It is not the best place, but for some reasons the children love the place loads. It is much smaller pool than ours, but they will stay in it all day. I guess they make new friends and it is a bit different. The good thing for me is adults can have lunch and chat. The children just run around and play.
Friday evening I stayed home trying to rest up and get back in my feet. It was a good call and I got see my Phuket crew here Saturday night. I love seeing Emma and Iwisyi, there is something about friends that knew you pre baby. I let us like they knew a different version of your self. Had a little food and the usual tour on our neighbouring bustling street Soi 11.
I was not feeling entirely well but decided a fresh air walk, some good women, and a glass of wine might help. It was a sipping and chatting wine might. I prefer a bit more structure but also appreciate when I don’t do it every time. Therefore, it was perfect.
Luis is still very much getting use to actually being free on a week night and actually a weekend. He is hoping to make Wednesday's a night we all get out of the house. Last night Sebastian met us with Nin in the bank and we headed to a famous pizza place, Pizza Pala Romana. It always has huge queues for the take away pizzas. They offer a huge range of slices, both with regular cheese and vegan cheese. Luis went when his friends were here and loved it. It was good but I just do not think I am that into pizza. I loved that they had vegan options, and at least 8 but still not sure I would rush back. Possibly for a salad or pasta. But it was nice to be on the town with my boys.
We spent her first 6 years in Bruton, where we were an inseparable pair. It is here where Lola started to become a master of escape. I would be at The Sun Inn working, a few streets away and she would somehow break out of the house and end up beside me in the pub. People knew that if they invited me to dinner, they got both of us. She loved the hills of Somerset, we spent many a day exploring the landscapes around us. After six years she was ready for an adventure so off to Basel we went.
Lola continued to be a master of escape here, twice jumping out of our third floor building due to some thunder and lightning. One time after hours of scouring the city, a friend thought to go check the train station as we lived quite close. A train conductor heard Clair yelling and came running over, he had found Lola boarding a train to Lake Como. She always did have good taste. For three years we enjoyed hiking the mountains together, but Lola decided we should head to South America in search of a Daddy.
We left in 2014 for Ecuador and shortly after our arrival her dream came true. On a trip to the Cloud Forest, Lola met the Daddy of her dreams. We were in a local bar, when Lola saw Luis. She gave him her best smile and wagging tale. Luis could not resist her and that was it Lola had found the best Daddy for her family. Here in Ecuador she loved the mountains but especially the beach, in particular Canoa. Here she spent lots of time with her newly expanding family. One time she even barked at me like crazy for an hour trying to warn me of the imminent earthquake. I didn't quite understand but was so thankful that she was beside me and Luis for the next 12 hours trying to help the people of Canoa. Soon after Luis officially became part of our team and we were off to Phuket.
In Phuket Lola decided she was really ready for a brother. She was so happy when I was pregnant with Sebastian, she lied beside my big belly and made sure we were always safe. I remember the day we returned from England and I introduced her to her new brother, Sebastian. She was so excited and slept beside him every day. She made sure no one messed with her brother.
Eight months later, we got separated by Covid, and Lola fought for six months to get reunited with us in our new home in The Bahamas. She made a long journey of 48 hours, in a small crate, to get to us. She was pretty sick after, the vet was unsure if she would get better. But he did not know our Lola Cola. Within a month she was running up and down our beach with her brother Sebastian. Two years of beach runs, and we were on our way back to what we did not know would be her last set of adventures.
Lola spent her golden years here in Bangkok. With her loving family. We had Lola days out as much as we could, and took her all over Thailand for holidays and weekends. She was a lover of the beach, mountains but most of all hanging out with her family. The other night Sebastian asked me if Lola could speak, I said yes, but not in the normal way. I always knew what Lola was saying. Sebastian, she told me every day how much she loved her brother and how proud of you she was. Luis, she told me that you were the best Daddy ever and she loved all your adventures together.
The one, the only, Lola Cola, she will always be part of our family.
Nadias' Poem:
A Prayer for Lola
"What is a prayer?" said the little dog. Hmm well that is an interesting question- and prayer can mean many things to many people, to the many people in your life. As a a dog you could think of it...
Like a collar that keeps you connected to others, give you a secutiry
Like your dog tag which gives you identity and helps you when you may get lost
Like a lead which gives you guidance, helps you know where to go
Like your food which nourishes you and keeps you healthy
Like the many wonderful walks that took you to different places and filled your senses and gave you should visions a head
Like your family who loves and cares for you when you are happy or sad, when it is a bright day or there are troubles
"Oh I like the sound of that", said the little dog
"I would like one of those prayers"
But why for me?" she continued to ask.
Because you are special and need to know that,
and because today we are celebrating you -
and this prayer is part of that.
And so this is for you Lola. A prayer for Lola. And this is prayer is for Amanda, Luis and Sebastian who we are hold tightly today and always. And this is a prayer for all of us as we gather here together.
Last night I held Lola's Memorial service. I would be lying if I said it was everything I wanted. I chose the wrong hymn version of All Things Bright and Beautiful. Sebastian was very upset and angry and I could not help but be feeling judged about it. Whether that is true or not. I think he has been taking it all very hard, but it was still hard to manage my own expectations about him sitting perfectly through the service. Nadia wrote a beautiful poem and I was proud of my Eulogy for her. She was one amazing dog, and the out pouring of people still writing me to tell me how amazing they thought she was is so special. She will most certainly be missed.
It is so difficult being at home. I think it is getting harder, rather than easier. This weekend, I took Sebastian to the beach again. We were offered a ride with some friends and I took it. Luis was away with his friends and being at home is so lonely without Lola. It was a nice relaxing weekend, we had a crazy good price on a lovely resort. It did rain, as it is rainy season, but most of Saturday was beautiful. We had room service in the room and enjoyed movies and cuddles at night. It was just what I needed. But returning home Sunday to no Lola, was again, not easy. My heart is physically aching. I am now trying to full up my days. As they feel so empty without her.
This blog will forever be AmandaandLola, my adventures really took off when we met and I will continue them with her in my heart forever. I compiled this short video for the family. It really could have been an hour a long, but I thought that was a bit much. Lola we love you and miss you. The struggle has been real the last few days. Luis had friends from Ecuador fly in Sunday, which is actually a good distraction. But last night they went out to dinner, Sebastian to bed and I sat watching TV alone for the first time in well about 18.9 years. It was strange.
I go back and forth with social media but at times like this it is so comforting. Between facebook, Insta and even emails I have had over 250 messages about Lola. And not just saying sorry for your loss but from people all over the world whose lives she touched. Memories of her, things I had forgotten and the utmost respect for what she meant to me (not just a dog and that it was expected at her age). Lola was so loved from people all over the world and it has so helped to read all of these messages. These are just a few of the many.
