A Quick Trip to the USA

This was my first trip back to the USA since leaving in April for island life in Thailand. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I kept overly busy. My calendar was booked solid with bank appointments, tax talks, immigration, family visits and friend events. I experienced a big heart felt tug of familiarity and love yet watched my return also play with my anxiety of obligations and expectations.

I was reminded of the fear driven energies commonly found in American culture. Fear of enough money, fear of having enough time to do all that needs done in a day, fear of what others think, fear of losing their jobs, fear of success, fear of confrontation, fear of safety and fear of what the future brings.

I told Julie upon my arrival, when she drove me from the Chicago airport to the megabus station, that I wish I didn’t understand the voices around me. It was putting me in an agitated state. I prefer being able to tune out others like music in the background. Don’t get me wrong I love people. And sincerely LOVE engaging with intimate conversations in attempts to understand the world around me and my own personal growth. But it was tough. No longer being in my secluded self controlled bubble.

Justin , as always, challenged me with thoughts of why environment has such an effect on my personal peace. How could one control and sustain your own peace within. I am deep in figuring this one out and even when in Shanghai noticed the different energies of that culture and my behavior accordingly. They say awareness is the first step right?

This photo captures me in such a natural expression wearing my new diamond heart shape necklace. A shimmering gift from my love welcoming me home.

A reminder of what we need to all remember no matter where we are at.

Staring out the window on the bus ride home, this image of the flat lands really resonated with me.

Loved sitting out in the sun sipping on a beer with Cincinnati’s west side city view.

Love this image capturing one of the calm moments in my week.

The joy of revisiting this establishment with my Zoe professionally managing the very busy crowd that followed me in. I sat and ate two sundaes just to get some time in with her.

I-75 view so familiar from all my trips to Findlay. Now travelling to visit with my Sedona!

With the sight of the sugar towers you know you reached my hometown.

A blinding capture trying to make our way through the city.

This car is a classic at festivals. Only in America right?

The belly dancers continued to bring joy at the bi -annual Yellow Springs street fair.

This coconut shaved pineapple martini was instant happiness. I do miss the craft beers and cocktails!

Was a very quick two weeks that flew by in a flash. I am heading back in January to renew my visa at the US-Thai Embassy and plan to stay a full month. My kids will for sure be sick of me by that point after visiting me 2 weeks prior in December 🙂 But I am looking forward to less rush. I’m sure the snow and ice will keep me in and not quite as active.*** Until then…..

New York City

Determined to figure out my visa situation, I booked a round trip, one day in and out, to NYC to check with the Thai Embassy. Hoping they would be more helpful in determining my best options. Zoe tagged along and was perfect entertainment /company for our rainy day adventure.

The Thai Embassy was just as clueless regarding the hardships in Thailand for expats and were not very helpful in answering or understanding any of my issues with opening a bank account or having the incorrect visa. I met an American with an English accent in line and she has struggled for two years to get her visa. It’s a common story overseas so she was just as curious as me in regards to the bank account answers.

While talking with her and exchanging stories, the gentleman behind the window said that he now understood, by eavesdropping, that they gave me the wrong visa. He promised if I came back in February to NYC with all new paperwork, he would get me the correct retirement visa. I would then not have to move my finances for another year which is truly what I wanted. More time. The Thai Government frowns upon doing anything with the visas until they expire. Looks like I will be back in the big city early next year!

The flight over was gorgeous as always. Great views of the area.

I literally got drenched even though we jumped taxis to most of our locations. The rain was brutal and chilly.

We dove into a cafe for coffee and they had these great etch a sketches displayed and on the tables to play with. The one thing about NYC- the coffee is unbeatable. They really know how to make a powerful and flavorful brew.

Outside of Anna’s internship building, which was by my old 1440 stomping grounds, they had this interactive artwork similar to what I saw in Korea. Zoe and I couldn’t resist being tourists and snapping photos.

As we were walking toward Bryant Park we noticed this new building which was curved and looked inspired by a witch’s hat.

Even in the rain, Bryant Park is beautiful.

