Approaching The Finish Line...and Beyond!: #27. Escape from Bangkok

It's hard to believe it's already been more than a week since we left Thailand. The days leading up to our departure were, at times, absolutely miserable. We wouldn't want to relive them. Each day was filled with twists and turns and we never knew how much closer we would end up to leaving Thailand. The one thing that remained constant was that we would wake up and still be in Bangkok.

The theme for us, and others in the same situation, was all about 'getting out'. This was the goal and we worked hard each day towards doing just that. We were told (since there was no indication from Thai authority what the hell was going on) that 'getting out' could be soon or it could take several months. We were not willing to settle for the latter, so we got down to business. Some of our daily tasks were calling/visiting the US Embassy and lawyers as well as meeting up with other stranded families to discuss ideas and plans. Luke and Clare took advantage and had some great play dates!

Aussie/American play date while dads talk business

Clare and Sophia...separated at birth??

Nappin' by the pool

Oh...I forgot the most important and consuming daily task...trying to care of two 4-week old babies that very much deserved better than still being in Thailand.

Get us the hell outta here!

Our daily work was especially frustrating since it really wasn't clear to us what was necessary to leave the country. It was all about finding a way to satisfy Thai Military and Immigration without knowing specifically what might suffice. We were not the only unsuccessful people trying to leave Thailand. Some tried to leave the country accompanied by the surrogate mother. Others tried land border crossings into Cambodia. Many were working with 'connected' Thai lawyers hoping to find a way to exit. We investigated any and all options that were 'floating around'.

In the end, for us, it was through the help of the US Embassy that we left Thailand on Friday, August 22. We essentially (and frustratingly) left Thailand the same way we attempted the previous week. We took the same paperwork with one additional letter from the Embassy verifying we vowed to parent the twins until they turn 18 (they could have said 118). The only difference was that a US Embassy agent accompanied us through the Immigration process. We will probably never know what happened to allow us to leave in this way (or what agreement was made). We also don't care. We got out. This time, all four of our passports were stamped

Best passport stamp ever!

and we were one step closer to being home. It was HUGE relief despite the exhaustion that built getting to this point. We took a moment to have a seat, relax, and enjoy people (who may or may not have known our predicament) walk by smiling at us (one even took a photo) and fawn over our children. It had been awhile since that felt good. Of course, our first five minutes past immigration did not happen without a little controversy. Unbeknownst to us, we sat on a back-to-back bench with unattended bags left behind on the other side. So, as we enjoyed our triumphant moment, we were surrounded by an entourage of airport security. We could have cared less....we got out!