Confessions of a Taxi Driver

I have met and dated some very handsome, good men who I've met in very different places and under very different circumstances. Some I met in class at school, others I met at church. Some I met through my work, others I was introduced by a mutual friend or by a family member. There was a time I winked at a boy in my class, the time a boy told me he heard I was dating the most handsome man at church and I simply said, "I didn't realize you and I were dating." There was the boy my soul fell in love with at first glance but I refused to allow it for several years and the gave into him. I will never be the same.

I've also turned men down. There was the boy who thought I needed company while running, the man who just loved to hear me sing, the guy who insisted after only a few minutes of knowing me that we must be soul mates, the one who asked for my friends phone number after I told him I didn't think it was gunna work and others. I've hid from men in the bathroom, given men the wrong name, I've told men I just want to be friends.

The moments of confession of love have come in many different ways and different places. Cooking a new recipe in the kitchen, horse back riding through the streets of Rexburg, walking temple grounds, an emotional conversation, a kiss on the porch...such fun memories.

With that said, let me tell you about my cab ride earlier this week. The ride seemed normal as far as cab rides go. I was on my way to the airport and the cab driver asks me in Thai which way I wanted to go. I preferred the expressway. He took a turn heading in a direction that I hadn't gone before. I wasn't concerned but interested to see if this would be any faster. Along the way the driver asked me questions, like most taxi drivers. How long have I been in Thailand? Do I like it? What work do I do? Am I here alone or with family? I tried in my best Thai to understand each question and reply but there times when I had to tell him "Mai cow jai", I don't understand. He asked my name and I told him. He was nice and it was fun to practice speaking Thai. Then he asked for my phone number. In Thailand it's not uncommon to have a taxi driver's number and he he have yours so you can call on him when needed yet I felt a little funny about it. But, as it's important in Thai culture not to make someone lose face I thought it would be ok to give him my phone number...a little jumbled up and take his number for any future need. But then the conversation started getting a little uncomfortable. He started telling me that I'm beautiful. "Yes," I responded, "Thailand is beautiful, I like it here". He said other things that I didn't understand. Then he said, "I love you". Oh! um...well...thank you. It was kind of cute because after he said it he blushed and got all shy but it was still creepy. I wasn't sure what to say so I just sat back and looked out the window. Then he pulled out his phone, took my phone number and dialed. Oh crap! Well the phone number obviously didn't ring through to my phone. I ignored that and soon enough we arrived at the airport. He asked which door I wanted and I just told him to stop where he was, I handed him my money (which ended up being the most expensive cab ride to the airport I've ever had here) and he tried to give some of it back. I declined and insisted that he keep the money and scooted out as quickly as I could.

And that is the story of the confession of love of my taxi driver.

1 Year Anniversary

Yesterday marked the end of my first year in Thailand. I can't believe its been a whole year! As I look back over all that has happened I am so pleased at all I was able to fit in! And so grateful for the amazing experience it has been. From massages, to manicures, to elephant rides, to lazy days on the beach and amazing diving adventures, to being in 7 different countries, to visits from family and friends, to making new "family" and friends, to my first karaoke experience, to numerous markets, new foods, learning to accept the discomfort of constantly sweating, challenging my body in a new exercise program, and challenging my patience serving in church working with the children and growing to love them dearly, and challenging my intellect while learning a new language and my professional skills while learning a new job and the list goes on and on and on! My heart is so full. I'm definitely looking forward to all the challenge, adventure and excitement that lies in wait for the next year.

A huge thank you to IRC who gave me the chance to be here, to those of you who encouraged me as I worked through the decision stages prior to my move and those of you who have supported me through your friendship (whether near or far) while I transitioned from my comfort zone to find comfort in my new zone. And most importantly, a mighty thank you to my God and Savior who are constantly by my side offering guidance and direction and a lift as often as I need it. Without them I am nothing. It is my faith that gives me the strength to be the woman I am. I dedicate my life to them through the work of my hands to help others. May my daily offering gain me favor in their sight, that they will continue to bless and strengthen me that I may continue easing the burdens of others and lifting their spirits.

Here's to the next 365 days and all the adventures awaiting me!

Halong Bay, conclusion

Oops, I forgot I hadn't finished blogging about this trip!