Just taking in the views from the streets. No longer taking for granted that I will be back. Appreciating what this city has to offer in every way.

Took this shot for the Dolly Parton billboard but loved the capture of the waste, mailbox and umbrella toting pedestrians.

Another coffee fix with my ZoZo. See me in the mirror? We were up at 5 am, so we needed caffeine along the way.

Met Juvi at PJs along with Cathy and his bro June. Sonny, his other brother also came along and Kassie! We were our typical rowdy group. Enjoyed a few beers.
Can’t wait for June and Cathy to come visit Phuket next week!!

Kassie’s cutie pie electric car complete with eyelashes taking us to the airport in style.

My beloved Queensboro Bridge. We frequented this in the 90s because we were too cheap to pay a toll. A great memorable ending to our day.

Selfie Love Story

Many people view selfies as an unnecessary photo method but I have found this smart phone invention perfect for capturing moments with friends from a point of view that may be stiff otherwise. My trip to the USA this October was quite a whirlwind of visits with friends and capturing our love in selfies shows a story deserving of its own post.

My beautiful friend Julie picked me up from Ohare airport and had a care package of munchies, beer and water waiting for me in the car. We only had one hour to visit, She bought me a much missed turkey sandwich then put me on a Megabus to Cincinnati. She is the most giving of all humans!!! Next visit I am absolutely spending more time in Chicago even if it is in January.

Next I grabbed my amazing film student daughter Zoe and we spent a typical day shopping and just hanging out together spending money and cooking at the Airbnb. My girls actually missed my meals, so I whipped up a few for old time sake. The classic Ohio comfort foods.

A morning with my comrade traveler and best spiritual adviser Rebecca. Loved sipping on french press coffee and hanging out in her kitchen like old times.

My man Justin and I were together every night! He welcomed me home with a bouquet of flowers and a gorgeous diamond necklace- damn!!!!. We had the most beautiful dinner in Covington at Lisse- to celebrate his new job!

Porch night at the Leurcks- a classic and perfect October night! Drew is my daughter’s best friend from birth and I loved seeing him again. Sad I missed a selfie with Kathy and Ms. Deb but damn did we have a phenomenal night.

A Sunday morning walk at Spring Grove Cemetery with my bad ass friend Beth She beat cancer recently and is looking damn sassy in her short hairdoo.

Picking Issey up from Clarke was a highlight. This has been a second family to me since college and my Thai influencer! Loved catching up with these girls!

Up to BGSU to have a kick ass meeting seeking change from their aviation department. My strong willed Sedona held tough and I have never been so proud! Loved meeting her friends – here with Jenna!

Zoe and I took off to NYC to check out some info from the Thai Embassy. We were able to squeeze in a quality lunch with grandma! And bonus seeing Anna who is interning there this semester!

Lambert did a drive by and we managed to get a hug in!

Good old Souply met us out and was kind enough to beat traffic and drop us off at LGA! I scored with this life long friend, who always manages to make time for me even when I am in for a very short visit.

Breakfast at Sleepy Bee with another life long friend Jeff! Hoping he and Bobby are not joking around about coming for a visit next spring! Would love to explore Phuket with them!

Thursday Blink Night with my bestie Steph. It was one drunken evening filled with a lot of laughs and some great lights! The fireball shot at the end probably sent us both over the edge. I can never have enough time with her- our 7 hours didn’t seem to cover it.

My sister Tiff and Jenny came down and met us at The Banks. Tiff got to see Justin’s goofy personality.

Friday night at the Taft Brewpoium with my coworker Julie. This is where it all began with Justin and I in 2017 playing- and marginally losing our shuffle board match with him and Allen.

A very talented Hannigan showed up to my surprise. Was great seeing the art team at a happy hour! Mark, Jane’s hubby always adding to our good times!!! Best mechanic should you need one!

My sweet long time friend Sabrina and Amy making my night by sticking around for great conversation and catching up! Was so happy to visit with them both!

My rebellious and influencers from Crossroads also swung by for a hello. Always awesome to have their support.

