CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO DIGITALNOMAD HOMEPAGE

Click here to go to Travel Notes Table of Contents

2005-2008

When I returned to Thailand from my last big journey, Nee was at the airport waiting for me.  We returned Udon Thani and I took up my teaching job at Rajabhat University in Udon Thani.  My friend Clem had accepted a job at Thammasat University in Bangkok so I took over his apartment and we set up housekeeping.  Nee opened a beauty shop and her son Top lived with us. 

In November of 2005 we were married in a village ceremony in Ban Yang Um (Nee's village).  And I happily settled into domesticity.  After a while, we decided to buy property in Udon and build a house.  Click here for details

In March of 2007 we went to America.  Nee was very excited.  We arrived in LA and spent a few days with my friend Avram.  We went to Disneyland and the beach in Santa Monica.  We visited the La Brea Tar Pits and went to a game show taping.  We visited my Aunt and Uncle.

Then we hit the road in a rental car.  We headed for Las Vegas and there we were married for official purposes.  This avoided the hassle of registering our marriage in Thailand which can be bureaucratically difficult.   After Vegas we saw Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon and lots of nothing.  Nee was amazed at the open spaces with so few people.

In Dallas we visited my dad and Joy.  My cousins Ruth and Aynn and my Aunt Jean flew in to visit.  I showed Nee around Dallas and we visited my oldest friends David and Carol.  Then we stopped off for a night with my cousin John in Little Rock and spent another night with my niece Alli and her husband Dave.

After a few days of luxury accommodations with my sister and John we turned west.  Driving through a spring blizzard we stopped in Limon, Colorado for the night.  The next day we visited Buffalo Bill's grave and then stayed the night in Glenwood Springs.  We enjoyed our swim in the large thermal pool and had a great dinner.

West by way of Idaho we headed for Corvallis.  I visited friends and family.  I spent one day with my son Brentley and a day with my daughter Heather.  My ex-wife Diana had graciously agreed to store my stuff and since we were building a home in Udon, I decided to ship the goods to Udon.  We stayed at Diana's house while I sorted and packed my stuff.  This would prove to be a big mistake.  Nee became very upset during our visit.  Apparently, in Thailand, it is very unusual for divorced people to be on good terms. 

After leaving Oregon we travelled south along the Pacific Coast Highway.  We took the usual souvenir photos at the Golden Gate.  And, after a few days with Avram we returned to Udon.

About two months after we returned, Nee left me.  She said she was jealous of my first wife.  I kept hoping she would return but after several months I gave up and made plans to hit the road again.  At the end of the school term in March, I sold most of my stuff, put a dab in storage, dusted off my back pack and bought my airline tickets.

Who knows what adventures await me.

12-13JUL2004 Vilnius is a beautiful city with no road signs to clutter up the view.  My Finnish friend, Lassi is on his motorcycle heading south to tour central Europe.  By the miracle of email we we're able to arrange a rendevouz at the Fileretu Hostel in Vilnius.  That, of course, assumes that I could find the place.  After patient directions from several people and an hour and a half of aimless wandering, I managed to reach the hostel.

I had made a reservation by email and so when I tried to check in I was discouraged to find it was full.  Even worse, how would I find Lassi.  The receptionist said, "just a moment.  I will find you a place."  When I asked if a Finnish man on a motorcycle was in the hostel she said, "Don't worry, he is in the same place."  We both ended up in the same room in a nearby student dormitory.  It was late when we began to search for a beer.  Most bars and restaurants close at midnight but we were able to talk a bartender into one beer.

The next day we walked the streets of the old part of Vilnius and generally admired the scenery and the beautiful women.  I enjoyed the view but according to Lassi, Latvian women are the most beautiful in the world and also have the longest legs.  I couldn't wait to visit Riga.

We had a special Latvian lunch.  I had pig ears with mashed potatoes and gravy.  The ears had an interesting crunchy texture.  Mmmm, ears.  Lassi even ate one.

Through a pure stroke of luck, we were present on the day of the inauguration of the new president of Lithuania.  There was a special classical concert in the main square and after we climbed to the top of the tower mount we settled in for a few beers and some great music.

The next morning Lassi went south and I went north.  I'm sure I'll meet him again someday.  Already we have crossed paths four times.

Click here to go to Travel Notes Table of Contents

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO DIGITALNOMAD HOMEPAGE