Fish Tails of Thailand

We escaped the steaming and screaming streets of Bangkok almost as soon as we landed, with a population of almost eleven million, it was sensory overload as soon as we left the airport. The 34 degree heat was amplified by the black pavement and this combined with street vendors and tuk-tuk drivers calling out for us to either go somewhere or eat something. And it all had my jetlegged brain spinning in circles. I smiled at myself and I thought, does it feel real yet?

It was something we asked each other as soon as Mike quit his job four weeks prior to me doing the same. I asked him this as our living room echoed with emptiness as we packed up everything that made our house a home: does it feel like we're actually going traveling, yet? We've been planing this for well over two years, it's impossible to believe it's actually happening.

He asked me the same question as we spent a few glorious days in Langley, as Mike initially mentioned wanting to spend time with his Grandpa MacLeod and his long time partner Geanie. I quickly agreed, wanting to know what what kind of a man shaped Mike into a MacLeod, and why he was so tied to this last name to begin with (forgive me, I've only ever met Reimer's - all Mike's Dad's side). He so insisted that this last name lives on and would be passed down, and curiously I wanted to know who could have this kind of impact on someone so bold as Mike. The few days we walked within the confines of the cedar rainforest throughout the city of Langley, and spent hours sipping absurdly strong coffee and then dipping into Grandpa MacLeod's home brewed beer while he talked of being in the Canadian Militarily, and he told  his tales of living in Germany, Egypt and, of course, Vanderhoof. It was fascinating hearing of this man's life and finally understanding where some of Mike's personality comes from. It was a fantastic and an easy last couple days in our country.

I was nervous about traveling as a pair. I was a solo girl, through and through; traveling alone is the most selfish I've ever been, as there's no compromising, you either meet travel soulmates and jive or you go in different directions. With Mike, conversations would have to be had on adventure lists and even the amount of time we would spend together. To be so blunt, there was a lot on the line, this six month stint would either ensure that were both committed for the long run or we would end up purchasing his and her houses, we often joked as we anticipate purchasing a second house when returning. We were also eager to move beyond the talks of the long traveling and continue on with our lives with other life changing adventures.

As always, Mike pushed me hard outside my comfort zone, and I pushed right back. We went catfishing for the day, where we were throwing back (no keepsies) 35lbs fish. It was an amazing time to be out of the bustling city of Chiang Mai and get back to basics. He was in his happy place and I was happily out of my element. We completed two hikes, one of which was the monk trail. It's a 5km hike that leads through a meditation retreat at a monk monestary and ends at Doi Suthep one of the highest parts of Northern Thailand. I've wanted to do if since the first trip in 2016, but never found the right partner or courage. I've never sweat so much or been so worn out from the sun.

Traveling with Mike has allowed me to let my guard down on so many levels. His easy going demeanor forced me to relax more on big decisions and not worry so much on the details like walking at night or venturing into empty back roads. In turn, he attended his first yoga class (as promised, no photos were taken) and has agreed to take one with me per country. These past two weeks boundaries have been crossed as Thai food only ends in two ways: constipation or ring of fire. But, also seeing the best of him, when I'm feeling unwell from a bacterial infection and so he does what needed done.

After a few days at my favorite Thai city where I had my fill of mountains and Pad Thai, as per Mike's longings we've packed up our backpacks and have headed to Southern Thailand in search of the ocean. Finally, it feels like we're traveling. It's been amazing.

Kindly,

Kirstin

Travel far enough that you meet yourself 

The Adventure Begins

 The constant hum of the engine calms my soul. After two years of talking and months of constant planning: finding, loosing and then finding solid tenants, quitting jobs and then surviving the long days of checking off the boxes on our ever growing to-do list: uninsuring cars, purchasing malaria medication - twice, returing long lost belongings, giving important documents to family who when tell us to contact them if we need anything, I promise them that we will, I exhale, sit back and sip my coffee while listening to Mike tell our story to the girl beside him:

Snowboarding in Smithers for a season, renovating our house to rent it out (twice), and he mentions the other trips (travel, hunting and fishing) we've taken together and alone. The girl laughs as she tells him it's our first long term travel experience together despite both going to Asia separately. I scroll through Facebook and see past photos of us hiking with Hugo in Smithers and Terrace three years ago, skydiving shortly after that and photos with siblings, friends and babies. The ups and downs in our life together have both been extreme and I wouldn't have it any other way.

