It’s About Thaim!
It was weird flying into the Bangkok airport without having a list of errands to rush before the next departure. I actually had some spare time before my family arrived, in which I met up with Kay, one of Rustic’s Thai staff. I told her to act “really Thai,” meaning an exaggerated hands-together bow and no English, except for “Well-calm to Thailand, Mer-von famlee.”
When I saw Nick wheel a cart out of baggage claim, Kay had to hold me back from running against the flow of arriving passengers. If I were a dog, my tail would have been wagging out of control. Once in hugging distance, we just kept looking at one another and smiling. Little comments like “How was the flight?” and “How long have you been waiting?” but nothing more significant than absorbing the moment visually. I realized how much I missed the little things, like my Mom’s photo diligence, my Dad’s admirable attempts at foreign languages, and, most preciously, my brother’s tradition of caressing my left nipple for photos.
At the hotel room, little treats were presented: Mom revealed homemade brownies, cinnamon rolls, and poppy seed muffins, Dad’s unbelievable DVD of my trip so far made its debut, and Nick gladly relinquished the two bottles of wine that I shipped to Boston from South Africa. The excitement of the reunion postponed any jetlag, and we made an appropriate first trip in Thailand to the tailor’s – suits, shirts, blazers – Merry Christmas to us!
It was hard to remember that this was the rest of my family’s first trip to Asia. Laos was my sixth country on the continent, so basically I’m spoiled.
After our fittings, I took them to my Bangkok hood. The laundry lady, the best restaurant, the internet café, the skewer lady, the massage place, the beer garden, and the hotel room with all my accumulated loot. David spotted us during my guided tour, and joked that I was dangerously comfortable on his turf. That “Baby Bear was beginning to sleep in Papa Bear’s bed.”
We flew up to Udon Thani this afternoon, where we were welcomed by Dum, Maha, Loi and 2 other Thai guys with flower bouquets and wreaths. At the ricefield’s house, we were greeted by the rest of the extended family. It was amazing to watch Mom, Dad, and Nick begin to experience what I’ve become so familiar with. The people, the customs, the house, the meals, the random dogs – all of it. While the sun was still out, we took motorcycles around the village.
Since it’s only minutes away from Christmas here, and I have piles of international presents to prepare, that’s a wrap (pun intended)!
Charlie,
December 24th, 2005 at 1:55 pmI’m finally sending a greeting!
I’ve been amazed, enlightened and delighted with your postings. It appears you are well on your way to viewing and experiencing the guidebook’s “1000 places to see”! I’ve vicariously enjoyed “revisiting” places I’ve been and been jealous of the ones I’ve missed. Of course, there have been a few activities and meals I’m truly glad to never have tried……. Please give hugs to all the family. I’m especially glad Nick got his passport and documents in time and wasn’t jailed for being under-age and traveling with liquor! Happy Hanakkah and New Year to you all! xxx Sandy
ah! im jealous of both you and nick cuz you both get to see each other!! i miss you both tons!! cant wait to here all of the stories that come out of the next two weeks or so…miss you guys and love you yo pieces
December 24th, 2005 at 2:00 pmxoxo
con
Cut your hair.
December 24th, 2005 at 6:44 pmmerry christmas!!
December 24th, 2005 at 8:26 pmHappy Holidays to all the Melvoins from all the Burnetts. We love being able to keep up with you electronically and look froward to seeing Jeff’s DVD of ‘Travels with Charlie’. The ads for Jeff’s new series have been on TV and it looks great - we’re looking forward to seeing it. This will be sure to be a holiday season that you all remember for a lifetime. Love to you all and wishes for a safe journey.
December 25th, 2005 at 9:27 amBarbara, David & Alex
you better not cut your hair…remember samson?? is that what you want?
December 25th, 2005 at 10:44 amWell, well, well! We just learned of Whereischarlie from his gran’pappy and are finding time to catch up with him…Hope you don’t mind if we go backwards, Charlie. Give our love to your Mom & Dad and I expect we will get the Jeff Melvoin Family Newsletter later on in January. This is Xmas morning in Santa Fe and just a while ago a neighbor brought me a little gift. It was a beautiful gold and enameled pin - a Bird of Paradise pin. Why am I telling you this trivia? Well, the lady who brought it to me is from Thailand. She* has recently married our neighbor, Walter ROTHCHILD. OK, it’s a long story and I won’t keep you from your elephand ride - or whatever you all are about to do. We wish EVERYONE a GREAT NEW YEAR, a safe trip home, etc.
December 25th, 2005 at 11:15 amgunther & geri
*’though Walter (a retired judge from Iowa) is in his 70’s, she is much younger and does not speak very understandable English (I think you know what I mean)
Dear Charlie, Nick, Linn, and Jeff,
December 25th, 2005 at 3:21 pmWe wish you a Happy Holiday. Great that you all are together for a while. Best wishes for the New Year. We look forward to hearing all about it. Emma and Mackie are having a great time today. They say hello.
All our love,
Karen and Bob