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We spent 4 amazing nights during the Thanksgiving (and Eid) break on a boat in the Sundarbuns. As the world's largest mangrove forest in one of the lowest sea level countries in the world (remember Al Gore and sea levels predictions ... yep that was Bangladesh) and the last refuge for the Bengal tiger it's an extremely special place. The weather was perfect, food was tasty, and the scenery breathtaking. The tour company has three boats of varying sizes. Our's had room for about 40 people but there was plenty of room ... even though sound traveled quite well. But I don't want to nitpick and whine about a few small issues and ruin an otherwise perfect Bangladeshi vacation.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
A bit late with this post ... but I finally have to put up some of the photos. It was an amazing experience (although one that completely physically and mentally drained me) with excellent acting talent across the board (these people gave everything over and beyond), a loud shouting insane but genius director, fabulous sets, superb lighting and sound, and overall my performance for a while. I think I'll concentrate on some other things. It was an incredible way to go out ... trust me it's hard acting crazy for 3 hours on stage!
The ward staff (all female cast) ... this worked out with some small alterations.
The crazies
Make-up .. thankfully it was not too overboard.
Peter gets lipstick!
Chief ... 1st time acting!
"what you talking about willis?" pose
McMurphy meets the Chief .. Billy (Berkly Mason) peeks on
Playing cards ... the new guy scares us a bit
Dialing in channel 4 .... the nuts go crazy
Chief and nurse (Chloe) staring out into something
Complaining about meds
The 'ceremony'
Shock therapy (in back) and chief roars ... still gives me chills. There's a nursery rhyme "wire, byre, limber lock ..." that is featured throughout the tale which Chief and McMurphy talk about. I recorded my 3rd grade students singing it and as the shock scene is played out and Chief starts roaring and singing it the lights go out and there are my students mildly creepy falsetto recording of them singing it.
One of the 20 lines throughout the play ... delivered with gusto!
"No playing ball in the ward!!" "But we got the championships next week!"
Peter and his "bomb"
Stealing cigs ... (we never smoked on stage but I was always sneaking a few into the pockets)
The ward staff (all female cast) ... this worked out with some small alterations.
The crazies
Make-up .. thankfully it was not too overboard.
Peter gets lipstick!
Chief ... 1st time acting!
"what you talking about willis?" pose
McMurphy meets the Chief .. Billy (Berkly Mason) peeks on
Playing cards ... the new guy scares us a bit
Dialing in channel 4 .... the nuts go crazy
Chief and nurse (Chloe) staring out into something
Complaining about meds
The 'ceremony'
Shock therapy (in back) and chief roars ... still gives me chills. There's a nursery rhyme "wire, byre, limber lock ..." that is featured throughout the tale which Chief and McMurphy talk about. I recorded my 3rd grade students singing it and as the shock scene is played out and Chief starts roaring and singing it the lights go out and there are my students mildly creepy falsetto recording of them singing it.
One of the 20 lines throughout the play ... delivered with gusto!
"No playing ball in the ward!!" "But we got the championships next week!"
Peter and his "bomb"
Stealing cigs ... (we never smoked on stage but I was always sneaking a few into the pockets)
Vietnam
The main reason in visiting Vietnam was to meet up with some old Damascus friends. Eric and Tessa from Indonesia, and Aaron, Megan, and Owen from Cambodia (they are heading back to Canada). Nice beach with soft sand, nice old town, lots of garment shops (beautiful winter coats), excellent seafood from grimy road side restaurants, free bikes, friendly locals and tourists, good beer, and really cheap. Almost no haggling needed.
The small but significant reunion. Who's missing a baby?
Aaron, Megan, and Owen on the rooftop Cafe
The ladies (and Owen) in Hoi An
One of the many eateries that line the road. Lots of fresh fish. Good spring rolls and fried calamari
Aaron, Megan, and Owen on the rooftop Cafe
The ladies (and Owen) in Hoi An
One of the many eateries that line the road. Lots of fresh fish. Good spring rolls and fried calamari
The Aaron
The Beer (La rue)
The market ....
There are only primitive vehicle and walkers allowed in the old city.
Old man ... Photo op!
