Happy Holidays from Bangkok!

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Holiday greetings everyone! We're sending our wishes for a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
Especially at this time of year we miss sharing time with friends and family back in the States.

We feel comfortable with our new city and enjoy living here and learning the subtleties of Thai culture. The people are so kind and considerate. We're settled in a one bedroom furnished condo. It's centrally located and a short walk to the skytrain or the subway. We're really enjoying the food. From restaurants, to food courts to the noodle guy on the street, it's all really very good. We're pretty good at getting around the city and we're always finding something to entertain us.

Nancy joined the American Women's Club and met some really nice people including one woman who invited us to celebrate the launch of her daughter's book, Thai Folk Wisdom, which is a collection by various artists illustrating old Thai proverbs. The daughter is an alumna of Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. The reception and exhibit were held at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Center and the Thai prime minister was present to speak briefly about the artists. It was really fun to see the high society side of Bangkok with lots of great food, drinks, and everyone dressed for the event.

We also made a weekend trip to visit the WWII bridge over the river Kwai at Kanchanaburi, a 3 hour train trip from Bangkok. It is part of a 415km small gauge railway built by Allied prisoners and Asian laborers through mountainous jungle terrain at the cost of about 20,000 Allied prisoners and 100,000 Asians lives. Once in Kanchanaburi, we then took the 2 hour train to the end of the line at Nam Tok crossing some rickety wooden trestles and a number of bridges along the way. Here is a link to a video Dennis took on the train from Kanchanabui to the end of the line in Nam Tok.
The round sections on the bridge at Kanchanaburi are part of the original bridge and the two different sections are replacements for the sections bombed by the Americans.

Thanks again to all of you who wished us well on our adventure and helped send us off without a hitch.

Hope you enjoy the random photos of the sights in and around Bangkok. Have a very Happy New Year!

Nancy & Dennis

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Photos

Image from art exhibit
proverb:Fancy folks with red soles walk on the sides of their feet.

Mass. College of Art alum
proverb: Riding and elephant to catch a cricket

Street food
Our local chicken(gai) guy.

Comments

[Jill]

Merry & cheers!
it looks like the good life to me! sightseeing, swimming, massages, and parties!

[lucillebourdages]

best wishes
Merci Nancy et Dennis de vos bons voeux. A notre tour, une merveilleuse année 2010. Vos photos sont très intéressantes et je vous envie de manger cette nourriture thai.... On vous embrasse tous les deux. Lucille et Jean.

[Hilary]

Many thanks for your good wishes and photos. Happy Holidays to you, too. I also went to the WWII bridge several years ago. Memorable. Enjoy your stay in Thailand. You're right, too. The Thai people are lovely. Hugs, Hilary

[chuck woodbury]

Merry Christmas
If I understand correctly, you guys are now living full time in Bangkok??!! You've got to give me a little more background as to how this came about and what your plans are. All is well here in MN. A lovely white Christmas. Thanks for keeping us on your blog list. chuck

[Daniele Nisewanger]

Happy New Year!
I must say that this was the most interesting Christmas letter yet! Company is arriving today, Bill, Cathy and the girls and Jeff and Ed. Keep on writing I love reading your blogs.Love, Daniele

[Sharrah and the Crew]

Merry christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Hey guys! It's so nice to hear from you! Randall told me that you all were emailing eachother the other day. It is very important to him to keep in touch with you both. Our family had a great holiday this year. We spent it with my parents, and actually had a sleep over at their house! Fun!! All is well in Bend, with beautiful frozen fog weighing down everything, and no mountain in sight! Kind of strange to not at least get a peek of them. Ange had her first accidentthe first day of ice and snow a few weeks back. but she is okay and so were the other people. Just a little wake up call for her to not get too cocky while driving. No harm, no foul.. Miss you both and look forward to seeing more pics! Take care! XOXO

[Karen Lefave]

hello
Oh my-does this bring back wonderful memories! Den remembers vividly the bridge over the river when he was stationed in Thailand 40 years ago! It looks like a great time so far and I am sooo jealous! I promised my "Thai" family I was going back in 2 years to see Mint graduate from university.....maybe you will still be there!!! I talk w/my family weekly-Mint has had a few setbacks w/her illness and wants to wait to hook up with you when she is feeling better....hope that is ok. May enjoyed Christmas here VERY much! It was a joy to see her open gifts on Christmas morning! Well I look forward to hearing from you again...enjoy the New Year- I hear its pretty exciting htere that night! Love, Karen

[Joel]

Sending Well Wishes!
Tammy and I miss you guys so much! I wish there were less miles between us but we are very excited for you guys. It looks like you are settling in and really enjoying yourselves - keep the information and pictures coming! Can't wait to visit - maybe 2010 we will be able to make our way West??!! :) Love you guys, Joel, Tammy and boys