The city of Bangkok (Thai: บางกอก; pronounced [bāng-kŏk']) is the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. Known in Thai as Krung Thep Mahanakhon , or Krung Thep in brief, it was a small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom and came to the forefront of Thailand when it was given the status as the capital city in 1768 after the burning of Ayutthaya, the former kingdom seat and capital of the Ayuthaya province. It was also ranked by "Travel and Leisure" as the best city in the world for the year 2008. 
Gerri Hickman
1953-2005
Dedicated to the life and memory of Gerri Hickman. Loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend and teacher. Gerri was only 52 years old when she lost her 4 year battle with breast cancer on 9 April 2005.
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Usually when a funny event happens to me on the road I enjoy sharing it and when I look back on the almost 2 million miles I've flown over the years I can say, thankfully, that there have been very few moments that have caused me concern or anxiety about travelling... until today... We were at the end of an uneventful 5 hour flight from Singapore to Beijing for meetings with the head of China's Tourism Department when we hit some wind sheer that had the Airbus rocking and rolling like I've never rocked and rolled before. At times it felt as if we were flying sideways instead of forward. We were on final approach and were only about 30 feet off the ground when the engines fired up and the jet struggled to regain altitude. My exact words were simply "Oh Shit!". The Chinese national sitting next to me had eyes as big as saucers and was as white as a ghost and said "you may say that again!".
I didn't know an Airbus could go vertical... but that is exactly what we did. Several minutes later (seemed like hours) the captain came on and explained that the wind sheer caused a "dangerous situation thus landing was aborted" he also then advised us that we had four more hours of fuel and would circle until the conditions improved. The good news is that we only circled for 20 minutes then went in to try it again. Long story short, we rocked and rolled and landed successfully (which is obvious by the fact that I am safely writing this from my hotel room). Without trying to sound melodramatic... it is times like this that you have even more appreciation for family and friends so it seems timely to drop a note just to say hello! Hope this finds you well and definitely not in a similar situation!
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23 September 1999 - Beijing, People's Republic of China Ok several people have reminded me that I have fallen behind in my correspondence… I'm working on it… here is a bit of filler until I have time to sit down and write in more detail… Fun to be there and experience the sights, sounds and people. Dining in the Li Family Home. A two- table restaurant in a home on the outskirts of Beijing. Great wine, great food and fun seating in the same seat previously occupied by the likes of Henry Kissinger, Presidents of Iceland, Philippines & Argentina as well as business moguls from around the world. Very unique and high recommended! Depressing is a good word to describe the dark rainless clouds and pollution that hangs over the city and the dry dust that covers every surface both inside and out… Exciting to be in the city while it prepares for huge events to commemorate 50 years since the Cultural Revolution. Parades, lights, flags and a reported 50 million pots of flowers lining the streets… Annoying to be dining with very high-ranking government officials who belch, pick their nose and pass wind during the entire meal… Unbelievable best describes the history, Forbidden City, Great Wall (seeing the world while standing on the Great Wall is hard to match Tiring to work through translators all day and have what should a 30-minute meeting take 2-3 hours… Tiring also describes leaving through Beijing Int’l Airport. Jostling through crowds only to stand in line after line… Fabulous place to visit! Highly recommend everyone experience it! However, even with my strong love of Asia, living there would be a greater challenge than I might be prepared to take on.  A couple of weeks ago I was leaving Kuala Lumpur and when boarding the plan I looked out the window to see the pilot (of the flight I’m getting on) hanging out the window of the cockpit pouring Coco-Cola on the windshield. There were several expatriates in the area watching this happen, I think someone very discreetly hollered out “WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?” Which started lots of speculation… as many of us were running to the ticket counter to change flights a young US Air Force pilot started to tell us Coke is used all the time by pilots… cuts the grease off the windshield… Guess I'll be switching to 7-Up… Next week, a first for Gerri, I and Dave & Doreen Clifton. Phnom Penh, Cambodia for a long weekend. One of those places none of us have ever been to so it will be fun to explore it together… I’m sure there will some stories to tell. Hope this finds you well. |
I arrived Bangkok early this morning for meetings with clients but the conversation with the driver between the airport and the first meeting was more worth reporting…Upon entering the car: “Sawasdee krup” (it means welcome in Thai). “Sprechen ze deutsch?” (I get this a lot. I wasn’t even wearing the short shorts with black socks and sandals… How can they tell my roots? I don’t look German, do I?