The French and Portuguese influence of old Hoi An.
The Japanese bridge
Lazy ricksaws drivers .. they pedal from behind.
Venice? Paris?
Lots of roof top eateries and cafes ... a nice night life atmopshere
A very ominous gale blew in but we kept fishing ... I guess it did not matter since we were never more than 30 feet from shore.
The captain ... into the heart of darkness.
This was my only catch ... very dangerous he said. In all we caught 3 types of fish. The most exciting being a 'puffer' fish that the guide starting beating and throwing on the deck in order to get it to "puff" up which it did ... then looked quite dead. After throwing it overboard and watching it float a while (to our dismay) it recovered, deflated, and swim off happily.
Aaron was off to a quick lead with four of what we named spiny tiger fish.
Be proud!
She was a sea worthy vessel but rocked easily.
Adam tried the basket boat.
The gang looking particularly bad ass with the baskets!
Babies in baskets which the locals warned us "very dangerous".
A Sweet Parent Letter
It's the last day of school and I was cleaning out the email. I really have to share this letter from a parent. I had their daughter in 1st and 3rd grade and Carrie had the son this year in Kindergarten. A very sweet family and a nice letter of thanks.
Dear Matthew and Carrie
†
Hi our lovely respectful teachers!!! Hope you're well with your sweet and pretty Elizabeth.
†
We don't know how to thank you for your great and enthusiastic and dynamic teaching toward
Our Jiah and Jisu respectively.
†
Jiah has been changing many points with good improvement of all general English skill since
God bless for us to meet you(Matt) in this year.
Meanwhile Jisu who was real naughty boy by the way now he is getting much better on your(Carrie)
Special love and teaching wisdom. †I.m sure that Jiah and Jisu enjoyed their school life with all of your
wonderful efforts in this year.
†We are really appreciated to all of your help and love to our kids again and we wish you would
† be maintain the best health all the time and some more opportunities of main teacher for our
† Jiah and Jisu on next time as long as you are staying at AISD.
†
† Please pray for Jiah and Jisu having the better future on their best in Him.
† Look forward to keeping in touch each other and We will continue always to pray for your family
† to be the best life in Him!!!
†
†Have a good summer vocation and see you soon again.
(Beginning of the year)
Dear Mr.McEwen,
†
This is Million, Jiah's Father!!! Hope y are fine with good health.
First of all, I am really happy to see you again at the school as a Main teacher
of our Jiah in this 3rd Grade.
Moreover your wife Mrs.McEwen is our Jisu's(Jiah's yonger brother) Main teacher
so I and Kid's Mom Mrs.Park also are very happy of it too.
Hope it would be wonderful school year 08~09 for us.
Let's keep in touch each other frequently if time is convenient for you.
†
Meanwhile I would like to ask y that our Jiah's English ability for now and i need
to know what we have to help for her at home and how to develop her English
skill for easy study at the class after school.
Really i need your vivid guide for Jiah's English improvement???
Pls give me your candid opinion for her ability of English and guide me what
we need to help her at home also is it necessary for her to do extra study
at home after school with Native speaker i f so pls let me get your introducing
for the proper teacher for us???
Pls advise me asap on your best cooperation.
†
In the meantime, I need 3M's web address for our ref and easy comminication
between y and us.
†
Look forward to hearing your kind response as soon as possible in your convenient
time.
†
†
Best Rgds,
Dear Matthew and Carrie
†
Hi our lovely respectful teachers!!! Hope you're well with your sweet and pretty Elizabeth.
†
We don't know how to thank you for your great and enthusiastic and dynamic teaching toward
Our Jiah and Jisu respectively.
†
Jiah has been changing many points with good improvement of all general English skill since
God bless for us to meet you(Matt) in this year.
Meanwhile Jisu who was real naughty boy by the way now he is getting much better on your(Carrie)
Special love and teaching wisdom. †I.m sure that Jiah and Jisu enjoyed their school life with all of your
wonderful efforts in this year.
†We are really appreciated to all of your help and love to our kids again and we wish you would
† be maintain the best health all the time and some more opportunities of main teacher for our
† Jiah and Jisu on next time as long as you are staying at AISD.
