The Long Goodbye

August, 2017

When we first arrived in Thailand for our three-year assignment, it seemed like an interminable amount of time to be away.  I remember when we counted our time here in weeks.  Now, suddenly, the end of our assignment is imminent, and so begins the long goodbye.  Tim spent a week in India, at two different plants in two different cities.  And in each city, his colleagues celebrated his contributions and wished him well, Indian-style. nbsp; This was no simple "cake in the staff room" good-bye.  Group photos were taken, dinners were held, speeches were made.  Tim was expected to talk at length about his time working in India.  Team recognition was the order of the day.  (This message has been approved by the candidate.)

Tim came back with armloads of gifts (and a chest cold, which he kindly shared.)  The teams were very generous and thoughtful with their gifts.  With so many people moving in and out of the region, they have the routine down pretty well.

"Lion Capital of Ashoka" - the official emblem of India

Beautiful brass bell with "Om" symbol

Indian Elephant

Light-up cube with Tim's picture (taken in Tibet!)

The group pictures are quite homogeneous, save one.

didn't fare so well in Tim's luggage

He arrived home on a Friday morning, and then Friday evening was another dinner, this time with the Thailand team.  I got to tag along to Moom Aroy, a lovely outdoor venue in nearby Sriracha, about a forty-five minute drive from Pattaya.  I enjoyed meeting Tim's team, many for the first time.  We dined on traditional Thai food as we watched the sun set over the gulf.

"Moom Aroy" (tasty corner)

Thais traditionally dine out "family style,"
with many dishes in the middle for everyone to share

Ghin Yang Nai?  "How do I eat these?"

The Thai team had a caricature drawing done of the team in the style of the Chinese Three Kingdoms.  Very cute, although I think Tim looks a bit more like Billy Crystal in a graduation cap!

It is going to be so difficult to say goodbye...