I am now back in Bangkok after eight months spent at home in Bucharest. Those were probably the most intense months I have experienced, save perhaps for the first year I came to Thailand (nothing will beat that year). These months left me feeling like I’ve been through an emotional cyclone – I’ve seen hospitals, scars and suffering, and I’ve experienced the horrible feeling of watching someone very dear to me fight unbearable pain without being able to do much to help. I’ve been to a funeral, two weddings, and was there when my two best friends announced their pregnancies. All this made me look at life in a new way and it is also the reason I was mostly absent from the blogosphere – spending time with family and friends took over everything else, even reading and most definitely writing.
Books for sale in central Bucharest
It didn’t really dawn on me I was coming back to Bangkok until the last week – I had a “moment” while in a café & bookshop near Cismigiu Park, a moment when I realized it might be a while before I would be back. It was definitely a goodbye moment, something I didn’t really want to think about but apparently that wasn’t up to me.
And so here I am, and as I made my way out of the Suwarnabhumi airport, I got to experience all over again the overwhelming heat – it’s the hot season and the difference in temperature is shocking, even if Bucharest was warm enough for short sleeves when I left. Bangkok air is heavy and humid and it has an almost liquid quality – it feels as if the air itself pushes its sticky claws into your lungs.
Last Sunday was Easter day and I woke up thinking I should get up and do something before it got too hot to do anything. So I painted some eggs and took some photos and just about managed to avoid the worst of the heat. It’s hellishly hot from around 12 to 5 in the afternoon, which is the time I usually spend watching a movie and reading or aimlessly browsing Facebook posts and lying to myself that I’m just getting settled even if it’s been more than I week since my return and this is my first blog post in a long time.
As for reading, last year I left in the middle of a trilogy – I was reading book two of The Liveship Traders, a wonderful work of fantasy by Robin Hobb, and now I’m almost halfway through the last book. Ships with talking figureheads, a pirate, and a family drama unfolding against a backdrop of political unrest, this trilogy is truly wonderful (even if not as amazing as The Farseer Trilogy).
I’m still participating in the Romanian Writers Challenge and the review for the first book will be posted next week if the internet cooperates. It’s been behaving erratically these past few days.
I look forward settling back into a routine, definitely reading more and hopefully writing more as well. It may take me a while to catch up with all of the blog posts I missed but I’ll get there.
And finally, a squirrel, because why not. I took this photo with my phone, in a park back home, sneaking up on the little creature as it was in the middle of a feast.
Wonderful to see you back, Delia! Hope you had a wonderful time at home, though it seems to have been quite intense from what you have written. Loved the pictures in your post – wish I could visit that book sale in the first picture – just looking at the picture makes me so happy. Also, loved the pictures of the painted eggs and the squirrel. The Romanian squirrel looks quite different and bigger than the squirrel that we find here.
Looking forward to reading your first post for the Romanian literature challenge soon. Happy reading!
It’s good to be back, Vishy. Yes, I went through quite a few challenges at home but now I’m back and ready to see what challenges await me on this side of the world.
The books that sell on the street are cheap but they’re all in Romanian. English books are a lot more expensive. It’s wonderful to just walk around central Bucharest – lots of books for sale just outside, now that the weather is getting warmer.
That’s a big squirrel, I agree. The ones I see in Thailand are about half that size. I was thinking of M—l when I took those pictures, he’s had a few posts about squirrels on his blog. 🙂
Welcome back Delia. Sometimes it is really good to be home.
I am so sorry to hear about the pain that you witnessed.
I am looking forward to your upcoming posts on The Romanian Writers Challenge.
Thanks for the welcome, Brian. It’s good to go home and then it’s good to get back. I find that keeping a balance between these two makes me happy. 🙂
The pain is inevitable, as our loved ones get older and need care, but that is part of life and we can’t hide from it.
I’m polishing up my first review for the challenge, coming up soon.
Has it been eight months? Wow, I feel like just yesterday you were saying about going to Bucharest. I am glad that you got spend quality time with friends and families and sorry about all the sad stuff that happened.
Yes, I can’t believe that either, Athira! It feels like I’ve been gone forever and I certainly didn’t think I’d stay that long but life had other plans.
It was a bittersweet time, but I’d like to think it changed me in a good way.
Welcome back! Your eggs are incredibly gorgeous, I must say — they put any eggs I’ve ever painted in my life far in the shade.
Hi Jenny. Thanks for the nice words. You are very kind.
The eggs looked great but the dye came off on my fingers when I took them out of the fridge. Do invite me over when you dye your eggs, I love to see other people’s Easter pictures. 🙂
Delia, you are here again. Finally! It’s feels SO good to read your post again. Sending you love, hugs, and loads and loads of good vibes. I missed reading your posts.
Take your time to settle down. Please chill as much as you can, for you seem to have had a whirlwind of eight months. 🙂
The eggs look colourful. Thank you for posting those pictures. And saying hello to the little guy there! 🙂
Such a warm welcome. 🙂 Thanks, Deepika.
It’s been a trying time but now I enjoy being back (and slowly melting in the 38 degrees C heat).
The little guy was quite alert but not a big fan of paparazzi. I understand, I wouldn’t like them either, especially when I’m enjoying my food. 😉
Yay welcome back, Delia! You’ve been missed!
I’m.sorry.to hear some.of your time home was painful! But it’s wonderful you got to reconnect with friends and family.
Those.Easter eggs look wonderful and yay a.squirrel! Have a great week!
Thanks Bina, that’s very kind of you.
It was a mixed bag to be sure, going home. I’m glad to be back. I missed blogging and my blogging friends. 🙂
Eggs and squirrel go well together, don’t they? And books too, because why not. 🙂