On the way back from Yangon, we stopped in Bangkok for the weekend. Since we were already paying the flight to go through, we thought we’d enjoy some more fun as a family!
Bangkok had more highs than lows, but still had some lows. We’re still learning how to address some discipline issues with Oak, while working toward attachment and language skills. All while learning to do life in the community with a toddler, deal with chikungunya, and manage mounds of paperwork.
Oh, and make sure he eats, sleeps, and has clothes to wear.
It’s was three months ago today we met him; and what a full three months!
Here I’ll just mention our highest highs from Bangkok.
1) Some friends in Mae Sot mentioned a free exhibit offered at one of the universities in Bangkok. It was sponsored by an eco-friendly toy company and had a variety of educational activities for kids to do.
2) We did IKEA. It’s sort of a high, sort of a low; I usually walk in loving it and leave hating it! But Oak had fun playing with all the toys. He also LOVES chairs, particularly stackable ones, so we did some re-stacking of chairs and stools.
3) The trains. Our favorite hotel is within view of the BTS line, so trains are running all day every day. They can be seen from every floor and the swimming pool and the street, so we did a lot of shouting, “TRAIN!” And of course we rode it around town, which Oak really, really loves.
4) While we were there we went to our favorite pizza place in town, of course. We’ve both decided it might be our favorite pizza in the world, so we frequent it. We’ve been known to tell friends in Mae Sot to try it; we’ve taken family members who visit.
We like it.
This time one of the waitresses came right up to us to tell us she’d seen us on the news! She recognized us when we were all in yellow for our interviews about adoption.
I’m not sure what it says about us that a pizza place nine hours from our home recognizes us, but we’ll take it. 🍕🍕🍕
5) One morning at the hotel, the staff in the hallway were speaking Burmese to one another. I heard it from the room and mentioned something to Stephen. Oak, too, heard it and pointed toward the door, so I asked if he heard the Burmese and if he wanted to go say hi. He was so excited, so we went out to tell the staff we speak Burmese! It’s so fun seeing how fast he’s picking up both Burmese & English, even able to recognize it and separate it from Thai and other languages.
6) The weekend was also Thai Mother’s Day, and my first with Oak! After a few years of being honored at church, but also wishing it wasn’t the neighbor kids giving me a flower, it was a treat to hold him.
Trying to get to my Starbucks coffee without walking the babe wrapped in my arms: first world problem.
When we checked in to fly home, the airline had a photo booth set up for Mother’s Day. As we went by, the explained they would print out a photo for free. Stephen, with three bags in tow, kept walking toward the counter, and the employee looked at me dumbfounded: “Free! I said free. He didn’t understand?” I explained we’d just check in all these and be right back. We did, and it was totally worth it.
And now we’re home. With visas! (Clearly I’m still celebrating over here.)