Travelling home to a blizzard

It was a race against mother nature trying to get home last night.  But I made it.  And so did all of the other around the world travellers.  Several found alternate flights closer to their homes but most of us took a flight into Newark, NJ since our original flight to Phila was cancelled. 

Imagine coming from this:

To this:

My driveway

my front yard

In a span of 24 hours and after 5 weeks in tropical weather conditions!

Our flight from Honolulu left on time (11:20).  We had a 4 hour layover in Denver then we were to arrive in Newark at 6:30 p.m.  I reserved a ticket on Amtrack to DC on the last train: 8:23 scheduled to arrive in DC at 11:23 p.m.  However, while in Denver I heard reports that Amtrack closed its routes South of New York and with up to 30 inches of snow now expected in the DC area, would the Metro be running?  would I be able to get a taxi in Silver Spring even if I reached it?  I would have been stranded!

I think my lucky silk scarf given to each of us when we left Nepal by our friend Tek helped us.  A nice tailwind brought us into Newark 40 minutes earlier.  Kara, another student, and I (plus I nice German woman who needed our help) ran to catch an earlier train at 6:43. We made it just seconds before it departed!  This got us into DC at 9:50.  Catherine and Carter braved the severe conditions to drive to the metro to get me.  I could barely get through the snow with my bag and it was cold!!!

But, I made it! and i am happy to be home snuggled with my family to watch the snow fall.

Thursday: Last day in Hawaii

Waiting to go to the airport for our 11:20 p.m. flight to Denver.  We woke up today to find out that our original flight to Phila. was cancelled because of the pending snowstorm on the East Coast.  We are now diverted to Newark, NJ and scheduled to arrive at 6:30 p.m.  I then plan to take a train to D.C. and metro home to Silver Spring.  I will not arrive until mid-night. 

Of course I didn't let this bad news spoil my last day in O'ahu.  After Laura and I contacted all the students and made new flight plans, my friend Jeremy took me to Hanauma Bay to go skin diving.  It was a beautiful day.

Hanauma Bay. Can you see the coral reef?

Jeremy

After skin diving, Jeremy drove me along the coast of Kailua Bay and we stopped for fish and chips at a local restaraunt.

I'm off the airport now.  I can't wait to see everyone so I'm hoping I will not be stranded in Denver or Newark!

Wednesday in O'ahu: Final Presenations and Cruise

The students gave their final reports today.  Set up in teams of 4-5, they reported on their experiences in Ghana, UAE, Nepal, and Thailand comparing and analyzing their experiences in relation to how culture, religion, and political systems impact people with disabilities.  The students gave their oral reports to their peers as well as to facutly and staff of the Center for Disability Studies (CDS) at the University of Hawaii.

CDS staff also presented to the students on newborn screening, response to intervention initiatives, and Pac Rim cultural issues related to disabilies. 

Dr. Robert Stodden, Director of the Center on Disability Studies gave opening remarks.

Norma -Jean Stodden gave an overview of the Disabilities Studies program; Jean Johnson provided information on newborn screening; Steve Brown talked about cultural differences in Hawaii and the Pacific Rim and how those cultural differences and isolation of the islands impact services for pwd; Kiriko Takahashi also reviewed Pac Rim programs; Leslie Lopez and Kati provided an update on their Federally funded project related to culturally responsive "response to intervention."

I was very proud of our students.  They demonstrated through their oral reports how much they learned during the trip.  Each team provided 30 minute oral presenations and then took questions.

 

Kathleen, Kelly, Meghan, Jessica, and Katie report on the impact of poverty on disabilities in the countries we visted.

Monique, Kera, and Illana

Katie, Emily, Julie, and Amy present on Awareness across the countries

After a full day of presentations, we were ready for our final excursion -- a sunset catamaran cruise.  From 5 - 8 p.m. we cruised by Waikiki Beach and watched the sun set and the stars come into view while we ate Hawai'in fare.

skyline of Waikaki Beach

Jon and Amy looking just like the famous scene on "Titantic", right?

