Two worlds

I see Rob get into the lonely taxi and my heart sinks a little as he leaves me on the sidewalk in Bangkok. However, soon my eyes clear up and I am FREE!! Only myself to lead and command. I first take a wonderful 2 hour massage and have a yummy lunch. Soon I will board a bus and head down to the tropical paradise of Koh Tao. Everyday, I fly on the trapeze and swim in the ocean with the fish. We rent mountain bikes and I feel like a grade school kid going to my friends house after school. Soon I realize that I miss Rob but I will persevere and enjoy myself. Loving the trapeze I get stronger every day. (soon I hope I can get the video of me flying) The 4th of july comes and we set fireworks off from the roof with wine in our hands. On the last day we head to the caberate and watch the ladyboys sing and dance. (In Bangkok there are three genders, boy, girl, and ladyboy.  i.e. Both people in the first picture are boys)  I thought I would try a skill on the pole! The next day I'm back on the train and up to Bangkok to be reunited with my mindful husband who I know is my favorite travel buddy.

Now to Rob:
You remember the course, 10 days, 10-11 hours a day meditation, no talking, no eating after noon, no problems. Vipassana meditation course number 3, my second 10 day course. Just for fun, lets walk through those days, with some slight exaggeration.
Day 1: "Superman"

I am now an "old student," sitting in the front 3 rows and trying to set the example for the first timers. The center is beautiful, with manicured areas and tons of trees, some in full flower. My room is small, but is all mine, except for the small table and an electric fan. Today I rock the Dharma, and stay still, for almost the entire 10.5 hours. It is good to be back. EGO GROWS!

Day 2: "Mom's fault"

Before Mom (Janet French) left us, she kindly noted a large infected wound on my left heel, and tried to give me antibiotic ointment, and tried to council me in proper wound care. Well she wasn't insistent enough, and should have forced me. As a result of her neglect of her 31 year old son in law. I took off the bandage today that I had left on the last few days. The odor or rot and death hit the walls. I look around, realize I am alone, and then bend close to examine the brown and yellow growth that is now my wound. There is no doubt, the leg must come off, I begin sharpening a steel spoon and fork, I don't know if I can make it. Before this I try soap, let's hope it works. Oh yea, meditation is going well, then I kick a step going to the bathroom and loose my toe nail. Karma sticks some days. EGO shrinks

Day 3 "saved"

The Dharma servers have Betadine! This stuff kills everything except people. I dump as much as a can on the infection and try not to picture myself and my peg leg, during meditation. EGO stays even today.

Day 4 "free flow"

The free flow, is the heroin of meditation. You are warned about it, and you yearn for it. When it comes, "Whatever you do, don't start craving it." Today I have NO pain, my body is on fire with sensation. Wonderful, oh wonderful, oh wonderful. EGO GROWS

Day 5 "signs of trouble"

The free flow, is now a trickle, the pain is coming back, but I cling to the sinking boat. If only I would let go, but I don't. Wonderful! Less worry about the leg, seems the meds work, it is healing. EGO, still growing

Day 6 "shattered"

Today, is the first day of payment. The flow is gone, I couldn't feel my face if you kicked it. My pain is erupting in the mind. I want to quit, I want to run, I want, I want, what I really want is the free flow, but it is gone. Sadness... This day turns it around, somewhere in my silent pains, some sanity starts coming back. EGO Crushed!

Day 7 "staring to build"

I am crawling into the hall, head low, toe hurts, torn skin, but more honest with myself. Superman is gone today, only Rob remains. Today I get to know him more than anytime in the last 8 years of my life. Last time it was like this, was my day leaving the hospital, hardly able to see. Ego, what ego

Day 8 "falling in love"

The honesty of yesterday continues today. I know longer need to run, I can sit again, the physical pain is purely mental and continues to dominate me, and I am okay. Ego, staying honest

Day 9 "the war is over"

The communion of today is amazing. There is no battle, only effort, only learning. It took three courses, and 6 months of daily meditation to come to this place. The experience is worth a life time. Oh yea the foot is healed, sorry Mom it wasn't your fault. Ego, still there but...

Day 10 "talking"

We can talk today! Tomorrow it is back to Leah and Bangkok, my focus is solid, I still need this time to heal up and prepare for the world outside these walls. New friends, that I had only met 9 days ago briefly, are waking up a bit today as well. We have lots to say, but how can you tell anyone what the grand canyon looks like, You can't, they have to go themselves. Ego, something I can work with

Day 11 " Thank you "

A big thank you to all our family, all our friends, all our teachers, all those people that have made this trip possible for the two of us! We still have at least 2 months travel to go, so stay tuned in. Tonight we fly to Mongolia!