I haven't been posting much lately because my family I have been very busy prepping for our long awaited exoduses from Suriname.
Derelict Houses ๐๏ธ
ย ย ย I should start by mentioning that as I write this post, family is actually in transit from Amsterdam to Singapore, so my content will take a few days to catch up with real-time. Regardless, I want so share with you all one of the last Suriname adventures I had with the three ladies of my life, a trip to town to get mandatory COVID-19 PCR tests. No journey in Paramaribo is complete without tons of derelict wooden homes that are just as creepy as they are intriguing.
Lots Of Warungs ๐ด
ย ย ย Another thing that is a common site is the word "Warung" on many roadside signs. Warung is the Bahasa/Malay word for "shop/store," but here in Suriname it means cafe or small restaurant, usually of the Javanese variety, but I hate to admit, not nearly as delicious as real Javanese food.
Check It Out ๐
ย ย ย I have no idea what the @kidsisters were looking at, but it sure distracted Monkey-B from chocolate soymilk, a small reward for her being brave enough to go and do the COVID-19 test. She had already heard people talk about how terrible it is having a long thing shoved up your nose, so she wasn't exactly walking fast to get to the hospital.
Let's Get This Over With ๐ฎ
ย ย ย I was surprised to see how eager Monkey-B was to take her COVID-19 test, she has expressed her desire to leave Suriname for several years, so I can't blame her. Well, that eagerness was quickly replaced with some confusion and watery eyes. What surprised me is that here in Suriname they swab the back of your throat and then take the same swab and shove it up your nose.
Freedom โ
ย ย ย Upon completing their tests, we rejoiced and hit the streets, only to know we'd have to return later in the evening to collect the results. Our joy to be one step closer was quickly shattered after we spent one hour walking the streets unable to hail a taxi.
ย ย ย This is just another reason we'll be glad to be back in Cambodia, a place designed for people without cars, where a tuk-tuk and motodup is only a shout away. Eventually we woke up a driver sleeping in his car, and he was kind enough to take us home from 5 times the regular price, just another kick in the ass from Suriname.
ย ย ย As I mentioned before, I am playing catch-up with my posts, my family is already in the sky and I am here alone in Suriname. I miss my ladies dearly, this just sucks.
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Hi hi Justin... my post are also always on catch up mode. hahaha.. sometimes, I just take a while to write them out. Glad to know that they are on their way to Singapore and I guess will be reaching very soon. Then it's going to be your flight out of here.
That derelict house is pretty scary to look at especially at night. I wonder if there is anyone living inside or not? Monkey B has really cute cheeks... It's brave of her to take the test willingly. That is not something many kids would want to go through.. My niece ... when my wife did that to test her, screamed ... hahaha..
In the picture where they were walking down the street, the man at the back.. hahaha.. he wanted to be in the picture... Have a great day. Great trip to America..
They're home, and I'm flying later on tonight, trying to catch up on Hive stuff this morning. So many houses here look identical to the one in the photo, but yet the homeowner often has a $10,000 car, priorities a little different than mine I guess. In Cambodian provincial towns people would almost always choose a comfortable house and transport by bicycle. I do realize life in Suriname is impossible without a car, so I guess that's one of the reasons we're leaving, a car just isn't part of our lifestyle.
Monkey-B was braver than expected, but I suspect her hatred of living in Suriname easily overpowered her swab fears. Always got to watch out for photobombers ๐.
Hi hi Justin.. safe trip to the United States. Wow.. they would rather live in a house like that and have a nice car... Instead.. ๐๐๐
I think the Cambodian life is alot better. A house is pretty important.. it's the place we get lots of rest.. energy.. and our home..
Wahaha.. good to know that they are safe and sound in Cambodia.. time to get out of Suriname... ๐๐๐
I am not a 100 percent yet although I test negative already.. hahaha still recovering.. I can finally breath properly again. Just mustering my last energy... To write this comment before I head to sleep. Thank you... Very much..
Good to know you've made it through, surely it sucked.
It sucked but luckily things are great so far.. =)
Yuhuuuu....FREEDOM!!! Finally, now the three ladies are well off to their freedom. Good job everyone, good luck to you and your family! Do not worry, youยดll all be together soon in no time. And I am already excited how it will be in Cambodia... you will have so many adventures and I am sure the @kidsisters will love it there.
I miss them dearly already, but soon I'll be in the USA and on the phone with Cambodian Embassy in Washington begging and pleading for them to let me back to reunite with my family. We have so many lost years to make up for, gonna have to do three years of 300% fun to compensate, and we will share it with you all.
