A Day in the Life of...Cross-cultural Setup

Last night we planned out the day carefully:
Go to the bank to reinstate our account
Go pick up permanent SIM cards for our phones (currently we only have temporary tourist ones)
Attempt to recover a deposit reimbursement from our previous stay here
Come back to look at a few more apartments

Woke this morning to a dreadful downpour
Which complicated things a little
Took longer than expected to gather everything we might need for the bank
Finally ready to go at least 2 hours behind schedule

Out the door, only to discover Grab (Uber for Asia) has no available drivers for us
So, back up to borrow umbrellas and sus out the bus schedule and route
A wet walk and wait then on a crowded bus

To hear the driver say, "Where? Don't know" in response to our declaration of which stop we wanted
(You have to tell when getting on for them to set the fare)
So we watch carefully for road signs
Using precious phone data minutes to follow the route on GPS
And get off - at least two stops too early

Still, we find the bank, chosen for its proximity to our other downtown destination
After a 1km walk dodging puddles, drains, cars - parked ones and driving ones
Only to be told we have to go to the branch where we originally got our account

So after a break for lunch, we set out for the TMPoint to get our SIMs
Between a flaky GPS signal and Michael navigating, we walk an extra 2 km maybe
At least it is not raining anymore and is still cool from the rain...

We eventually do find the place
Scramble for Google's reminders of how to count here
So we can answer the summons by ticket number to the correct counter
This task we complete - Score! We have permanent phone numbers!

Second task of deposit reimbursement...
Seems pretty far out, we are talking about a 3 year old refund statement...
It seems to go through; yes! we'll have a bit more cash to tide us over until we can fix our banking
Wait - we're told it will happen in about a month!?!

Next stop, the correct bank
Thankfully Grab finds us a car this time
At the bank, right off, we are told we still are not at the right place!
This time we ask for the right address
And back with Grab we go to the right place

Finally in the right place; we can get this done and go home
Well, no. We're faced with a request for our old passports
To match the numbers given for the account originally
That was not a request we anticipated at all!

Some fast thinking - and praying!
We actually did bring our old passports - not to the bank, of course, but
Jasmin can take a photo and send it through WhatsApp
Will that do? Ok, can do.

But Jasmin can't find Michael's, only mom's
Because Michael's was renewed here in Asia, and did not receive his old passport back
Can we please access our account only through Liz's credentials then?
Bending the rules, but, yes, can do.

New picture please, with no background
And email it instead
A faff for Jasmin, working with her phone's water damaged camera
Using the front camera, to get a photo with no fingers and no blurriness!

Can we get online access again?
No, not until Michael's access is also reinstated
Can we move our money and use it just through Liz's card?
Not at the machines, only in a branch
Ok, can we do it now? Ok.
We sign the papers. When will the money be useable?
Not for a few days - tomorrow's a holiday. Ok...

So. We follow directions to a money changer not too far away
More walking, dodging and minding where the feet go
Sore feet and a lagging leg for me
We're averaging between 5-7km walking a day!
Thankful for friends who've given us money
We change enough to see us through the week

Then a GrabTaxi (more expensive than Grab) because Grab has no drivers for us
To home? No, to see the apartment after having moved the viewing over an hour later
Because of all the banking snafus
Now inching through the end of day traffic, will we make it on time?

We do. We see two apartments, not the one we requested
And discover that this agent believes we've taken her on and should pay her commission
Umm, no?

Then, finally, about 5:30, we reunite with our kids
Take them out for supper roti (more walking!)
And an evening swim
Such patience for them to wait for us all day!

So, we set out to do 3 jobs today
Spent 6 ½ hours out
Walked 7.6 km
And completed one and incrementally moved the other two along
Let's rest tomorrow?

Just about ready - to leave again

Tomorrow we're on our way again. As a parting gift, we were given a few hours in another hotel's pool and supper in the attached restaurant. It was nice - a rooftop pool that we had mostly to ourselves. We realized we'd not been swimming for so long that Grace had grown out of her swim wear... so she wore Dad's swim shorts and an extra swim top we had just in case.  Aiden wore himself out attempting to swim back and forth across the pool without any help from any floats. He did pretty well, but not well enough to play in the pool without floatation when Mom gets out. The available lifejackets were a tad bit too big, so it didn't last long.

The supper was fun too. We got club sandwiches and burgers. Aiden hit upon a unique way of eating a too big burger: Use the skewer as handles on either side and eat sidewise on! 

Tomorrow afternoon we get on the train to Penang 

We'll arrive there Friday afternoon 

It has been a good week in Bangkok

 Reconnecting with friends, helping them out as we can

Doing some admin tasks related to starting life in Asia

Walking a whole lot more than we do in Canada 

(I think nearly 10km all told this week!)