On Day 3 I woke up at 4:30 a.m. It was already light outside. I laid in bed and watched the sun rise past the horizon, into the sky. We ate breakfast and then I packed up and was taken ashore. The boat I was on was headed back to the starting point but I was scheduled to have another night on the bay so I had to switch to a different boat. On shore I met up with my new boat mates. The plan was to start the day with our choice between a hike or bike ride. We all opted to do the hike owing to the amazing vista promised at the end. We started on our way and I began to be a little nervous as I saw people returning from the hike with shoes covered in mud. I wondered if my Teva's would be sturdy enough for what we were about to face. Others in my group were wearing flip flops but we were assured it would be fine. The hike was steep and indeed very muddy! It took over an hour to climb to the top of the hill. The weather was HOT and humid. We were all sweating so bad we were soaked. At the top the view was nice but there was a platform about 40 stairs high and the view from there was amazing!...And then it was time to go back down the trail, which proved harder than going up. By the end our feet were covered in mud but there was a nice pool of water where we rinsed off, enjoyed a cold drink and relaxed before loading the bus and heading off to lunch.

Lunch was very similar to the lunch of the previous day...in fact it was almost identical...but delicious all the same. You won't hear me complaining about seafood! At lunch I got to know my new friends a bit. A very diverse, fun group of people. I feel lucky to have met so many great people! After lunch a bus came to pick us up but it wasn't the same bus that had dropped us off which worried me since I had left my backpack on the other bus. At each stop prior to lunch we had been told to leave our belongings on the bus so I wrongly assumed we were to do the same this time. Our tour guide assured me he would recover my luggage. I hoped he was able to recover the bag with all its belongings. I didn't let it worry me and went ahead and boarded the bus which took us to the pier where we boarded a boat that took us to monkey island where we would have time to swim and hang out on the beach. Since I didn't have my bag I didn't have my swim suit so I decided to go on another hike in search of the monkeys the island was named for. No one else was interested with the memory of our morning hike still lingering in their legs so I headed off on my own. As I began the hike I was excited at the possibility of seeing monkeys...I LOVE MONKEYS!!! And then I realized that I was all alone, which isn't the smartest idea. And then I got nervous that I might actually see a monkey! Monkeys aren't exactly as cute and snuggly up close as they look from a distance. I've heard stories of people who've been attacked by monkeys. I continued the hike and then got to a point where the direction of the trail became unclear. I poked around a bit and then heard rustling in the trees. It made me a little nervous but I continued exploring. I heard the rustling again and decided it was time for me to turn back. I was too nervous that it might be a monkey. :-) On my way down I passed another single hiker and noticed he had a beer in his hand. We greeted each other, I told him I was unable to find my way to the top and he went up and I headed down. I reached the beach and shortly thereafter several monkeys made their way to the beach. I sat and watched them play. There was a mom and her young baby that were particularly of interest to me. What joy it gave me to watch the young monkey cuddle with its mom and then slowly venture out to play with something only to be startled and sent running back to the security mom's arms. It reminded me of the tremendous importance of motherhood. A role not to be underestimated or undervalued.

Then I saw the hiker I'd run into before ordering another beer. I asked him if he'd found the top. He said no, that shortly after we'd met up a monkey came out of the trees and stole the beer out of his hand! He showed me the picture of the monkey drinking his beer, hilarious! He said it scared him half to death. He was still a bit shaken. I'm glad I decided to come back when I did!

After enjoying the monkeys, the beach and the water we climbed back on the boat and headed back to the Cat Ba island. Both on our way to and from Monkey Island I found myself engaged deep in conversation with a 5 year old boy from Australia or maybe New Zealand? can't remember now, with an imagination the size of Texas! He wanted to play the "what if" game. What if the waters were infested with water. What if a snake came after me. What if, what if, what if. It was so cute! There was also a 10 year old girl from Indonesia. She was a joy. When we reached Cat Ba island she made me a bracelet from small flowers growing all around.

The sun went down and we loaded the boat I would spend the night on. Dinner looked like lunch. I'm beginning to think the menus are all the same! Still yummy, but very funny. We all had a good laugh about the never changing menu. I met new people, a reporter for a Vietnamese paper, a Scottish man just living the life in Vietnam and a Vietnamese couple. After good food and great company I headed to the top deck to enjoy another starry night and then tried to fall asleep while others were enjoying karaoke. My room was situated just in the right place so I could hear EVERYTHING happening on the boat. I could hear what was going on in the kitchen, people going up and down the stairs and lots of karaoke. I didn't get much sleep that night.

In the morning we had breakfast and began to head back to the mainland. Sailing out of the bay was just as beautiful as it had been on our way in. None of us could stop taking pictures. Then we arrived to the icon of Vietnam. Two islands side by side that look like two birds kissing.

My time in Vietnam was definitely a highlight of my first year in south east Asia. There are so many reasons to come back!