Yeah, Iยดll be looking forward on the result of your papers in the Cambodian Embassy in Washington, I sure hope it will be a positive experience. If in such case, they cause a problem, get a lawyer because they should consider your visa application especially now that your family is already waiting for you in Cambodia.
If I can't sweet talk the Cambodian authorities, Pov will have to start her own Cambodian corporation and bring me in as an employee.
That is good alternative... Keep going, sure hope youยดll make it soon.. Good luck!
Same here in the Philippines. I experience it many times hahahaha. There's also a saliva test where you "drain" your saliva to a tube. This is non-invasive but also expensive.
So sorry to hear this. I hope you'll be able to be with them real soon!
They've now landed safe and sound, so relieved to see they are back home and comfortable. I hope to be with them before 2022. I remember the shock on my wife's face when they shoved thing they removed from her mouth up her nose ๐.
OMG, it's supposed to be a different thing for the mouth and nose. Thats weird!
Glad to know that they are home safe! Im praying you guys will be together real soon!
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Our children are also worried about the swab tests. :D since we are also traveling next month. But so far, according to the info we got, we don't need the test for the travel. Only the full vaccination card is needed. Hopefully it will not change next month.
For international flights I think the PCR test is required whether vaccinated or not, but I'm not sure if all countries are following this protocol. I guess it's possible to catch the virus while vaccinated and show no symptoms while spreading it around. I just can't wait for life to return to a sense of normalcy. I think it will be many more years to come, but I must have hope.
Oh, oh! I can imagine the loneliness, being alone and separated from your loves. That should be fine though, forward thinking to the better times ahead!
I have to be honest, I've never had a PCR test ever and I've got to say I'm not jealous of Monkey B. Lol. She's a brave kid, indeed!
True, I'm trying to focus my thoughts on the future, especially the potential of what we can do with Hive in Cambodia. The PCR wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it sucks, I just had mine yesterday morning.
I don't like to undergo swab test. I prefer to be vaccinated. ๐ Thankfully I will no longer undergo swab test going home because I am fully vaccinated.
I am so happy for your ladies to have freedom they wanted and to be in Cambodia. ๐๐ฅฐ
Hope the loneliness you feel won't take too long as you will be going home to USA tomorrow. ๐
And you will be together again with your ladies too soon! ๐ฅฐ๐
Have a safe trip sir @justinparke! ๐
Here in Suriname, vaxxed or not you still have to take the test before flying. I was surprised my Monkey-B's bravery at the test site. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts. I have warm feeling knowing my wife and kids are back home and surrounded by loved ones. And of course we can't forget our decentralized ASEAN friends who have given us so much strength and courage.
It saves lot of time, when you have the communication readily available. Charging 5 times the regular price is like looting us. I am sure, they must not be having a good life, you can't just cheat others and still live happy.
You nailed it, and the majority of people in Suriname are of Indian descent, but the life they now live is nothing like in India, nor the food, nor the culture, and I'm sure this is part of the reason people seem lost and sad, obsessed with money here.
It's evidence the western way of life is not supreme, just different. Having a big home, car and money in the bank at any personal cost doesn't provide happiness, and I think that's something the west will take a long time to learn. My family is already back in Cambodia now, and they sent me pictures of them eating june plums, so happy to see them reclaiming their physical and mental health.
True that๐
Reading this brought tear to my eyes. I am still that happy dude, but your present situation just dosn't allow me to make joke on it. Shame on Suriname that they swab the same stick with throat and nose. I mean I don't mind to smell my own saliva, but why would they do that? Swab stick very expensive? Totally outrageous.
The bonus is, those creepy wooden building is super intriguing. I don't mind a regular visit in one of those wooden building, but probably not a good idea to stay. Not even one evening.
That's rough. Stay strong buddy. It's all part of the bigger plan... ๐
P.S. Those swab pics make me cringe ( remembering my painful experience with this ). Blegh!
Thanks, a little Hive encouragement has never hurt. The swab is a nasty reminder of the new world we live in. I can't wait to get to the Cambodian countryside and swear off the majority of humanity.
I can totally relate to that and I guess I did a similar thing, when I moved to the Portuguese countryside, over 3 years ago.
Nowadays, I am learning to ( send ) love ( to ) those 'city people', once again. It has been a long process, but I had to work on myself first and find the peace of mind that I couldn't find while living in a city and feeling stuck inside the system, in The Netherlands.
Sending you an plethora of good vibes!
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My heart hurts for your separation. At the same time I am thrilled for your escape.
This is a story that should be made into a movie. I look forward to the next episode.
