heading east

It's funny how, at the start of all vacations (particularily the long ones) I'm always spazzing out about "can I do this? Can I really go away for 8 weeks? am I going to drive myself insane with just me, myself, and I to talk to? (this is the past 3 weeks)" and then, when it's time to start heading back, I start missing the thought of travel.

As I embark on the last leg of my journey (Hong Kong), it's crazy to think that I've been gone as long (or little) as 8 weeks. I've practically bypassed winter! Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited for a burrito and burger, but I'm also really sad that my adventure is coming to a close.

The last few days were comprised of the following:

-Being complimented by Thais, that the little Thai I've picked up, I 'sound like a real Thai'

-Helping to film some Thai friends' "Amazing Race Asia" video... we made them eat a grasshopper!

-Realizing that no matter where I am, I am truly a shopaholic.. and that's unwise to unleash me into a market with over 15,000 stands with no chaperone (I had to sit on my suitcase this morning). It's really quite remarkable what one can purchase for $80USD.

-Wearing my "NYC Face" (you know we all have those--it's the subway face "don't talk to me") and being asked by a Thai guy (who touched me!!) "why are you sad?!?" le sigh

-Being appalled, disgusted, and judgemental (I know, I shouldn't judge) by the massive number of farang/thai girl/boy relationships I've seen in Bangkok in the last 2 days (if it's true love, sure, but when the Thai person has limited english/2nd language skills, I tend to wonder). It really disturbs me how prevalent and open the(sex) relationship trade is here. I understand that it is about economic opportunity for many of these people, but the sheer delight that's on the farang's face, is, to put it bluntly, kind of gross.

-Thinking about all the food I'm going to eat when I get back to the states... and then thinking about how many calories I've consumed on this trip, without any exercise (I really thought I was going to get sick on this trip so I could get rid of the holiday/finals calories!)...and then thinking how I should go for a run (albeit, a slow snail's crawl run) the minute I get back to the states... and how a gym membership might be in order.

-Trying to figure out the names of Thai popstars, so I too, can continue to "quiver" in the states (a coffee morning joke)

-Realizing that all the thai food I thought was good in the states, is probably NOT that good.. and definitely without enough heat... which just means I'm going to have to keep sampling.. oh food, how I love thee.

time for some last minute fun.