Denise my fellow towel mate, pickle ball player and all round kind hearted human being spoils me always! She’s the one who arranged the happy hour!

Shanna who has taken over much of my role at my past job probably honestly hates me by now leaving her in that predicament, but we love each other regardless of work. Looking forward to seeing her in Germany in January if I can get my ticket booked.

The gang with Carla’s hubby’s finger in the corner. Let’s face it, he wanted in”. Missed a few selfies with Kim, Jane and Carla- but sure was great seeing the gang again. The only part of missing SKL is these folks!

Headed to Yellow Spring’s Festival and caught up with local friend Carol! Think we have been meeting here for at least 5 years now! Was great to see her.

My sister Trisha also camped at Yellow Springs and I was thrilled to catch up with her! We ate at a Caribbean restaurant that I would highly recommend….the pineapple martini with coconut shavings is something Phuket needs to adopt!

A quick lunch with Bruce at the Blue Bird Cafe. Encouraging him to join me in retirement 🙂

My last night would not be complete without seeing Traci! We danced all night and took turns playing songs on Spotify to sing too. Poor Justin was a victim to our joy! Capturing our moves on video. Never a boring time with this one!

I know I missed a few others along the way. I easily see just from these photos how very fortunate I am to be surrounded by such beautiful friends who encourage me to be me and cheerlead my move to Thailand! These friendships have endured all distances.

I take off tomorrow to go back to my simple nomadic life. Was fantastic catching up even though my time was short, it was very meaningful. Catch you again in 2020.

Vegetarian Festival Parade- Parental Guidance Suggested :)

As a bit of a warning, there are some piercing photos in this blog that are to me very interesting but not for the faint hearted. Also I could not eliminate photos….it was such a fucking trip to see this and I wanted to share it fully so you could also truly visualize the experience. So in the blog world I think they would call this a long read”.

I love God’s timing. It rained a bit this morning and as much as I intended to get over to Phuket town early, it was not happening. I wanted to have breakfast with sweet Mimi and then possibly hit a temple before lunching with Virlane. I mean if I’m going to Phuket Town I have to see my peeps.

I decided to head out even though the rain hadn’t subsided. I hit a huge traffic jam and caught a dragon trailing by. I thought that was cool. In typical scooter style I ignored the signs stopping the cars and kept in route to my destination only to literally end up in a parade!!

Me driving in the parade! I pulled over as soon as I could to park and then scrambled over to the median to take it all in. And let me tell you it was a lot to take in!

Me still in the parade. Everyone was dressed in white except the parade participants.

Finally parked, I was able to catch the very beginning of the procession.

Oh ya! As described these pierced men were first in line on display. They are supposedly blessed by the spirits and are able to endure excessive pain.

A closer look. There are medics that walk beside them and continually dab at their wounds.

A true poser, loving the spotlight of his spiritual enlightenment.

It was something to see such a sea of white and then these displays of sacrifice.

Takes on an entirely different look in black and white.

The females are considered chinese angels.

When I showed this photo (which I beautifully captured) to Mimi she said “ it’s so small”. Not impressed.

This guy was shaking as if filled with spirits and waved his banner to bless the crowd.

The kids beat drums and clambered tambourines in the parade which added a bit of crazy to the scene.

This guy was the start of the firecracker throwing part of the parade. People along the street continually lit huge packets of firecrackers and tossed them onto him hoping they would go off on him. He did not move. The men carrying him wore wet towels to protect themselves.

The scene. Can not describe between the beating drums, firecrackers blaring and just overload on stimulus.

After the first human, there were tons of God’s that followed. Being carried and enduring firecrackers as well.

A pack of lit firecrackers landed by my feet so I backed off the median and watched from a safer distance.

Too cool to describe. This would never be allowed in the states. We are way too protected! And yet not.

Most of the people were barefoot or wearing simple flip flops

It was interesting that sometimes the guys used their wet yellow towels to fan the smoke away from the gods they carried.

Notice the sincere prayer pose. This is not just a show.

After the firecracker -god- throwing section it cleared up again.

A few smaller punctured volunteers went by.