Erik, Laura, Michael, and Rachel

dancing on the catamaran after sunset

Me on the boat with the view of Diamond Head behind me-- the volcano crater we climbed yesterday.

I think everyone had a lot of fun.

Tomorrow is our last day here.  We leave the campus at 9:00 p.m. for an 11:30  p.m. flight.

Tuesday in Hawaii

Tomorrow is the big day.  Our students will present in teams on thematic topics.  The topics include how poverty, awareness, political systems, religion, and inclusion in these countries impact people with disabilities.

Students spent a large part of the day working on their team projects

Staff and students from the Hawaii Center on Disability Studies are coming to hear their presentations.

It rained hard much of the day which made it a little easier for the students to concentrate on their work instead of thinking about snorkeling or beaching opportunties!  By the end of the day, the weather had cleared enough to enjoy sunset activities outside.  Michael, Laura, Erik and I decided to hike up the Diamond Head volcano.  The crater was formed about 300,000 years ago.  The hike up is 3/4 mile and takes about 45 minutes.  The 360 degree view of the island of O'ahu is worth the effort.

Erik and Michael looking out over Waikiki Beach from atop Diamond Head

Only two more days until I see my two precious sons.  Alec and Carter sent me pictures of themselves sporting the Nepali T-shirts I sent them. 

Carter (5) in his Nepali hat and hand-sewn dragon shirt

Alec (9) in his Nepali dragon shirt

Alec and Carter, I hope you are enjoying the snow and get a day off from school tomorrow!  See you soon! Love, Mom

Monday in Hawaii

Last night after a day at the beach, we met up with Michael, Laura and Erik at Duke's, a popular restaurant on Waikiki Beach. There, we learned that several students had gone sky diving during the day.  I can't wait to see pictures.

Laura, Erik, me, and Michael on Waikiki Beach

This morning we met with the students for class early in the morning at the Center for Disability Studies and assisted them as they began to prepare their final reports that they will present orally on Wednesday.  After reviewing some of their proposals, I am very proud and excited for them. 

Reviewing written reports during the lunch break

After work, Tammie took me to a popular swim training spot for triathletes.  There were so many swimmers on the same 600 meter measured swim, I bumped into others just like in a race.  When I finished, we watched the sun set before heading home.

Sunday in Hawaii

I slept most of Saturday away, unfortunately.  I tried to get back on this state's schedule but intstead was up most of the night and slept most of the day!  So I used my insomnia time to catch up on U.S. politics.  I listened to the President's State of the Union Address via podcast, which I thought well done, very strong and straight forward.  I was even more impressed by his two hour meeting with House Republicans.  I thought his mastery of responding to their direct questions calmly and intellegently with just the facts was brilliant.  In fact, I thought as I listened to his sharp responses, that we may have elected one of the most intellegent individuals on this planet as our president.  I still can't figure out why Massachusetts voted for an individual that would not continue the legacy of their most beloved Senator -- Edward Kennedy!  How could they elect someone that will not vote for the health and long term care bills for which he dedicated much of his life?  Incidentally, that piece did make news around the world. We read about it in Nepal.

In any case today, Sunday, I managed to wake up at a decent hour and Tammie and Jeremy took me to see their favorite beach: North Shore.  They both said that it is usually calm swimming water in the winter but today the waves were so high, the lifeguard declared the beach a non-swimming beach unless you were an experienced surfer or swimmer with fins.  In fact, we watched a lifeguard bring someone in, who could not do so, by himself.  We did get in the water a little, though, and it was relaxing to finally be on a sunny beach.

A scene from the North Shore

Enjoying a relaxing day on the beach with Jeremy and Tammie

Tammie said my trip would not be complete without getting shaved ice from Matsumoto.

They also indulged the tourist by stopping the car so that I could take a picture of the pineapples growing in the ground.  Did you know it takes 18 months for one pineapple to ripen?

Tonight we are going out to dinner at Waikiki Beach.  By now, Dr. McCormick should have arrived in Hawaii from Delaware.  We are meeting early in the morning for class with the students at the Center for Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii (one of our UCEDDs).

