Trips -n- Growin' for daddy

While the time has gone quite unevently at home, daddy has been out and about for the past three weeks now. Two of the three trips were for professional development, in the city. Though quite broadening as professional experiences they pale in comparison to the school trip to Thailand, about five hours north of Chiang Mai, close to the border with Burma (Myanmar) where the hilltribes are small but calm and quiet and friendly. He spent a week there assisting the students in doing community work, kayaking down rivers, visiting fantastic caves and mingling with the locals. While he was there he was also able to challenge his fear (somewhat) of heights. On the last day of the trip, just outside Chiang Mai, the group visited a place called Crazy Horse. It is a climbing place outside but has a high-ceilinged cave on the inside, whose roof has fallen in bringing in light and a sense of wonder and quiet reverence to it. In this instance we walked around on the outside, then did some basic climbing through a small hole into the cave, and then waited for the guides to set up. From there we all had to zipline across the top of the cave (40 meters above ground and perhaps 15 meters across), reach the other side and wait to be changed over to another system of ropes from where we rappelled down to the bottom. 

In retrospect daddy should probably have taken a bit more time to enjoy the moment, but the focus this time around was to remain calm and keep breathing. It wasn't until he made it half way down that he took a moment to look around, and down, and to notice just how special this experience was. Perhaps the start of something big?  Who knows. The video below was taken by the guide though Irini spends the time just laughing at her daddy being "chubby". :-)  

Two wheelin' in Taipei!

 

The break from school allowed us a few days in Taipei to visit our friends Olma and Pete and their three daughters Sheara, Kiana and Vaire. The girls hit is off instantly and within minutes of meeting the house was echoing with a near constant crescendo of screaming children, happily running from one place to another. The five days were warm and friendly, filled with some down time (when they were in school) and up time (when they were off), some static time (usually on computers) and some active time. But, as we soon discovered, there are bikes-a-plenty at their house. So, with the hosts away in school, why not borrow bikes and helmets and head on out!  It wasn't long before Irini was stating that "I'm only going out if I can take my bike". Mommy, of course, would respond "your bike?!?"  When things are fun we tend to get possessive sometimes. :-)

Temple Adventures

The beautiful thing about Buddhist temples is that they are, by and large, friendly, relaxed places with a good deal of nooks and crannies to take little girls adventuring to. We were worried about taking them to a well-used cultural location, especially without their new friends, but as it turned out there was a good deal of stuff to keep the interest going. Walking up winding walkways, turning this way and that toward open spaces beyond. Scenic views. Once above the colors and textures that exemplify temples in Asia take over. Three dimensional columns; multi-colored roof tiles; cultural and religious sculptures; statues of 'gods' (?) with varied looks (some friendly and others scary, and one with eight arms and five heads). But despite the surreal effect of visiting as a westerner making their way through the praying (and continuously bowing) locals, there is a delightful yet solemn welcoming to these places, a peace that makes you recognize its importance as a place of worship. Add a water feature with - of course - turtles, some steep steps and a few trees to climb and you've got yourself a kid friendly temple popular with this particular group of out-of-town tourists!

Know Thyself

Our girl is growing. She is playing with words and expanding ideas. She is developing a sense of self that is both important and beautiful. Her teachers are asking her to express herself in ways that are new and creative. Every day that passes we are reminded, over and over, just how wonderful our children are. There is arguably no sense more wonderful and heart-warming than the overwhelming pride and love for one's child. Thankfully we get to enjoy that every day. Glykoula, we cannot be prouder of who you are now and who you will become. Thank you for being part of our life and for sharing your cares, your fears, your wonder with us!