little touches put a good coffee quite high up on the list.

Photo to follow…….and no photos of cockerels left.

Oh but hold on ……

Yu-um!!

We continued to the ruins of the ancient city, Waing Kum Kam. Everything here is so much closer than anyone describes. Like Thai time, everything is basically less than half the speed of my usual time. I often walk straight past things, as a 20min walk is 5 mins for me, even with my little pins!

Anyway, having gone too far, and so turning back, we find this serene and green, peaceful city.

Chaing Mai City can get a little intense, so the appreciation of such time is amplified……Just a few pics! (oh yeh, there are so many more, the joy of digital photography!)

  

 xXx