Welcome to the Paul and Vicki Terhorst Travel,
Early Retirement, and Contemplation Page
We are Paul and Vicki Terhorst. We retired young and are now perpetual travelers. This
page tells where we are, what we're up to, and how to reach us by email. We last updated this page on May 25, 2012 from Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The Present:
Paul and I arrived in Chiang Mai to a warm welcome and just in time to celebrate my 63rd birthday on May 12th.
The following Sunday, the 20th, two Thai friends (Am and Ooy) put together a fun day outing for Paul
and me. The plans changed at the last minute because a favorite aunt of Ooy died late Saturday
afternoon. So Am picked me up early Sunday morning and we drove to the aunt's neighborhood wat
(Buddhist complex). The closed coffin was placed in a special, open-air hall. Here family and friends will gather together during the next few days in order to accompany the departed and to participate in daily Buddhist blessing ceremonies
.
Upon arrival at the wake, Am and I paid our respects in the traditional Thai manner (lit some
incense and said a prayer for the deceased and her family) and left a donation. Ooy chatted
with me during her free moments from her duty of greeting mourners.
She told me that on Sunday morning the announcement of her aunt's death had been broadcast on
the village speakers which also informed the neighbors that they could pay their respects at
the local wat.
In Thailand, the fact that everyone now has TVs, radios, newspapers and
internet has yet to supersede the old-fashioned way of reporting neighborhood news through a
loudspeaker. Public loudspeakers broadcast both local and sometimes important
national news right before the national anthem is played daily at 8:OOAM and 6:00PM. All
activity comes to a dead stop and everyone stands when the national anthem rings across the
land.
Am and I left about 1pm. On our way back to my hotel we stopped by Wat Ou Sai Kham,
which has a gem of a temple with several large jade Buddhas. This
temple vibrates with healing energy. We meditated, soaked in the healing vibes, and prayed for
everyone.
The Past:
A couple of quotes from her newsletter:
"The world is alive with opportunity. Specifically, in the context of
this Retire Overseas Conference, the world is alive with opportunity
for places and ways to enjoy an interesting, welcoming, beautiful,
friendly, engaging, adventure-filled, and, sometimes, very affordable
retirement." (April 30th)
"Welcome to the 'Perpetual Traveler' workshop,"
Paul Terhorst remarked at the start of his and Vicki's special presentation on being a perpetually traveling retiree overseas. "Otherwise known as the looniest discussion of this entire conference. Who in the world would want to do this?"... (May 2nd)
The Future:
After a few of months in Chiang Mai we plan to travel to Chengdu, China.
Here are two pictures from our visit to Tonghai, China in 2011
After China we'll return to Chiang Mai.
Our travel plans are fluid but
at the beginning of 2013 you will most likely find us somewhere in India.
Timeless:
Consider visiting Vicki's newest CONTEMPLATION offering: Remember Your Heart's Intention. (You can still contemplate Recognition work and Honoring work too.)
Thank you for visiting our page.Our email address is paulvic@yahoo.com.
