I understand that I only just posted, but I felt that it would not feel right to just include the wonderful, blissful and picturesque moments of our travels. We have had such a great start to this journey ... with everything going so smoothly with all our transfers, our bookings, our accomodations, our health. The boys have embraced it all and we have stepped into the world with an open heart and loads of trust. Maybe just a little too much trust...We just discovered while settling into our sleepers on the 12 hour ricketty train journey to Bangkok last night, that the kids were robbed sometime in the last few days. Their savings of over $200 combined has gone from their wallets. Funny though, because each wallet has $20 left in it - as much to say "I wanted to leave you some..." Mmmmm. I contemplate the karma of this but also understand that it is an old fashioned lesson in just not being careful enough.
The boys wallets have been left in our room most outings, buried in their napsacks, more or less forgotten by me. Careless of course, thinking about it now. Those that are close to me know that I am possibly too trusting - and maybe this is true. Ben was very upset and rightfully angry. It`s an awful feeling knowing someone has gone through your personal things. And I cannot pinpoint where and when this may have happened. But I have tried to make him realise that it`s not the end of world and that whoever took it must have needed it pretty bad - but had enough conscience to not take it all. I hate to see him become more cynical - as is in his nature already. I wanted him to not fear or mistrust people - but this is a real life lesson and the bottom line is that we need to be more vigilant. I just wish that it was my money - not theirs. But it could always have been much worse of course and it's certainly not a trip breaker - it was not passports, credit cards, or our entire belongings ... but I just wished that this news waited until we had got over our first bout of travelling sickness! Two days of severe stomach cramps, fever, body aches and leaking of fluids - from both ends. Both Ben and I became victim following our jungle adventure tour a couple of days ago ... just a few hours after my last post actually, describing the bliss of Thailand! Jordan remains unscathed so far (except for the sad look on his face everytime he looks into his wallet!).
So there is someone, somewhere walking around with more that a few weeks of Thai wages in Canadian dollars. Does this change the way I feel about Thai people - well, no. Not really. I just hope that the kids birthday money is being put to good use, for food or household supplies... And if taken by a tourist (which does not make sense logistically from thinking it over) ... then I hope they had a hell of a party and shared it with friends. Anyway, it is done. Taking from Buddhist teachings - I forgive. Though it may take Ben a little longer... Now just to get over this illness before we fly to India tomorrow... Send strength! xx