“Clinton wife next president. You vote yes?” Queries the driver. “She is only thinking about running for the Senate right now, I don’t see her running for president for a few years” I say with confidence.“Merican crazy people. Senate today, president tomorrow. Like Thailand, government change very fast!” There is not too much one can argue with this statement…. “We Thai like Mericans!” Says the driver. “Yes, Americans like Thais too. Thais are very friendly people.” I say with a smile into the rear-view mirror.. “No, Thai like Mericans, Thai LIKE Mericans, not let ‘some beaches’ British take over like colony.” The driver says. “Huh” I say completely thrown by the conversation at this point. “Merry 4 July, you celebrate no British colony, no?” “Oh, yes, thank you….” Finally getting where the conversation is going… And it was that conversation that reminded me to say happy 4th to all of you! Hope it finds you well. 
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1999 Wishing you a very Merry Christmas
Update: Gerri & Joe Gerri had a busy summer this year visiting, shopping, yearly doctors visits etc, but some of the best moments were when she and Kathy went to Phoenix, Arizona and spent a week WITHOUT the kids. Wow!! Gerri is into her third year teaching at Singapore American School. She enjoys teaching the Home living courses which just coincidentally are the most popular electives in the Middle School. 1999 the year of Travel Travel appears to be the best word to describe the Hickmans 1999 activities. Starting with JR 's visit in January, the family headed out for a week in Nepal and Thailand. Kathmandu is a fascinating city! Gateway to the Himalayas and Mt. Everest, home of Buddhism and Hinduism and a cultural experience unlike any other. Shopping played a big part of the schedule and the Hickmans have a couple of hand woven carpets made by Tibetan refugees to prove it. Bangkok was the next port-of-call, great food, wonderful people and of course, the inevitable shopping. $3.00 Polo shirts are just too hard to pass up!Joe and Gerri had a wonderful get-away in Phuket, Thailand in late spring. If you ever want to experience an incredible resort stay in a spectacular setting they whole-heartedly recommend the Banyan Tree Resort. Individual Thai cottages with private swimming pools scattered throughout incredible tropical gardens. Relaxation, great food and many heated rounds of Canasta were the order of the day.Kauai, Hawaii also made the itinerary after Joe spent a week with the family in So. California and Las Vegas. Unfortunately, JR could not make the trip because of Disneyland's heavy summer schedule, however Joe, Gerri and Alexis managed to enjoy a great time in Princeville in the comfort of a very large two-bedroom condo over-looking the Pacific. Again, many hands of Canasta were played and much to Joe and Gerri's dismay, Alexis has become a very worthy adversary!
 worthwhile project. During the year Alexis played on the Volleyball and Softball teams. During the summer she completed her Driver's Training Course, passed the test with 100% and spent hours behind the wheel with her Mom. She also participated in the Laguna Beach HS volleyball camp. When she returned to school in the fall she was once again on the Volleyball team and this year she decided to follow in JR's footsteps and join the swim team. She recently participated in their yearly biathlon, where she swam 1000 meters and ran 2k. As for her academic pursuits, she decided to join the newspaper staff this year as photo editor. Her list of classes include Advanced Placement US History, ceramics/sculpture, and Mandarin III. JR Employed by Disneyland J R spent Christmas '98 in Singapore. During his visit the Hickmans were able to travel as a family to Nepal. What a fascinating country! The best part of the trip however was just being together as a family. After his return to California, he interviewed at Disneyland and subsequently got a job. He has been working there part-time ever since. He works at a food concession stand in Adventureland called the Bengal Barbecue. JR is looking forward to working his way into the fry cook position. Disneyland is great for kids in college as they accommodate their class schedule. His Sophomore year at CSULB is treating him great. His classes are going well and he has a wonderful roommate this year. What a difference that makes!!!JR would like you to visit him at his web page.
99 Highlights The Hickmans discover Nepal & Thailand JR gets part-time job at Disneyland Alexis paves the way for Jimmy CarterJR dumps lousy roommate, smooth sailing with replacement Alexis makes SAS Volleyball & Swim teamsJoe surfs at high speed from home with new 500mhz PC & high speed connectionJoe & Gerri enjoy Phuket, ThailandSummer in Southern California, Las Vegas & Hawaii Alexis hits the streets with new driver's licenseGerri heads one of the most popular electives at Singapore American SchoolWeekending in Indonesia Joe touches down on most of the world's continents in 1999Lookout Tiger Woods, Gerri now has clubs and is ready for the linksJoe & Gerri explore CambodiaGerri & Alexis heading to USA for Christmas in So. CaliforniaJoe fights the Y2K bug Joe & JR introduce new homepages
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Interesting, as China is so unique to the rest of the world. The thought processes, the power of government, the very rich and oh so many poor… 
anywhere in the world…) and the fact that between Beijing and Shanghai (the two largest cities in China) there are only 30 million people in both cities… Where are the other 1.17 billion people hiding?
“Nein, American” But saying that I hope I don’t have to listen to comments about 