That is exactly how I feel, happy to see them back home eating a wide variety of things already. It's been hard for me stay current with posting as I prioritize ASEAN Hive responsibilities, but I promise another update very soon.
Don't worry about it sir. Smile from your kids puts a smile on my face. So happy and glad for all of you after being so long,the wait is over. As I always says, home sweet home. Can't wait for the update from home โบ๏ธ
I think Srey-Yuu is putting together a post in Cambodia. @sreypov is still recovering from travel and the time difference. I also can't wait to see what content they choose to post first from Cambodia.
I see. Can't wait to see what's up next โบ๏ธ yeah, give sister sometimes to rest and recovery first. Healthy more important โบ๏ธ
You kids look so happy to go to Cambodia. I hope you can keep every moment of your journey in your camera so I can read your story after you arrive in Cambodia.
We are doing our best to document, certainly lots of photos. I am a bit behind on my posting, so my content for the next week will be old history, but I still want to share it regardless. Hopefully I can post frequently and catch back up to real-time over the next two weeks.
Being away from your loved one sure does make you feel lonely. I wish all the best for your side. May the bureaucracy ended as soon as possible
Thank you my friend, I can't wait for this saga to be over. At least now we have opened the book, and that is something to be happy about.
I know what.you feel being separated with your family. But just.keep holding on, you will be reunited again soon. For now make yourself so busy.so you will.not be that so sad.
Very true, it is so important to stay busy and keep my mind off things. I hope 2022 doesn't see a day without my family and I together.
Just believed it. And it will happen.๐
Take your time with all the hassles. You go through what you should go through. You've got 3 lovely ladies and brave.
Thank you for this comment, you ASEAN Hivers are the best, and I reminded now of why I say we are the friendliest community on Hive ๐.
It is because of you and the others who are so accommodating with newcomers. I will follow your example and welcome everyone especially the newly onboard. Peace โ๏ธ.
I am honored, thank you.
Your kids are very brave. Hopefully, everything goes well and you can be with them ASAP.๐
If things go as planned, we'll be together before 2022, but who knows, visa and travel policies change so rapidly now that it's hard to keep up. Thanks for the support, I am feeling the love from the ASEAN Hive Community at this time.
I never been experience on swab test. The @kidsisters are so very brave by taking swab test. ๐
To say it sucked would be an understatement, but it wasn't that bad. Afterwards though, I felt like the back of throat was itchy and irritated, a strange sensation, and of course eyes watering the whole time.
Now I know what are the feelings of having swab test. ๐ Thank you for sharing it my friend.
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Bless up. Justin! Glad to see the progress!
PCR test, throat back then in the nose with the same thing? ๐ณ I guess the theory is itโs the same person.
Blessed journey ahead to the girls and you!
Cross-contamination, but not cross-human contamination I guess. Well, at least it wasn't in the nose first and then to the back of the mouth, I would've refused that sequence. Give thanks, now we're all safely out of Suriname.
Congrats!
I really dread travelling in these times! but I guess it is the new norm. Blessings!
Covid-19 test is the only test in my entire life that made me cry ๐
Haha, perfect. I once had a 3rd grade math test that me cry, but that is long behind me now ๐.
May that loneliness turn to happiness when you are together soon.
Yes, I have already dreamed about this day even though I've only been without the family a few days. The moment we reunite will be one we want to share with Hive more than anywhere or with anyone else. Thank you my friend.
I wish a safe and happy journey to you and your family! ๐๐โค๏ธ
Thanks, sending lots of love your way. Glad that they now safe and sound back in Cambodia, and I'm now in the USA. Now time for me to get back to Cambodia.....
Congratulations, your post has been added to Pinmapple! ๐๐ฅณ๐
Did you know you have your own profile map?
And every post has their own map too!
Want to have your post on the map too?
@justinparke Why is mine muted from the asean.hive community, what happened to my account? Please advise and I need your help. ๐น๐ญ
Thank you ๐
Your posts are interesting, but your engagement with other Hivers is practically zero. If we all followed this model we'd just be posting just to stare at our own posts, that's not sustainable and actually takes away value from the community.
I highly suggest you try to read a post once in a while, comment on it, vote on it, you'd be surprised how awesome Hive is when you contribute to the sustainability of it.
Can I solve this problem by interacting with my fellow community by commenting after reading their posts?
Thank you ๐
Practice a few weeks of engagement first, and then message me to let me know, thanks.
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I hope you guys are doing fine God bless you ๐
It could be better, but we'll get through it.
Give thanks my friend, luckily there were no major issues with transiting airports and COVID tests, expired visas, etc.