Friday: Arrival in Hawaii

We are back in the U.S.A.!  I think everyone is a happy and relieved even though we had a great trip to so many exotic places.  It's always nice to return home.  My friend and colleague, Tammie Picklesimer, greeted us at the airport with Hawaii leis. We arrived at about 7 a.m. on Friday, the same day we left!  We had gained a whole day by crossing the international dateline.

It was another long trip starting with a 3 a.m. wake up call to get to the airport in Bangkok for a 6:30 a.m. flight to Tokyo.  Most of us slept during the 4.5 hour flight.  During our 5 hour layover in Tokyo, most of the students ate sushi and worked on their papers or began preparing for their presentations in Hawaii.  Students will present on teams and will choose a theme for a comparative analysis of the countries we visited.  For example, one team will analyze and compare how religion in the different countries impact how people with disabilities are viewed and served.  Another group is choosing to analyze the impact of poverty on disability.  The students will be presenting these topics to disability studies students and faculty a the Center for Disability Studies on Wednesday.

Students working hard in the Tokyo airport to finish papers and begin working on their final project.

We will have the weekend off to check out the beaches.  Some students mentioned looking into sky diving or snorkeling adventures.  I am staying with Tammie and her friend Jeremy.  I'm just happy to not be in a plane or hotel and to be able to take a nice shower, do laundry and relax with a cup of coffee.

Here's Tammie's house and view from the back yard.

Thursday in Bangkok: Grand Palace

Today is my birthday!  Last night the students took me out to celebrate (there are incriminating pictures to prove it!).  We went to Kao Sahn road where many travelling students hang out and went dancing.  We had a great time.  Thanks everyone!

It's been odd to experience an exact 12 time difference. I woke up listening to BBC world news discussing the State of the Union address that would take place in an hour. 

Today a group of us visited the Grand Palace where theThai King once lived and now where state functions and coronations take place. Bhiman Inn managing director and new friend, Nayana Kunjara, graciously accompanied us and arranged a private tour! We were all amazed at the stunning gold, marble, porcelain buildings and statues.  I took many pictures. Here are some:

Laura, Erik, and Nayana

Famous reclining Buddha

Finally, back at the Bhiman Inn for lunch: Thai soup, Chicken Satay, mango salad and pineapple coconut juice.

It's a hot day today. Very humid.  Some students are swimming in the pool.  All of us are peparing for our next journey to Hawaii.  We have to leave at 3:30 a.m. to go the airport for a 6:50 flight to Tokyo.  We have a 3 hour layover then a seven hour flight to Honolulu.  See you in Hawaii!

Wednesday in Bangkok: Floating markets

Erik and Laura on the boat

Today we went on an unplanned and really fun excursion to Damnern Saduak, about 80K outside of Bangkok. Our new friend, Khun Wilairut from Ratchasude College, accompanied us to shop on the so-called “floating markets”.

One of the boat markets selling goods

We got into canal boats that took us along the canal where canal residents sell their goods along the canal. It’s a fantastic tourist trap but it was good fun and allowed us to buy some nice hand-made craft items to take home with us as gifts. There were silk products, Teak wood crafts, Chinese fans, Thai hats, among many other items, and lots of different fruits and vegetables. I enjoyed a fresh coconut that was very sweet (Alec, much sweeter than the one we tried from the market at home!). We also tried fresh mango, rose apples, pineapple, and some sugary products made from coconut.

Fresh coconut! Yum!

After visiting the market, Khun Wilairut took us to a small restaurant for lunch and helped us order some delicious local food. Upon our return, we had class discussion about our thoughts on Thailand then the rest of the day we were free. Some of us went for Thai massages or manicures, others went shopping or touring around the neighborhood. For your information, Thai massages are not the sports massages that I am accustomed to though; they are kind of rough!

Tomorrow is our last day in Thailand and our last day before reentering the U.S.! Several of us plan to visit the Royal Palace and the Thailand history museum.

Uncle Art, if you are following my blog, I have really enjoyed Bangkok. The people are very nice. My only regret is that I didn't get to see more of the country side.