†
† Please pray for Jiah and Jisu having the better future on their best in Him.
† Look forward to keeping in touch each other and We will continue always to pray for your family
† to be the best life in Him!!!
†
†Have a good summer vocation and see you soon again.
(Beginning of the year)
Dear Mr.McEwen,
†
This is Million, Jiah's Father!!! Hope y are fine with good health.
First of all, I am really happy to see you again at the school as a Main teacher
of our Jiah in this 3rd Grade.
Moreover your wife Mrs.McEwen is our Jisu's(Jiah's yonger brother) Main teacher
so I and Kid's Mom Mrs.Park also are very happy of it too.
Hope it would be wonderful school year 08~09 for us.
Let's keep in touch each other frequently if time is convenient for you.
†
Meanwhile I would like to ask y that our Jiah's English ability for now and i need
to know what we have to help for her at home and how to develop her English
skill for easy study at the class after school.
Really i need your vivid guide for Jiah's English improvement???
Pls give me your candid opinion for her ability of English and guide me what
we need to help her at home also is it necessary for her to do extra study
at home after school with Native speaker i f so pls let me get your introducing
for the proper teacher for us???
Pls advise me asap on your best cooperation.
†
In the meantime, I need 3M's web address for our ref and easy comminication
between y and us.
†
Look forward to hearing your kind response as soon as possible in your convenient
time.
†
†
Best Rgds,
Thunderstorms
The rainstorms started a couple weeks ago and have made for some interesting nights and relaxing weekends indoors. They usually last an for no more than an hour but make up for it in their intensity. Of course that's not what this one was about ... mild downpour with a twist of E on the end. At least it cools the city off for a bit. Enjoy!
Kuala Lumpur
It's always nice to travel to a place where people drive in the lanes, line up nicely, and there are malls. Remember where we live. After the wedding we spent two nights at the Traders Hotel. The view of the Petronas Towers was amazing and was there was a mall and fabulous park right outside.
The view at night and out our hotel window.
Elizabeth finds the cookie stash and is allowed to indulge because it's 'vacation'
Elizabeth at the California Pizza Kitchen using those crappy crayons they give kids.
We visited the aquarium and were so impressed with the moving tunnel that we went through twice. (watch for the video soon)
E enjoyed in experience for a short while but in the end seemed more interested in the people then fish and went to sleep in the stroller.
Sleep sleep sleep
Sleep sleep sleep
In the park outside the hotel there was a place to play in the water with fountains and waterfalls. We didn't but it was a nice thought especially since there would be no way in hell we could do this in Dhaka.
The park also had a HUGE playground that went on and on and on.
E loved the bouncy horse
Using the stroller in the mall proved effective and we learned to use the escalators and elevators with a new found appreciation.
Hanging out in the hotel room was heaven .. (watch for the bathtub video)
In all, it was a wonderful vacation .. we had not left Dhaka since October and we were getting itchy. Elizabeth's expression sums it up perfectly. We figure it's cheap enough to fly to KL for the weekend on Air Asia with empty suitcases and do shopping as needed.
The view at night and out our hotel window.
Elizabeth finds the cookie stash and is allowed to indulge because it's 'vacation'
Elizabeth at the California Pizza Kitchen using those crappy crayons they give kids.
We visited the aquarium and were so impressed with the moving tunnel that we went through twice. (watch for the video soon)
E enjoyed in experience for a short while but in the end seemed more interested in the people then fish and went to sleep in the stroller.
Sleep sleep sleep
Sleep sleep sleep
In the park outside the hotel there was a place to play in the water with fountains and waterfalls. We didn't but it was a nice thought especially since there would be no way in hell we could do this in Dhaka.
The park also had a HUGE playground that went on and on and on.
E loved the bouncy horse
Using the stroller in the mall proved effective and we learned to use the escalators and elevators with a new found appreciation.
Hanging out in the hotel room was heaven .. (watch for the bathtub video)
In all, it was a wonderful vacation .. we had not left Dhaka since October and we were getting itchy. Elizabeth's expression sums it up perfectly. We figure it's cheap enough to fly to KL for the weekend on Air Asia with empty suitcases and do shopping as needed.
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