Finally getting Jasmin to the dentist who pulled a stubborn baby molar

But we're ready to get to a proper resting place - a home

One more temporary set up

While we find our own place

Hopefully we find it quickly

And the visa allowing us to stay longer

Finds us soon too

Days in Transition

After arrival we have:

Slept a day away (after two nights of in transit more-or-less-no-sleep)
Spent a night awake (waiting for reunification of the family then catching each other up)

Gone out into the city on public transport
(carefully teaching Aiden every moment how to work this life)
Had a late supper and fun evening at a friend's house
(the kids really enjoyed the reintroduction to tropical fruit)

Took a morning to repack our luggage now that there are no weight limits to worry about
(fixing the myriad scattering of last minute stuff it in packing)
Scrambled with barely remembered Thai to buy meals on the street (arguably the cheapest and best)

Spent a day in the hotel room while Michael continued the out and about errands
Playing unpacked board games, imagination games
(and discovering new things in the we've-been-in-here-too-long restless phase resulting in this video...)

Getting Ready to Journey On

Jasmin's friend went back to school today
And we are leaving this afternoon for London by bus
Then by plane this evening for Helsinki
On our way to Bangkok, and then on to our new home in Penang

So this morning has been clothes washing
Rejigging the packing to include souvenirs and not the cold weather clothes
Printing new boarding passes
Charging electronics

Turning thoughts to this next stage of the journey
Reflecting on the week past
Such a lovely oasis of rest in this major cross-world transition
How blessed we are to have come!

Over the weekend we got to explore a different piece of England
We hired a narrow boat
Joined the slow, off-grid life

Through locks and swing bridges

The girls eager to be off boat and helpful

Learning to swing bridges and work locks

Tow path walks, racing the boat

Wonderful meals 

from a tiny galley kitchen

A stop for lunch, a tree climb, an explore

iPhone and mommy read audio books

Bird watching wonders: swans, moor hens

A rat in a squirrel proof bird feeder cage

Lots of dogs to try identify

Crossing over an aqueduct
High above river and rail
Fantastic valley views after the rain cleared

A tiny little wood stove for fending off spring chill
Picking a night's mooring based on fancy
Making beds from builtin benches and tables just like the train

What a wonderful way to end our stay
Slowed and rested
Ready for what's next
I wonder what adventures we'll find
This next week in Bangkok?

Three trains, 1 plane, 2 trains, and a car later

The two of us on the way 

Now in England for a very short stay

Reuniting friends may

Just as they say

Be "the best thing ever"

Tons of talk and tea

Box forts, minecraft, the sillies

Jet lag's mid afternoon zzz's

Shopping and history

So much to do and see

Today in Bath

We visited the Roman baths

A fascinating place

Especially with audio tour players

Feeding extra information in stories into our ears

Absorbing even the less than enthusiastic girls

Jasmin says all museums would be more interesting with these

And Mom agrees

A feat of extraordinary architecture of so long ago

Delightful network of indoor heated swimming pool

For relaxation and healing

The time distance driven home

By the contrast of ground level then and now

A few facts we learned:

England has hot springs

Roman presence in Britain was so established

Later English rule revived and used Roman baths

Roman and local gods were combined

These sacred healing pools were lead lined

Lunch cafe sandwiches

Rounded out with hot chocolate 

Topped with whipped cream and marshmallows

A stop at the bank to exchange outdated pound notes for legal tender

And then a walk around the town

Girls shopping with precious spending money
Absorbing England beauty and sense of history
In everyday buildings and surroundings

Cross-world Countdown Day 2/1

Not sure if tomorrow counts as a day in the countdown since it is departure day
So is today supposed to be day 2 or day 1?

A special breakfast bake with Aiden
Nutella rolls instead of cinnamon buns

Yet again a tidy and clean of the kitchen
A sort of the extra recycling waiting for garbage day

Some time talking over all the jobs left yet to do
And the food plans for the week mommy's gone

Wallets cleaned out of Canadian cards and cash
And restocked with our Asian cards and cash

Passports, permission letters, tickets all set
Suitcases all weighed yet again

The last bedroom prepped to paint
But that can happen after Jasmin and Mom leave

It is sunny outside, so off we go to say goodbye
To the river, a favourite place to play

The clay mud is too cold for more than a few minutes moulding
The wind rather brisk for long rock play

But it is good to be out and free
To have this time to lock in the memories

Jasmin to a friend's for last play goodbye
Supper with NiNi and YeaYea

A last load of laundry
A last comforting pray and snuggle with Aiden

A last read snuggle with Grace
We're off tomorrow

Cross-world Countdown Day 4-3

We've tumbled through the weekend
But we come to the end of it
Full of thankfulness
And confidence
We're ready!

