The naughty suitcase and other misadventures

Again, our renegade suitcase containing all our clothes went missing on our trip from Bangkok to Phnom Penh. I'm not sure of the bright spot this time, but I'm glad it is finally here.

Other than that, we are settling into life in Cambodia quite well. The noise, smells, dust and mossies are just as expected. In remembering these things, I had forgotten how good it is to be back amongst like-minded people who inspire and challenge us. Friends have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome and the kids have settled back into school with ease. One teacher commented that the school now felt complete with the West-Newmans back.

Our youngest, Mr Happy, is probably faring the worst. His life has been turned upside-down. He remembers occasional things like the houses with the pointy noses (the local pagoda) but he has forgotten things like Mum and Dad's ability to speak in some strange language that he cannot understand (which he finds particularly annoying). He has also started at pre-school which he enjoys once he settles into it for the day (but finds scary at first).

The upshot of all this major change is that he is having bad dreams and is afraid of falling asleep at night. I've taken to sleeping by his side which brings him great comfort, and me very little.

At least our suitcase has now arrived and I have fresh clothes in the morning even if my eyelids are still a little shabby.

A rest under the Juniper Tree

2010 was an intense year. Living with a Masters student who received a Dean's Commendation for High Achievement, it could be nothing other than intense.

So were were looking forward to a brief 10 day holiday in Thailand before heading back to Cambodia for another three years. It could have been a week or two longer if we left Australia earlier but there was no way we were missing our first Christmas on Aussie soil for seven years.

After flying through Sydney to Bangkok, the plan was to catch a pre-arranged taxi / minivan from the airport to the Juniper Tree in Chiang Mai. This would save us hours of waiting at the airport in the middle of the night for another flight and we could sleep through half the trip until the sun rose.

Imagine our surprise when we awoke at dawn at the beach in Southern Thailand. The taxi driver had taken us to the wrong Juniper Tree hours in the opposite direction. The children were delighted to run, collect shells and build sandcastles while we problem solved. Fortunately, there was a room available for the night and we were able to rest up for a long taxi ride the following day.

The taxi company owner himself arrived before dawn in his own car. It was a sedan, not the mini-van we were expecting. After more discussion, we decided to take it anyway... hoping it would be faster at least.

Thirteen hours. Cramped in a Toyota Camry with one Thai driver and his Khmer magic markings, two weary parents, three active kids, four suitcases (we fortunately lost one in Sydney), five pieces of hand luggage and numerous fuel stops at places like Tankomart, we arrived in Chaing Mai with New Years crackers firing.

We were greeted by our lost luggage and a plate of sandwiches, relieved that the trip and 2010 was over. We survived both remarkably well and even enjoyed parts. Thank God.

Maybe there is a sermon illustration or some sage advice for travelling parents amongst this, but first I just need to rest a while under the Juniper Tree.