The Final Countdown

It is exactly one month before we fly back to Thailand and we have been very busy preparing for the big move. We've gone through all of our possessions and separated them into lists; store, sell, and take with us.

We are not taking a lot of our things as we are going to get a furnished apartment and much of our furniture is college hand me downs. We've managed to sell our car, truck, motorcycle and most of our smaller possessions. The only thing we have left to sell is our house.

Last week the moving company came and did a survey to determine how many boxes they would need to pack up all of our stuff. They will be back on August 23rd to put everything in a shipping container and an air freight package.

This week we are working on applying for our visas. Eric will need to get a non-immigrant business "B" visa as well as a work permit in order to work in Thailand. I will get a non-immigrant "O" visa, which is for spouses of Thai nationals or those with a "B" visa. There is a lot of paperwork required, but luckily we are getting help!

First Impressions of Thailand

Well, its been a week since we've gotten back from our house hunting trip to Thailand. I can honestly say that a lot of my fears and anxieties about picking up our lives and moving halfway around the world have been dispelled. Before the trip I was about 90% worried about moving and 10% excited, and after the trip those percentages have flip flopped.

I think what really eased my fears was how kind and easy going the Thai people are. Also, the great food and beautiful scenery helped too!

Well, enough of my jibber jabber- on to the photos!!!

Ayuttaya:
This tree has grown around a sandstone Buddha head

The ruins of the old capital of Thailand.

The new HTI Plant

Bangkok:
Chatuchak market: One of the largest markets in Thailand. It is only open on the weekends, but you can buy pretty much any thing there. We only went through a small portion of it.

Our friends Greg and Mary were approached by this group of school girls. Apparently they needed to find Americans and ask them a series of questions. I think they gave Greg a pin for helping them out.Monitor lizards in Lumpini Park
The Reclining Buddha
Decoration around the Grand Palace