No Wandering For Now…
No, we haven’t been killed in the political situation here in Bangkok. The media everywhere like to lead people to believe things are worse than they actually are. I can hear the protests from our hotel, but really things are no different for tourists here.
My first couple of days in town I went tearing through the foodstands. The street food is amazing and super cheap. I was grazing through the city streets and decided to eat a late night meal of spicy basil chicken. Big mistake. They served it to me “Thai hot” and I was sick for almost 3 days. “Thai hot”, although great, is not the thing to eat before bed.
Aside from being sick, we’ve been hanging around Bangkok for other reasons. Before we left for this trip, we spent a lot of time planning and trying to cover every possible scenario.
One thing we discussed was possible reasons for going home. What if a family member dies? We were thinking about our grandparents and I even went so far as to discuss it with them. I already knew the answer, but it was nice to hear it from them they would want us to continue the trip. We figured sickness or death (our own) would be the only thing that could stop us.
But, we never discussed or imagined losing a parent. WD’s father, Jim, passed away a few days ago. His passing was not a complete shock… yet it was.
When we left on this journey Jim’s health was still sound but in the last couple of months things have not been good. We discussed what to do if something should happen and decided we could not afford for both of us to return home, so WD would go alone. WD is in Arizona now (hopefully sleeping after 3 days of hellacious travel to get home) with her family.
It’s nice to think you can completely escape life and go see the world but it’s not realistic. Although things are much the same back home, life does go on without you. Since we’ve left several of our friends have had children we still have not met, my grandmother has passed away, and now another loss. Some wonderful things and some terrible things–the kisses and ass kicking life will hand you.
WD was insistent this journey will not end before it’s time (my wife is a lot stronger than I), so the wandering team has been reduced to one for this month anyway. I hope to find an apartment here in Bangkok and await for my lovely wife to return (I miss you already chic).
Our new and very awesome friend here in Bangkok, “Nomadic Matt,” has been a tremendous help to us during this difficult time. A huge thank you to him from both of us. Thanks to all our great readers out there and we will hopefully be back together with more mindless babble from the road soon.
Craig said:
Our condolences to WD and you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Wendy said:
My condolences to you and your family during this difficult time.
June Neal said:
I have been following along with your travels for quite some time now and I am very sorry to hear about the loss of WD’s Dad. You are both amazing people doing something I would never have the strength to do, so I have been traveling around the world vicariously through you. Here’s hoping your lovely wife is able to join you again very soon and may your new adventures help her get through this very tough and emotional time. ~ JN
Gillian said:
Our sincerest condolences to both of you, Dawn and Sean. Our thoughts are with you as each try to find comfort. I wish Dawn a good trip back and time with her family, and I’m glad that you have friend there to turn to also. Take care.
Gillian and Jason
Gretchen said:
My deepest sympathies to you both. My prayers are with you and her family. Please be careful over there.
Gretchen
Cris said:
Our best thoughts are with you both today.
It’s very brave of you deciding to continue the journey.. I think it was a good decision. Take care.
Shawn said:
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2leftfeet said:
Dawn—
So sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. My prayers are with you and your family.–Denise
Philomena Harbaugh said:
My deepest sympathies to Dawn. Wishing you much love and strength at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Nina said:
Sean, we are sad you are not here with Dawn, it would have been wonderful to see you. Currently we are getting Dawn fat on Western foods and creating a gambling addict.
-Nina
Cindi said:
I am deeply sorry to hear about the loss of your father, Dawn. Our thoughts are with you.
Kara y Travis said:
Our thoughts and condolences go out to you both as well. Kara and I wondered what we would do in the same situation while we were traveling and there was no easy answer. We wish you both well and know that you will get through it. Stay positive.
julie said:
First time reading your blog… and I’m hooked! I stumbled upon this blog and have been reading for about 20 minutes! I am so deeply sorry to hear about your father’s passing DW. But, I am also happy to hear the journey will continue but after it’s pause. I’ve often wondered what I would do if I was halfway around the world and someone I loved passed away. I’ve never been away for more than 4 months but with heart attacks and breast cancer hitting my family when I was away I had decided that if things were terminal I would go home…I would need and want to be there as much as my other surviving family members would need and want me there too.
Congratulations on living out such a fabulous dream to travel the world!! Your stories are great… and you give the rest of us in our 30’s something to think about!!!
I will stop in again to see where your travels take you when you’re once again wandering together.
Dawn said:
Thank you EVERYONE for all of your nice thoughts and wishes. I have been so touched by everyone’s comments, people I know, people I don’t know, it has been so nice to receive such support. It has been really different being back in the US….everyone understands me, I know where everything is, I drove a car for the first time in a year. I am still a bit upside down from the time change. But every day I check these comments and it brings a smile to my face knowing there are so many nice people supporting us. THANK YOU.
Theresa said:
My deepest sympathy, Dawn. I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope you find strength in the time you are spending with your family and joy in the memories you have of your father.
Masculino said:
WD - I was saddened to hear about the death of your father. From my family to yours - happy thoughts and prayers. Cherish the memories and cherish the pictures. Draw on your strength and the strength of your family.
WS - Stay positive and stay strong - WD wl be with you soon : )
Glad to hear Nomadic Matt is lending a hand.
“Lumpini”
Tracy said:
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
john said:
hi dawn, im sorry to hear about your dads passing. he must have been so excited to see you living out your dreams. i wish you and your family the best.