Saturday morning began with a scramble of pancake breakfast and last minute preparations
Like vacuuming one last time, packing yet another box
Then an influx of willing helpers: a team from church
To deliver our give aways to various places around the city
Appointed through a fledgling network born to share church family resources

And then, a beautiful time out for a dear friend's birthday party
That became an even more precious time of sharing and prayer together
New and old friends joined as sisters in Christ - time just whizzed by!
And directly from there to a supper at the home of church members
Sympathetic as a family who has moved enough to know the needs

And an evening of gathering bits and pieces
Testing suitcase capacities and weights
Reconstructing temporary beds (we gave away two of our beds in the morning)
Settling kids in for the night in the familiar rooms made strange

Today more firsts and lasts
Grace and Jasmin presented to the grade 5-6 large group in Sunday School
And received blessing gifts and a party goodbye
We're so well-blessed by our church family!

A potluck lunch and goodbye blessing time with our small group
We've only been together a year and a half
But, oh, how God has woven our lives so tightly together in that time!
Multiple hugs, tears, meaningful words, Scripture blessings,
Rambunctious kid play, shared laughs, all not quite enough to convey what we want to say

This evening a Skype call to Imma,
A final recording of a movie made with neighbourhood kids
Finishing the final scene just in time,
And a flurry of freezer meal preparations
For this in-between week when Dad is cooking

So tomorrow, we can spend time together
Hopefully also some goodbye time
In our favourite outside places locally
And a final supper with NiNi and YeaYea

Cross-world Countdown Day 5

We've worked hard all day
Yet it seems like there is little to show for it
Still piles of things, boxes stacked in the hall
Still 2 suitcases open
Still too much stuff

But

A marathon of phone calls done today
Closing accounts
Switching to overseas status
Changing contact information
Double checking and fixing money routes

Suitcase contents rejigged to be under the weight limit
(Mom forgot (!) that 2 have to be only 50 lbs instead of the usual 75)
A borrowed bike returned
Saturday laundry and vacuuming done early
Must-have groceries bought

And

Dreams of Penang triggered while booking guesthouse accommodations
A retelling (again!) of the long journey it will be for Aiden with Dad and Grace:
Ottawa - Detroit - Seoul - Bangkok - Penang
Three planes and a train
And then, set up a new house - and rest awhile...

Cross-world Countdown Day 6

Long, good sleep last night made today much easier to start
I like there being no routines - for some things
Even Aiden wasn't up until 8

Make shift French toast breakfast from lumps of pumpernickel bread
Wait, our house is awfully cold; I'll turn up the heat
And discover that our furnace is not working

Thankfully we got a guy in to fix it within the morning
Comically he arrived at the same time as some banking phone calls
And a pickup for some borrowed ladders

And all along sorting and packing
Laundry room and garage tackled, and yet another pass at the girls' rooms
The final stretch uncovering (as it always does) that there is too much stuff

A late mini pizza lunch made in part by Aiden
After a trivia game fraught with his angst at not knowing enough
Too cold for a long play outside in the Spring gear we still have out

The give away pile grows exponentially all afternoon
Jasmin takes on a formidable pile of scanning - things we want but can't carry the paper
Grace occupies Aiden with astronomy school and games

Dad does admin
Mom continues the never ending sorting and packing
Suitcases almost all packed - only 2 still open

Time for a break
More tomorrow
then a weekend for people again

Cross-world Countdown Day 7

Or it should be day 6 if we're leaving next Tuesday?
Not sure how the count down got mixed up
Ah well, an awful lot of things are mixed up right now!

A morning at church, one last Woman 2 Woman meeting replete with goodbyes
Grace presenting a slide show of Penang to her class
Aiden sharing goodbye chocolates with his

An afternoon of out and about errands
Tying off banking and other paperwork loose ends
Amid the madly flying snow flurries

An evening of trekking around the house
Boxing this, that, and the other
Around loud kid board games

Now a tired fall into bed
Unwind the mind
Pouring out more lists for tomorrow!

Cross-world Countdown Day 9-8

A long-ago planned trip to Kemptville ServiceOntario
To switch our OHIP to the 5 yr overseas designation
Avoiding a tedious downtown trip with a long wait

A long afternoon sorting and packing
Matching Chinese cards, checking game contents
Upstairs and down

Emptying cupboards and shelves
Twice the normal amount of garbage and recycling
Put out ready for tomorrow's pickup

And the remembrance of three long years ago
Fridge magnet poetry (still there!)
Relevant once again:

An everywhere life

In box and car

A night here

Swirling with dreams

A day over there

Old and new people

Twirling through places

I will go

When travel calls my name

Cross-world Countdown Day 11-10 -- Grace's view

Easter
Get up in the morning
So so so so early
Go to church to sing, sing, sing
Three services
The rest of the family comes at the last one
Sung all morning

Eat yummy lunch
Surprise friend play
Pack for Ni Ni's
Start to go

Get there
Ready for a yummy supper
Shepherd's pie, lasagna
Go to bed

Next day
Wake up late
Play some computer games
Eat a Thanksgiving Easter lunch
Play Blend In
Banana splits!

Make cards
Say goodbye for the second-to-last time
Drive to a friend's house to say goodbye
Drive to CHEO to visit a friend
Drive home, finally

Unpack
Prepare a Sunday School presentation
Rest
Time for bed