Wonderful piece, Lani. Being the cool aunt is great.
Funny story, I am hosting my mum, dad and brother as I write this in the US. And the first thing that my (older) brother asked was: What’s the WIFI password? Haha!
Love your D, Lani! It also reminds me that once I was trying to play the “cool” aunt only to be told that I wasn’t cool at all because, I tried too hard! 🤣
I like the term 'barbed nittery' and can only imagine all the inside jokes that came with this.. also, what better setting for a great ending to a story than staying in a haunted house? I was always fascinated by the various superstitions Thais have, like that it's bad luck to cut your hair on Wednesdays (for example). Love your writing!
Thanks, Dorette. The jokes, I decided, were not necessary to share, because as you know, these things depend on the moment. But yes, you picked up on that ~ we had a lot of stupid ones that made us laugh. And yes, Thais love a good ghost story…some salons and barbers are closed on Wednesdays, if you can believe it!
This was a fun yet tender read, Lani. It reminds me of a "nieces' tour" that took place in China many years ago when I was visited by 3 of my nieces plus one of their friends. Shanghai was a glamorous place compared to small-town England where they lived, so they didn't get bored...
Ah, the "reverse" experience then! 😊 Nevertheless, it's gratifying to see a family member's reaction to where you've lived or traveled. It's sharing the secret, in a way. Thanks, Jeffrey!
Lani, “barbed nitwittery” is such a perfect phrase for the kind of kinship that forms when two people are stuck between boredom, humidity, family history, and nowhere else to go. The scenes in Lamphun are wonderfully specific: the scary bathroom, snakehead fish, plastic seat cushions, fruit flies, translation apps, and the neighbor’s WiFi all make the place feel fully lived. Beneath the humor, you let Donovan’s visit become something deeper than a trip; he is encountering Grandma’s world, the poverty she left, and the outsider experience you have carried for years. The haunted Bangkok hotel punchline lands beautifully because it belongs to a language only the two of you could have built together.
Hahaha. Yes, the hubby said since I teach teenagers I'd be in my element. Unfortunately that mean when I returned to school, I was still acting like one. 😂 Thanks, Sue!
Lani, I thoroughly enjoyed your reflections on your trip and your bonding in the experience with your nephew. Your humor and understanding of the different relationships and expectations had me seeing the scenes you describe. And the photos were great! Thanks for taking us all on your journey!😊💖
Such a sweet and handsome kid! I've also entertained a couple of nephews and nieces in their late teens far away from their home environment... always a great bonding experience, and in your case anchored in the shared outsider status.
Your family gatherings don't even need a program, Lani! In the gaps between cultures, expectations, and misunderstandings there is plenty of space for spontaneous entertainment ~ the fuel for any good joke. 💙 🙏 😅 👻
Ah, thanks, Veronika. You understand. Spontaneous entertainment ~ that's a perfect way to describe the mishaps and moments between the waiting for something to happen. 🥰😍🤗
I love this sweet story about bonding with your nephew — no doubt he will forever hold in his heart, this family trip. I love how you had warned him, and how deep down he would have loved it anyway; appreciation for the boredom and all. Just think, you have all those other nephews and nieces to repeat the experience with ... 🤣💖Thank you 😊🙏
Thanks, Simone. It was an unexpected delight, if that's the right word. I thought our conversations would be more serious or toned down. Instead, he jumped right in with the insults and I played along because humor, as you know, is my jam. He reminded me of my brother at times, too. 😇🥰🙏
Hahaha! Oh, I loved this! I've missed your magick and mayhem so much ... the heat, the boredom, the barbed nitwittery, the canal crusades, the haunted‑hotel Google autofill ... all of it told with that tender, funny wit of yours. What it must've been like to meet Donovan in a place that strips away every comfort and forces you into a new kind of kinship.
And I’m grinning that my book ... ghosts and all ... arrived right into the middle of all this beautiful chaos, like a tiny poetic package from another haunted world. Honestly, after your stay Lamphun, even an apparition reading in the corner probably felt like an upgrade ... at least the ghosts had WiFi! Sorry, I shouldn't be laughing. Bad poet! 💖🙏😁👻
Ahhh, I love how you put it. Yes, creature comforts were stripped away, distractions were hard to come by, so we leaned into the absurdity of it all.
You made me smile when you said 'at least the ghosts had WiFi' 😆Sad, but true. And yes, your book arrived at good 'ol Lamphun. Thanks, Deborah, for your clever and kind words. Grateful.
Wonderful piece, Lani. Being the cool aunt is great.
Funny story, I am hosting my mum, dad and brother as I write this in the US. And the first thing that my (older) brother asked was: What’s the WIFI password? Haha!
It’s as important as electricity. 💡And the big family reunion sounds awesome! Enjoy being British for America’s 250th birthday! 🏆🤣
Love your D, Lani! It also reminds me that once I was trying to play the “cool” aunt only to be told that I wasn’t cool at all because, I tried too hard! 🤣
Hahahaha. Better than the alternative! Thanks, Yi.
