Thailand Letter
Dearest Family, Wednesday, October 7, 1998 7:25 p.m.
WELL - I am settled in with a very sweet companion!!! The last five days have been very, very hectic and I have decided that I can do anything now - I feel as though I have conquered the universe - Ha!!!
Mr. Wit, the Superintendent of Schools, sent his driver on Saturday with a pickup truck. Darlene, Janet and I carried millions of things downstairs to the pickup and then upstairs at the townhouse. I cannot believe I have accumulated the things I have but most of the things were supplies from the apartment on Ruam Rudi and school things. It was a hot day and the townhouse isn't air conditioned so we were worn out. Mr. Wit came to the townhouse about noon with his wife (she is gorgeous) and took us out to lunch. We went to a restaurant on the river and the food was delicious but we were hoping it would be inside an air conditioned restaurant.
Sunday, we went to church and when we came home there were teachers waiting for us with dinner. Before we had finished eating more teachers came with more food and we were all invited out for dinner at 3 p.m. We didn't know what to do so we just ate a little bit of everything that was brought. Our friends came for us about 3 and took us to the nicest private home I have been to here in Bangkok and there were families in the group - lots of children!!! It was the same group of friends who took us to Hua Hin (the beach). The people who own this home have lived there for generations and it is a typical Thai home - three separate buildings. The kitchen area is in a newly remodeled home but it is filled with Thai antiques that are absolutely priceless and the husband is an architect - he showed us one of the Thai magazines that features his work. I have never tasted such delicious food and we watched them prepare it. THAT WAS ONE OF THE NICEST THINGS I HAVE BEEN TO SINCE I CAME.
Monday morning, Mr. Wit and his driver came to take me to the townhouse again so I could clean and put things away - we had just left the boxes all over. I worked all day but I had a funny experience. We had carefully taken the computer so we didn't have to unplug any of the cords and I had planned to put it in the extra bedroom upstairs. Well - when I went to plug it in I realized that it had to be by a telephone connection if I wanted to use the internet. SO I carried the computer table back downstairs by the telephone but I didn't dare carry the computer by myself. I took the bus back to Ruam Rudi - it costs 3 bahts to take it to Lumpini Park and then I got a taxi and it cost 40 bahts to go a few more blocks to Ruam Rudi. It was dark and I didn't know how to go by bus any further. Phyllis was waiting at the apartment for me - Helen, Janet and Darlene had gone to dinner with President and Sister Goodman for a farewell dinner and interview.
Tuesday I just "goofed off" - I couldn't do any preparation for school because all my things were here at the townhouse. I walked to "Sogo" - a store by Central on Phloenchit and got some things I needed and had a "Big Mac" at MacDonald's. Helen stayed in her bedroom all day and sorted things out to give away or take home. She has had the flu or something for over a week - she is sick every time after her children have been here - I don't know if they bring bugs from America or if she just goes too much. Janet and Darlene were at the BMA translating the Governor's speech at the farewell party. About 7 p.m. Somjit and Lamchuan came and got us and brought us to the townhouse so we could all carry the computer downstairs and hook it up. It hooked up really easy but I don't know how to work the "splitter" you bought Bob - in fact, I can't find it. I'm not going to worry about it - we'll just hook up the telephone every time we want to connect to the internet like we used to. We didn't get home until about 11:30 p.m.
Wednesday - today has been a BIG DAY!!! I had my hair done this morning - I am trying to wait until November before I get another permanent and it is quite unmanageable. We left our apartment at 12:30 to go to the Mission Office to meet the new volunteers. That was quite an experience - they all look SO tired and one of the single sisters was actually sick and had to leave the meeting. My companion is from Rexburg, Idaho and she is a widow - her husband died 2 1/2 years ago of heart failure at the age of 74 and I believe they were about the same age (I don't dare ask her how old she is). She has ten children and 36 grandchildren - I feel like a "wimp". She is so very sweet and willing to do anything. I have just put her to bed because she almost went to sleep while we were eating our dinner. I will LOVE working with her but it will be the hardest thing I have done so far as teaching goes because I don't believe she has had any experience. The teachers will love her because she wants to serve and she is just darling and SO sweet!!!
Marc gave us our schedules and you wouldn't believe what he wants me to do. I am to give a teaching demonstration for 2 hours on school, classrooms and home next week. Then I am scheduled to teach at Channel 9 and Channel 3 for three hours once a week. Then I am scheduled to go to Lopburi on Saturday by train and teach and spend the night there and go to church on Sunday. This besides teaching all week in the schools - I don't think Myrth (my companion) will be up to it.
Myrth and all the other volunteers who arrived today will leave on Friday to go "up country" to visit the church members and also to do some humanitarian work. They are going to paint a school. Since I am going home in December I don't have to go. They won't be back again until Sunday night late. This complicates things because missionaries can't be alone over night - I have to go back to Ruam Rudi to spend the night on Friday and Saturday nights to be with Helen. This is like having you go from Provo to Layton in heavy traffic.
I said goodbye to our apartment owners today and I told them that my sons were coming in December and wanted to buy some "gems". They said they would help you because they know some gem dealers and they would give you honest and good rates. Bob - do you remember Mita? They are very nice people and I know they will help you.
I am going to send Bob and John my new address in Thai so they can give it to the taxi driver to bring them here when they come. It is a VERY, VERY difficult place to find - I am really out in the "boonies" and I don't have any idea where we can do any grocery shopping. Last night when we drove along the Soi we saw a big golden Buddha in one of the yards - it is very eerie!!!
I hope you all have a WONDERFUL time during UEA. The Bobs are going to New York to see the cultural spots with their children - I THINK THAT'S WONDERFUL. I believe the Woolleys are going to Jerome and I hope Russ' new wife is better. The Weinerts will be anxious to see Ricky at the airport on the 12th - Oh, how I wish I could be there to give him a big squeeze. I don't know about the Johns and the Roys (it won't be a holiday for Little Rock though).
Please don't think you have to answer this - I know you are all busy with plans for the holiday. I wanted you to know I am settled once again and I'm very happy and doing great!!! I will answer your letter later Jeannie - thank you so much for writing to me and you too Bob.
I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY, VERY MUCH. PLEASE BE SO VERY, VERY CAREFUL. Grandma B