This looked like a very important fruit donation to the gods. They were carrying it as if honored.

Elaborate temples being carried. I’m honestly not sure where they end up.

The main roundabout was overly decorated with fruit statues.

At the end was that dragon I first came across in traffic. It would open its mouth to eat donations of money.

They were fun to watch. A great end to the displays.

Immediately following was the clean up crew. All very well thought out.

Even the King’s image was newly adorned.

Heading home the flags and lanterns lined the streets.

Came across another decorated roundabout.

Then hot vegetarian stands of street food for miles!

You can see they really take over the roads.

Then as I was turning onto my street, I couldn’t help but capture this guy!! A basket filled with rice and bags stacked with greens! These damn scooters are efficient 😁

Posting this from the airport which is chaotic beyond my expectations. I’ve been on my own too long. The noise level and screaming children are —— unbearable. But I’m focus on coming to see my kids!!! And that is helping me to endure. I had to get this post out—- it’s just too amazing to delay

sorry for any type os.

Vegetarian Festival

Last week I started seeing these yellow flags going up everyone throughout the towns. I had no idea what they, but knew they were not in Thai. I later was informed that they were for the Vegetarian Festival. I thought “how odd”. But apparently its quite a thing here!

The Chinese Buddhists go 9 days without any meat as a type of cleansing. But there is also an entire week dedicated to this festival and the streets are lined up with booth after booth of vegetarian street food options as well as white clothing for sale. Everyone wears white. Firecrackers are also huge during this week which if you can imagine is a free for all and unregulated.

Photo taken last week as I was coming home from Phuket Town.

This festival is huge in Phuket and celebrated by the Chinese-Thai community. I started looking it up in the news and other resources to learn more. According to another blogger the history of the festival began in Kathu, where I live.

I am hoping to watch one of the street parades tomorrow before I catch my flight. They carry statues of their gods led by the “Ma Song” who are believers who welcome the spirits of the gods to enter their bodies. Supposedly they are quite freiky. They stick sharp objects in their face like the photo above in the news article. They show no pain. I saw photos that cannot be unseen”. Not sure what I will do if I actually see this in action live, but for your sake, I will post a few photos if I do see anything crazy.

Today before I met up with Rebecca to get my custom perfumes she made for me, I took a detour into Kathu to stop at one of the temples to take a look.

This street was blocked off to traffic, but of course scooters never abide by those rules so we all went on through and I got a closer look.

These kids were setting off fire crackers and enjoying the noise.

Notice the full white wardrobes. They take this all very seriously. Everyone was in white.

I love the colors in this photo. And the contrast of the white clothing. I did not go inside. Felt a little like I was intruding on something they found sacred. I didn’t in any way want to disrespect their prayers.

I purchased a few tees to support the vegetarian event. (Gifts for Stella and Angie)

Check out these elaborate chairs. I think this is what they put their gods in during the parade. I just wish I knew when it was happening. All the event calendars I have found list the dates and temples, but when I google map the temples they don’t exist.

Snapped this on my way out just for the beauty of the red, teal and sky blue.

I do hope I can catch a little more of this cultural event tomorrow. It lasts all week, but I will not be here to see. If not, maybe to be continued next year:)

3 Monkeys

Tonight I went out to dinner with Jason at a restaurant called 3 Monkeys. I google mapped it. It’s a hidden gem up a mountain in a jungle like setting only 14 minutes from where I live.

Honestly I worry a bit about Tia and driving down unknown roads at night. She has a headlight that doesn’t illuminate anything on the road, but it does show others cars I exist. Can’t have it all I suppose. There were some areas while driving that I literally could not see a thing until a car came up behind me.

It was such an amazing natural environment. Wood pieced together to make up gorgeous tables and doors, total open air upstairs with thatched roofs and wooden floors.

The view through the trees revealed the city in the distance. Chair was big enough for two with a trampoline like mat in front you could lay on the mesh as if lying above the jungle trees below.

There’s an entire lower level enclosed with air conditioning for hot summer months. Check out the door!

Much of the restaurant was built around trees that must have been there for decades prior.