And now we're doing it. We found the perfect attire and walked down the isle of the airplane. I'm sardined into the tiny tin can, a friendly reminder that we're still within Canada, begging the first leg of the trip where we will trave thought out south east Asia for six months (After three days of constant travel we Finally made it to our first destination!).

Mike turns around from the seat infront of me (cheap seats mean not always sitting together) where his eyes crinkle and he nods with his facemask on. How ya doing? He asks.

So good.

Kindly,

Kirstin

I'm going to make memories with you all over the world.

8

Unconditional Love

I believe he fell in love with me when I pulled this bitch, Maggie, off of him when we were walking around the field close to our house back when we lived in Calgary. The black and white collie pumbled into him and they rolled off the grass and onto the sidewalk. Hugo just laid there and took it...crying. I ripped her off of him and threw her to the side, and Hugo ran back to our house. He was mine after that, we both decided.

I adopted Hugo eleven years ago from the doggie day-care where his previous owner abandoned him, overweight and alone. Hugo growled at me the first time I saw him, bearing his teeth as he backed into a corner and I bribed him with Milkbown treats to get a closer view. I looked at my then-partner and said that I loved him and wanted to keep him. The next day Hugo effortlessly jumped into the back of my yellow Sunfire like it was somethign he'd always done and he became my rescue dog. Since then, Hugo has rescued me a thousand times over.

My love for Hawkins Cheesies is nothing  compared to Hugo's irrational addiction: two banana chocolate chip loaf, 3/4 of a spiral ham, 9 raw doe buns (1 thrown up and eaten again), all the pasta, all the meat, and pot cookies - twice. Two cups of butter when dog sitting, and many other things I've forgotten about, and failed to keep away as a good dog-mother should.

His people skills improved remarkably when Mike entered our life. As many people will tell you, Hugo is a good boy who feeds off of my own crazy and will protect me at any cost. Any. Cost. Like that time we were trying to rent our house out when Mike was away, Hugo laid on the window sil and growled at the applicants during the entire viewing.

Outside is my happy place, and exercise is what keeps my anxiety down, and Hugo joined me often. I trained for my very first half marathon with him, where he reluctantly ran on miles of pavement and dirt roads, keeping me both safe and sane. We've done many hikes together and he came with Mike and I on a few overnight hikes, despite his fear of fire and preference of being strictly an indoor dog. He followed me everywhere last May when I was feeling unwell and he had a habit of laying outside the bathroom, refusing to leave me and my thoughts alone. He went on countless walks those few months in May when my anxiety took over and broke my spirit and my body, despite his own body getting older and preference to car rides over trekking.

Hugo and I lived in many rentals and went through a few cars together. There were a few times I bitched about him,  but I loved having him by my side. New towns were less daunting when you were never really alone. Despite him not being nearly as contact-ey as me, I'm not sure I could ever find a better companion. He loved me when I needed it the most, and loved me when he shouldn't have; there's still guilt from leaving him to travel, despite him being in GramC's hands. Hugo's been the boy I've loved the longest, and has put up with many good-time loves, and has agreed to share me with my long-time love. He hates loud noises, like the sound of a dishwasher being emptied, and arguments between Mike and I. He'll tolerate carrots but his real love is chicken.

Throughout out this post I've jumped between past to present tense because it was the hardest decision I've ever made, to take him to the vet. I still feel like he's waiting for me, barking and excited, when I get home. Any doorbell that rings, at our house or another, I expect to hear Hugo's bark. I miss the feel of his fur, or when he lays beside me when I do yoga, I still save food for him on my plate.  But his life at fifteen was tiring on him, and in so many ways, as Mike explained, Hugo was telling us it was time. I sat in the backseat of the car, a place he was so familiar with, between adventures and house moves, as he growled at the veterinarian, as only Hugo would do up to the very end. Full of chicken, I held that dog, my love, until he was no longer mine.

As we drove to Charlie's, where Hugo was to rest, on the farm overlooking the river, I thought, Heaven can't possibly be merely about always doing good, but perhaps it's based on how much you were loved. As not at all a religious person, I do hope to god I see him again.

Kirstin

Everyone believes they have the best dog. They aren't wrong.