B"H

Bangkok

Thailand

September 18, 2025

Hello,

Today is my Birthday.  I am Eighty-five.

I am well.  I have family and friends who care about me.       

I am active.  I am happy.

Since I have been an expatriate and a traveler for more than twenty-five years, I have celebrated my birthday in several locations.

For example, in 2011 in Russia, I was visiting the small city of Vladimir.   I sang Happy Birthday to myself as I wandered around town.

In 2014 in Lithuania, in the small city of Palanga, I met Rima, a rehabilitation physician and her husband Mindaugas.   Since Rima was on duty the evening of my birthday, we three had a small party in her hospital office.

Over the years I have had several large gatherings in restaurants here in Bangkok and at Jomtien Beach, my get-out-of town pad.  Thai friends and expat friends from Afghanistan, America, Australia, Canada, England, France. Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, South Africa and South Korea have celebrated my birthday with me.

 At one party my Thai friend Nai came with her very young daughter.  Little Samantha kneeled on her chair, bent over the cake and helped me blow out the candles.  Samantha is now a high school senior!

This year I’ll have a party with my friends at Jomtien Beach.

You might ask, “So far, Jan, where was your favorite birthday party during your expatriate and travel years?”

That’s easy to answer:  Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China.

Click on the photo above for photos from Bangkok.

Scroll down for the videos from China.

Click here for the full story from Dunhuang and the stunning Dunhuang Yardang National Geo Park.

Finally, My Friends, Thank You for your encouragement and friendship for all these years.  With your support, and continued good fortune, I’ll keep on goin’.

Be well,

Papa Jan