You can see how the kitchen even is cut out around an old tree still alive and growing. Jason was telling me I must go to Bali if I love this sort of nature thing.

On the menu fried duck beaks and worm beetles. hmmmmmm—— as predicted I got chicken with white rice. So midwestern of me.

This is the view from inside the toilet. I love the old fashion locking system and monkey’s participation in what not to do.

Jason with our cocktails. Mine came in a natural hammock with a mango on top.

Beautiful pathway to a larger private area.

Plant life surrounding this place was amazing. I must come back during daylight hours to truly see what all it offers.

Laundry Luck

Today on the calendar I literally wrote down Laundry Day. I knew I had to do mine this weekend so it had time to hang dry prior to my Monday packing 🙂 Gotta give it a few days in the Thai humidity.

As I was hugging my laundry box filled to the rim, I got on the elevator only to encounter a nice man who explained that the laundry facility at our condo was closed until October 7! Yikes! Good news is they are putting in all new washer and dryers which will be fantastic after that date, but what the heck was I going to do in the meantime.

I crammed all my clothes into a duffel bag with hopes that I could handle it while driving Tia. Laundry detergent in my purse, I googled “laundry” and found a place near my local 7/11. Now….could I figure it out? Honestly been awhile since I’ve been to a laundry mat.

The machines were new looking and place was spotless! All instructions in English and even a coin machine. Bonus! Looking good.

They even had numbers telling you the order to do each of the steps. #1 put your clothes in and close the door, #2 put the soap in, #3 push a temperature……WHAT? ERROR?

Now what? The machine wouldn’t take my coins or let me select a temp. No big deal right?! I’ll just take my clothes out and try another machine. But the door was locked. There was no opening it! No matter how hard I tried! (OMG all of my bras and undies are in there!—-and investment to say the least!)

A nice woman sitting at the counter waiting on her laundry tried to help while continuing to speak on her cell. She basically shrugged and said it was not opening. Duh! In my best Thai, I humbled myself and asked her what I should do. This was a self service place. Nobody around. She called someone and put her finger up telling me to wait. I assumed she was calling a big burly man to come and rip the door off.

A few minutes later a Burmese woman arrived with the traditional paste on her cheeks, only to push the same buttons I tried and to witness the situation. A lot of chatter between the two women, who I truly appreciated! The one left and purchased what I thought was a lottery card from the 7/11. She scratched it off. I was hoping maybe she won.

It was some sort of additional SIM money so her friend then made a call and handed the phone to me. I was terrified. I explained my situation in slow English. The woman on the other line asked if I could wait. I told her I wasn’t leaving because I needed my clothes. She kept asking me if they were finished or not. Not sure why that mattered, but I said no.

As I waited I watched my towel load churning noticing that “perhaps” I had put in too much soap !:)

The woman from the phone arrived. She was Chinese. I am so impressed by the cultural diversity here and the power of the women! They are in charge of everything in Thailand and keep all the businesses going. She pressed the same buttons and I sat back entertained at this point. Appreciating the efforts, I was thinking the mechanic would have to be called in to remove the door.

But instead this clever woman peeled back a sticker on the machine revealing a hole which she shoved her key into and jimmied the door open. I was so VERY appreciative! As I put my load into the next washer, she passed me 20 BHT to pay for my warm water. It was then I realized why my towel load cost so much! I ran it on hot. They charge by water temp, not by load. Interesting but makes total sense since hot water is not readily available. All facets here run one temp. If you want anything other than that temp, you have to purchase a water heater.

I’ll admit not a very exciting day, but I still wanted to share. I’m heading to a restaurant tonight called 3 monkeys. I google mapped it and its in the middle of a jungle. This is going to be fun!

Canvas Photography Art

My friend Debbie surprised me one day by showing me how she took one of my beach photos and created canvas art for her bedroom.

It turned out incredible! Bringing her peace. I wholeheartedly enjoy that something I did contributed to that!

Her son thought it was pretty cool and selected a few surf board photos that he wanted to have done. What a brilliant idea! I am so honored that she did this and that her family is enjoying beauty from my experiences shared from Phuket!