I like the term 'barbed nittery' and can only imagine all the inside jokes that came with this.. also, what better setting for a great ending to a story than staying in a haunted house? I was always fascinated by the various superstitions Thais have, like that it's bad luck to cut your hair on Wednesdays (for example). Love your writing!
Thanks, Dorette. The jokes, I decided, were not necessary to share, because as you know, these things depend on the moment. But yes, you picked up on that ~ we had a lot of stupid ones that made us laugh. And yes, Thais love a good ghost story…some salons and barbers are closed on Wednesdays, if you can believe it!
This was a fun yet tender read, Lani. It reminds me of a "nieces' tour" that took place in China many years ago when I was visited by 3 of my nieces plus one of their friends. Shanghai was a glamorous place compared to small-town England where they lived, so they didn't get bored...
Ah, the "reverse" experience then! 😊 Nevertheless, it's gratifying to see a family member's reaction to where you've lived or traveled. It's sharing the secret, in a way. Thanks, Jeffrey!
Lani, “barbed nitwittery” is such a perfect phrase for the kind of kinship that forms when two people are stuck between boredom, humidity, family history, and nowhere else to go. The scenes in Lamphun are wonderfully specific: the scary bathroom, snakehead fish, plastic seat cushions, fruit flies, translation apps, and the neighbor’s WiFi all make the place feel fully lived. Beneath the humor, you let Donovan’s visit become something deeper than a trip; he is encountering Grandma’s world, the poverty she left, and the outsider experience you have carried for years. The haunted Bangkok hotel punchline lands beautifully because it belongs to a language only the two of you could have built together.
Thanks so much Reverend. 🙂😇You beautifully summarized the experience, and I'm grateful the essay resonated with you.
Alright, Donovan trying to fish with a jerry-rigged pole was cute. I'm sure years later he'll still be talking about the trip.
You're right, Sarah. Thanks for your astute observation. I believe he will, too. 💝
And yet you so clearly *are* That Cool Auntie!
Great pics and love the absolutely universal concerns about Wifi and A/C, haha!
You paint a vivid and real picture of teenage boys and believe me, I KNOW ...
Hahaha. Yes, the hubby said since I teach teenagers I'd be in my element. Unfortunately that mean when I returned to school, I was still acting like one. 😂 Thanks, Sue!
Lani, I thoroughly enjoyed your reflections on your trip and your bonding in the experience with your nephew. Your humor and understanding of the different relationships and expectations had me seeing the scenes you describe. And the photos were great! Thanks for taking us all on your journey!😊💖
Thanks so much, Cathleen. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Journey's the right word for it, too! 🙃😉
Such a sweet and handsome kid! I've also entertained a couple of nephews and nieces in their late teens far away from their home environment... always a great bonding experience, and in your case anchored in the shared outsider status.
Your family gatherings don't even need a program, Lani! In the gaps between cultures, expectations, and misunderstandings there is plenty of space for spontaneous entertainment ~ the fuel for any good joke. 💙 🙏 😅 👻
Ah, thanks, Veronika. You understand. Spontaneous entertainment ~ that's a perfect way to describe the mishaps and moments between the waiting for something to happen. 🥰😍🤗
Hi Lani,
I love this sweet story about bonding with your nephew — no doubt he will forever hold in his heart, this family trip. I love how you had warned him, and how deep down he would have loved it anyway; appreciation for the boredom and all. Just think, you have all those other nephews and nieces to repeat the experience with ... 🤣💖Thank you 😊🙏
Thanks, Simone. It was an unexpected delight, if that's the right word. I thought our conversations would be more serious or toned down. Instead, he jumped right in with the insults and I played along because humor, as you know, is my jam. He reminded me of my brother at times, too. 😇🥰🙏
That’s sweet Lani, definitely picked up on that in the story 💖🙏
Hahaha! Oh, I loved this! I've missed your magick and mayhem so much ... the heat, the boredom, the barbed nitwittery, the canal crusades, the haunted‑hotel Google autofill ... all of it told with that tender, funny wit of yours. What it must've been like to meet Donovan in a place that strips away every comfort and forces you into a new kind of kinship.
And I’m grinning that my book ... ghosts and all ... arrived right into the middle of all this beautiful chaos, like a tiny poetic package from another haunted world. Honestly, after your stay Lamphun, even an apparition reading in the corner probably felt like an upgrade ... at least the ghosts had WiFi! Sorry, I shouldn't be laughing. Bad poet! 💖🙏😁👻
Ahhh, I love how you put it. Yes, creature comforts were stripped away, distractions were hard to come by, so we leaned into the absurdity of it all.
You made me smile when you said 'at least the ghosts had WiFi' 😆Sad, but true. And yes, your book arrived at good 'ol Lamphun. Thanks, Deborah, for your clever and kind words. Grateful.