Hello family,

What a journey this has been! Asia welcomed me with open arms and showed me colors, flavors, and kindness I’ll never forget.

I started in the bustling streets of Bangkok, where the smell of street food fills the air from dawn to dusk. The monks in their orange robes walk past skyscrapers—old meeting new at every corner. I tried pad thai from a cart that’s been there for 40 years, and it was the best meal I’ve had in months.

Then on to Kyoto, where I walked through thousands of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari. My knees complained a bit on the climb, but the view was worth every step. The Japanese gardens taught me something about patience and beauty. Everything has its place, its purpose.

In Vietnam, I took a boat through Ha Long Bay. The limestone cliffs rising from emerald waters looked like something from a dream. A local fisherman shared his tea with me, and though we couldn’t speak each other’s language, we understood friendship just fine.

The temples, the markets, the smiles—Asia fills your heart up. I thought of you all often, wishing you could taste these foods, see these sights, meet these wonderful people.

Missing you all, but grateful for these memories.

Love,
Grandpa