The clarity is impressive! I love my iphone!

I never thought I was a photographer but I have to admit these turned out pretty cool!

I decided I want to make small desk canvases to send out to any of my blog followers who have a particular photo that spoke to them. Consider it a Christmas gift!!

**Email me at tonyatakesthailand@gmail.com. Please attach the photo desired.

Tonya’s Tri Trang Love

I’ve been away from the blog, busy working with students during random hours of the day and finalizing a design project prior to my trip to The States next week. I am counting the days!! Unfortunately I am only there for a few short weeks and am prioritizing time with my daughters and Justin mostly. Please don’t be offended if I cannot squeeze in time to see you- doesn’t mean I love you any less. 🙂

Looking out my window today the sky was blue and I couldn’t resist putting on my swimsuit and heading to a beach. After all, I had a 5 hour break in between students and needed to make the best of this no rain day. Where to go, where to go? I wanted to head up north and visit a beach I hadn’t gotten to yet, but then remembered it was low season and I really wanted to swim.

I headed to Tri Trang Beach, which tends to temp me its way every time with its desolate beach and swimmable waters. It’s never busy, the water is crystal clear, and there’s plenty of shade.

Unfortunately, as I was trekking down the trail to get the to beach today, I witnessed massive construction. I have a very bad feeling that this new resort going up is going to take over the trail and turn it into private property. There will no longer be public access to this gorgeous beach. My hope is that it doesn’t close off before my daughters come to visit in December!

The current entrance to the beach. The colors were beautiful today.

You can see the rocks under the clear water. Within the two hours I was there, those rocks all surfaced and a few people were walking on them, going out very far into the sea. I did not have the right shoes on today or I would’ve done the same.

These string like circles were everywhere in the sand under the water. No clue what they were. Some form of crab poop? Anyone know?

I decided to test out this lunch spot. Not the best, but had excellent views.

The colors I hope I never stop appreciating.

I really wish I understood the tides. Why they come and go and how to know the best time to go to each beach. Previously I had been to this same beach if you recall when the water was so high there was barely a spot to sit down and keep dry. It was the same timing as today, and now is the exact opposite scenario. Science. I never did have a grasp of it.

I saw what I thought was an expat couple taking their scooter up a road that I had never been. On my drive home I decided to turn up this road to see what there was to see. Poor Tia could not make it up the steep incline and I had to stop. I tried to turn her around but scarily she was slipping backwards. I finally figured out how to gun it and turn to face downward, only sacrificing a toe in the maneuver. A gentle reminder of how easily your skin will tear should I ever fall over on a scooter ride. But look at this view!!! It was amazing.

Another shot from the steep incline a little further down. I wish the photo turned out more clearly. I was bracing my legs to keep Tia from continuing down the hill while clutching onto one brake firmly using the other hand to dig for my phone to snap this photo. At one point while juggling this scene, I was laughing at myself at how I was determined to snap a shot, knowing I would never drive Tia up there again.

Indonesian Fires

Jason flew in yesterday from Melbourne and mentioned that the smoke from Indonesia was getting thick over Phuket. He could see its coverage from the sky. I told him I just assumed it was cloud coverage since it had been raining all day.

You all know I avoid the news. Mostly because they always mention a tourist drowning, a scooter driver dying in a daily accident, or Trump’s latest ignorance. I just can’t handle reading about things I cannot control that instill fear and helplessness into my brain. My brain already has a tough enough time surviving 🙂 I find my bubble to be a much nicer place to live.

I was forced out today to buy some coffee and pay my rent due. I headed to the mall to kill two birds with one stone. I witnessed the smoke that has drifted over to Thailand and thought maybe you all would be interested to see first hand.

The smoke is thick. I have never seen the mountains covered like this before. Virlane said it just reminds her of China. I’m sure Ingrid can relate to that statement.

What I did find on the news when I decided I best take a look and see what this is about.

How can our world not see how we are all one and what one country does effects not just them? Waiting for the aliens to invade so we can all be on the same team.