Hello from Thailand!

I arrived in Bangkok safe and sound. It was a long haul over here from Portland, but well worth every moment. Even the awful woman sitting next to me. I vowed I would never be that obnoxious and the next thing I knew I was eating chicken (for the first time in years) because she was so mean to the poor stewardess I just couldn't bother her more... I've since eaten chicken almost every day. Good bye vegetarianism? Well it was psuedo anyway and on the trek I just returned from my other option would have been to starve... and I'm not about to do that. Thai food is too good =).

Bangkok was a bit overwhelming and busy. I booked an overnight train ticket up here to Chiang Mia the evening I got in. Here I've taken a cooking class, DELISH! and did a three day trek which included an elephant ride, bamboo and white water rafting, sleeping and eating with the local hilltribe village people and a great refreshing swimming hole complete with a water slide i.e. steep, slippery rock. There were 7 of us in my group. A really cool Aussie couple who are staying and working in an orphange here and are showing me the ins and outs of the city and 4 guys from Argentina who had been travelling around the world for 9 months. Part of the trek we were with another group of about 10, from all over, I was the only American. A South Korean couple provided all sorts of entertainment. The guy managed to catapult himself into the river from the bamboo raft fully submerging himself in the knee deep, still water, complete with camera around neck and fanny pack, so hilarious.

So I guess this is my blog... I hope I can manage it and keep you all posted on my travel adventures!