Mary's Diary (Part 13)

Maria Berg (72) made a wish come true: she moved to Thailand in October 2012 and she has no regrets. Her family calls her an ADHD senior and she agrees. Maria worked as an animal caretaker, student nurse, animal ambulance driver, lady bartender, activity supervisor in day care and as a caretaker C in private home care. She wasn't very stable either, because she lived in Amsterdam, Maastricht, Belgium, Den Bosch, Drenthe and Groningen.

The retirement home

A progressive Thai had a 'good idea'. In the Netherlands where he had been, he saw one retirement home after another. That had to happen in Kamphaeng Saen. He bought a large piece of land and had a beautiful building built on it, which could accommodate many elderly people.

In the area, it was talked about a bit jokingly. The idea that you would put your parents or grandparents in there… a non-negotiable subject. Your parents or grandparents, who had taken care of you for many years, then of course it was your turn to take care of them. It would be an embarrassment to the family if that didn't happen. If someone had no family at all, it was quite normal for neighbors to take over the task of the missing family.

The building has been there for several years. It is also getting fuller, yes, not in the building, which is empty. But there are more and more stray dogs in the driveway. Out of the sun, no people, what more could you want.

Lice on repeat

Cozy, Sunday at my son's house, enjoying the garden and the variety of birds. One is even tamer than the other. There is a young goose, which even likes to be taken on your lap and petting is also appreciated.

After the delicious lunch, I am very sweetly sent to my son's study. Here's a bed, I'm going to sleep.

The rest of the day, back in the garden. At dinner, my son tells me that there is another lice infestation at school. So my grandchildren also have them again. While I'm listening, it slowly starts to dawn on me that I've been lying with my head on the pillow that all the children regularly lie on.

I listen, frozen in horror, shuddering at the idea that I might have them now too. When my daughter-in-law brings me home, she picks up an anti-lice shampoo from a store at my request. At home I quickly take a shower and do my hair with the anti-lice shampoo. When my hair is dry I think, again in a week, then I'm done with it.

The expensive phone

Purchasing a new telephone is not an easy task for me as a person over 70 years old. This phone has two SIM cards, one Dutch and one Thai. Very nice, but before I understand everything takes a while. But, it works: I can call, send messages and use the internet, I'm proud of it.

Yes, the phone, nowhere to be found. The whole house turned upside down, searched in the craziest places, couldn't be found. So then you really start to doubt your sanity, is it that time yet? Am I starting to get dementia now? Usually you don't realize that yourself. I look outside and sigh.

Suddenly I see dog Kwibus, with something in his mouth, shaking his head back and forth and yes, that was my beautiful new phone. By talking to him very sweetly, he came to show me what beautiful things he had. Well it wasn't beautiful anymore, the cover was in tatters and the phone was broken in several places on the front. So there was no life left in it.

Opened the phone, fortunately, the SIM cards were undamaged. The phone was not that expensive, but because I now have to buy a new one, it will be an expensive joke all in all.

The monster

Some distance past the university, behind the farms lying there, are swamps. A huge beast lives here, they call it a lizard here, I think it's a monitor lizard.

Several farms have placed a fence around their land, with a piece at the top that bends outwards. Not for the burglars, but for the huge 'lizards', who love small livestock. I knew the stories about it, I just had never seen one.

We drove my son's car to his house. Suddenly something huge crossed the road. Fortunately we didn't hit him, that wouldn't have been nice for the 'lizard' and not for us either. He was at least three meters, which was a bit of a shock.

When I am brought home a few hours later, he is unfortunately dead by the side of the road. We get out, I'd like to see him up close. Well, I am someone who always has a centimeter with him, we measure him, he is 290 cm. Almost right estimate. The question remains: is it a lizard or a monitor lizard, no one knows.

The school

The school is located on a country road, just outside the center of Kamphaeng Saen. Beautiful premises and a huge garden. An area with play equipment and a sandbox. The dining area is covered, but otherwise open. If you go further into the garden there are ducks and chickens, which are cared for by the school children.

It is the last day of school this year. There is a large table with a beautiful Christmas tree and presents under it. There is even Christmas music. After lunch, Santa Claus actually arrives. All those dozens of big brown eyes look at him expectantly. Each child receives a package from Santa Claus. The packages are opened nervously. Everyone is happy, the holidays can begin, the school is closed until January 2. A special experience, Thai children at a Christmas party.

Happy holidays and a healthy 2014 to everyone who reads my diary.
Maria

Part 12 of Maria's Diary appeared on November 26.

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