PHOTO-A-DAY CHALLENGE

Between the Years

Week 74 of the photographic documentary of my daily life

I’ve written my review on 2021 already, at least regarding my writing journey. I’m not going to say it was a horrible year nor the best year of my life. Extremes are a bit over-exaggerating things in my eyes.

I’m living day by day even though as I’m getting older I might be planning more than a month or two ahead. Sometimes I do know where in the world I will be in 3 months from now. But only sometimes. Other times I’m still going with the flow.

So here I am. In between the years. Watching a stunning sunrise in Thailand.

I didn’t even have to get up for this view. I just had to lift the curtains a little and this was the view unfolding in front of my eyes while lying in bed.

This is the view I’m offering you as I’m saying goodbye to 2021. This picture was taken while steering a canopy at about 2000 feet in the air with a DSLR camera mounted to the top of my helmet and connected to a tongue switch.

While skydiving I’m taking pictures with my tongue, that’s correct.

We had a calm New Year’s Eve with a befriended couple and a barbeque at their place. The evening involved lots of chatting, even more laughter, and of course, a couple of beers.

On the first day of 2022, I got a picture for you representing growth. I bought a tiny plant on the local market when I just got to Thailand and thought it would fit into the small apartment.

Well, one month later this plant is not so tiny anymore and has outgrown its container. I surely have to replant it to give it more nutrients and soil.

Let’s take that for 2022. Look for growth in life by giving yourself enough space to do so.

While there will be no skydiving operation happening all around the world on the first of each year, we’re back to work on the second of January again.

And not only that, but just a few days after being reunited again with my husband, we’re back at spending 24/7 together. And when I say 24/7 I really mean it. Even when we work and skydive.

In this picture for example. I am the photographer and he is the tandem instructor taking the client for a ride in the air. We’ll be flying in front of each other’s eyes for about 45 seconds before separating for a few meters to open our parachutes. And that is how much we’ll be apart for this day. About 5 minutes, the time we spend under the parachute.

You better like each other when you live and work together.

We drove to the city of Pattaya today to give back the scooter I rented the day I arrived in the country and get a bigger and better one. I contacted a guy on Facebook and we got a bike we are now happy with.

Just as we were leaving the shopping center my husband pointed out this tiny umbrella. I had to stop to get out my camera. I just love these tiny umbrellas. Do you have any idea what they are for?

I saw them in action, that’s why I know it. Here in Thailand food delivery companies are booming and the deliveries are being done, of course, on scooters. While those scooter guys and girls must be street savvy, they also need to know where to drop off the food.

Installing a phone holder on the steering of the bike is an easy option but in Thailand’s heat, those phones are exposed to lots of sunshine and heat. So why not place a tiny umbrella above them to protect the important devices.

Smart, right?

Don’t ask me how much these umbrellas do help in the end. I just love the idea of it.

This is my favorite little farmer’s market here in Thailand. It’s a family selling their fresh vegetables and setting up the stalls every Tuesday and Thursday. When we lived here in 2019 we were regular customers and I was known as the lady that brings her own bags and does not tolerate any veggies wrapped in plastic.

Today was our reunion. I can tell the lady recognized us. But our conversation doesn’t go past hello and thank you. Because we speak more Thai than she does English.

We bought some lemons, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and spring onion, garlic, and one cauliflower — all of it for just 95 Baht. That’s about 2,50€ or $2,80.

So aside from it being fresh, unpacked, and straight from the farm, it is also cheaper than getting it from the supermarket.

Back at work. Today I was doing two training jumps with a student. The exit wasn’t the best she did, but I could control it and keep her stable. I love working with students because I enjoy teaching others new skills.

This picture was taken with a camera mounted to my chest. It allows me to have free hands in the air. All I need to do is switch it on before leaving the aircraft.

This has been my week in photographs. 7 days. 7 photographs. Anyone can join. Once. Or weekly. It doesn’t matter. We welcome everyone! Dennett was the one starting this photography challenge in summer 2020 and many have participated ever since.

Erika / Eileen / K. Barrett / Juan / David / Mia / Susan / LensAfield / Kim / Barbara / Diana / Barb / Sandra / Shruthi / Ellie / Pene / Olive / Gustavo / Jane / Penny

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