Reader submission: Thailand where is that? (part 9)

It is now the year 2009 and we are going to the Netherlands together, with her daughter. Quite an experience for Rash and her daughter. The first thing her daughter said (she already spoke some English) when she was on the train to the north of the Netherlands, it was the end of April, oh how beautiful it is here (will never forget it).

Yes, everything becomes fresh and green again and always seems beautiful again. They had a great time, seen a lot, the regular spot is always Keukenhof. My family and my kids loved my daughter. Anyway, we couldn't stay that long, school was compulsory. So back to Thailand mid-May.

I felt proud again, a good woman by my side and a nice daughter who also called me daddy, a family that was proud and that on both sides. How simple and beautiful life can be with a good relationship based on trust and respect for each other.

Of course it is not always sunshine in a relationship, there are also sometimes dark clouds. Especially myself, I am always combative, no is no and I sometimes come home too late in the eyes of my wife. I tolerate absolutely no jealousy or any control, yes that took some getting used to for her, but we always solve it talking and that is so good in a relationship and conquers everything. Looking back, I say again that I set conditions for a relationship, I want to keep my freedom, which I was used to in the Netherlands and I didn't want to give that up either. But nevertheless we do a lot together, discuss a lot and that makes a relationship strong. Never gave her a monthly allowance but made sure that she now has her own income. She often buys me a shirt or pants without my asking. The years pass in prosperity, her work expanded again with making wills, on-call as a translator at the court, so everything runs smoothly.

In 2011 I had a serious moped accident, shattered hip, hospitalized for three weeks, repaired hip, but my Rash was by my side. Was always there and if possible they both slept with me. Also my Dutch friends, they were there every day and so many others, that does a person good. On discharge from the hospital, the nurses said that they had never seen so many visitors to a foreigner. If people have made time for you, you should really appreciate it. Also my friend Peter, marine man came to get me to go out while I was in a wheelchair, every time, they even found another bar where I could easily get in and out. I have great friends, what a privileged person I am with such good people around you. Will never forget.

Back to the Netherlands in 2012 with all of us, another warm welcome and another wonderful holiday. I still have my own house in the Netherlands, my own place. In Thailand and the Netherlands I have everything well organized, I am a family man. Frequent contact via the internet, also with my mother, who I have learned everything in advance to keep in touch with each other with a PC, to see each other via Skype. Now everything via Whats app. My mother is now 80 years old and gets angry if something goes wrong with the internet or PC. Also bought her a smartphone with everything on and on since last year, so that we now do everything via her mobile phone and whats app or line.

I read many stories about relationships in Thailand and also listen to many, of course it is not always the same, but to attribute everything to the Thai is going too far for me. Also look at yourself and be sincere and just say what you want or can do. Also know that a Thai is inscrutable, you never fully understand them. Put that down to the cultural difference, I only have one motto, I don't promise anything, stay in control to protect myself.

To be continued….

Submitted by Roel