January_7

Hello,

Finally time to add some information to our trip journal. Brad had his final Doctors appointment on December 28. The Doctor indicated that the eye had healed nicely. All that was needed was to run a two week course of steriod drops. There was slight scar tissue around the perimiter of the scratch but this should be reduced with the treatment. She said we could resume traveling and did not have to have another appointment. This was great news! Even though we both held a positive outlook as we managed this problem, it was a bit scary underneath the tough exterior. To recieve the "all clear" was a heavy weight off our shoulders. We had both accepted the fact that if the eye did not heal we may have to end the trip and head home for treatment.

Since we were in Bangkok, we took advantage and celebrated the holidays in style. We lounged around the pool and enjoyed the 85 degree weather and worked on our tans. The friends we traveled with in Vietnam (Pat and Kassi) returned to the Atlanta on December 23, so we had friends to celebrate Christmas with...a great present! The Atlanta was decorated with Christmas trees and lights, and the Christmas music they were playing brought tears to our eyes. It was reminiscent of being at home. On Christmas Eve day we layed by the pool and ended up befreinding to sisters from Norway. We decided to celebrate the evening together. So with Pat and Kassi, we all headed out to a seafood buffet. The menu included all kinds of fresh seafood including crab legs, lobster, grilled fish, and Brad dined on sushi all night! Following dinner we attended midnight mass at a local church. It was packed! The best part was that there was every race and color imaginable in attendence. Although the priest did not say so, it sounded like he was from the U.S. It was a great day! The next morning Brad's family called, which was Christmas Eve for them, and we talked with everyone. A nice treat...and on Mom and Dad's bill!

Christmas day was more pool time! The highlight of this day was the Atlanta Christmas Buffet dinner. It was free to its guests and included turkey, cranberry sauce, potato salad, hot dogs, and bacon. Not sure where hot dogs and bacon are traditional christmas food. It was a real treat. We ate dinner with Pat and Kassi and then wached a movie with some new friends, John, his wife Noi and John's son Nathan. Nathan teaches in Taiwan and the family decided to meet here for the Holidays. John is from England and his wife is Thai. Again, keeping in christams tradition, the movie shown by the Atlanta was, "It's a Wonderful Life". This is McDowell family favorite and made Brad feel at home. The dining room was loud, and John and Nathan where having a hard time hearing, so Brad paraphrased the whole movie to them. That evening Jen phoned her family and had a nice talk. Her mom tried, but could not stop the tears. We know it is hard to have your loved ones so far away.

On New Years Eve was celebrated big time. We both bought new outfits. Jennifer got a new hairdo and her nails done. It was a ball. We went to the Mariott Hotel, which is just down the block, and had a traditional Thai dinner. It included excellent Thai food and for entertainment we were treated to traditional Thai dancing. It was very fancy and it sure felt nice to be dressed up a bit after four months of living out of our backpacks. After dinner there was music and dancing in the hotel lobby. We stole the show! To cap the night off, we went back to the hotel and Brad just had to do jump off the high dive into the pool. Good thing he changed into his swim suit first.

Now that we have the ok to travel, it was time to make our next plan. Our Loas visa expired, so we decided to head to northern Thailand. We are in Chaing Mai. We took the overnight train and arrived 2 days ago. We enjoy the train much more than busses, however this one came with a drunk, vomitting guy across the aisle. Brad held his head out the window so it would not go all over the floor. Yuk!!! We hope to go on a Hilltribe/elephant trek, explore some small towns and return to Bangkok by January 24th. On January 28th we fly to Kathmandu, Nepal. We now hope to spend 2 months in Nepal. We are researching a yoga and meditation institute and will do a couple of treks. We hope the Moaist rebels in Nepal take a respite in the next couple of months!

Click here for pictures of Christmas in Bangkok

Click here for pictures of New Years in Bangkok

Talk with you soon! Peace out,

Brad and Jennifer