Can’t believe this is my last day in Thailand! I’ve had so much fun this week! (I haven’t wanted to watch TV even once!) Have to say I’ve enjoyed being a tourist. Totally different than living in a foreign country.

Some of the most memorable moments were when things went wrong. Like when we were wandering around the small town of Pai trying to find what I assumed was the name of a bar (the place where my guesthouse owner had said on the phone to meet). Avoiding many creepy stares, I took a chance and asked directions from a Thai tour agency guy. Was he going to be creepy too? Turned out to be the nicest person ever, and we later booked a tour with him. (We never did find that bar. If it even was a bar.)

Also, after meeting a bunch of European tourists, I have to say it was rather refreshing to finally meet some Americans yesterday! And not just any Americans, but I met a fellow East Coaster who taught English in Korea for a couple years! Unlike the others, when I saw him on the street later, I enthusiastically waved hello. Felt like I had finally made a new friend.

Last night, we needed a ride back to our guesthouse rather late at night, and it was difficult to find a taxi. So we ended up riding on the back of a couple of motorbikes instead. In the rain, in the dark. Think that was one of my favorite moments of the whole week.

It’s been a pretty epic vacation, and I hope to return to Thailand someday. (Did not get enough mango sticky rice and Pad Thai this week..) But I’m actually quite excited to return to Korea. I miss the land of kimchi.

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