rasta girl

Somebody called me rasta girl today! I am going to take that as a compliment...it is the first time a stranger has really acknowledged my dreads. They've been in for 6 weeks now and there is NO going back. They are obviously still forming and tightening, but I realized the other day I couldn't take them out if I wanted to. It is kinda scary to think about, but it makes me extremely happy that I have actually gone ahead and done something I've been wanting to do for such a long time! Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Other than that, still in Chiang Mai. I really love this city. If I had more time, I would spend much more time here. Last night we all went to a huge night market and shopped and ate some great food. Tomorrow we head to Pai, a small hippie-ish community further north. There is an organic farm there we are all going to work on.

Also, here are a few pictures! Finally, right? I will only post a few because it takes so long, but I will post them all via Facebook/Myspace for those of you who desire to look. Enjoy!

anyone want to join a circus with me??

Yesterday was one of those days that had me asking myself, "Is this for real?" more than once. After spending 6 hours wandering aimlessly around Chiang Mai waiting to check into our guesthouse, we found out it was full! Luckily we stumbled across a really unique guesthouse and art gallery on a side street during our wanderings. We decided to go back there and see if they had rooms available, which they did. After settling in and sleeping for about 3 hours I woke up and decided to hang out downstairs in the yard. The people I met were great!

First, I met a man who tells me he has been in Thailand studying yoga for a month. This works out perfectly because one of the things I wanted to explore on this trip was yoga...perfect! He has a studio recommended for me to check out! I also found out that he is really good at Poi, the art of fire dancing, which is something Adam and Morgan want to learn. He gave Adam and Morgan a lesson right there on the spot. He also is helping me learn how to whistle, which is another goal for my trip! Then I meet a man who is studying massage and so is his girlfriend. He tells me she can bring a masseuse over to my room anytime! Great!

By this time Alexis, Adam, and Morgan have all joined me on the porch. We then meet two musicians that were practicing in the yard. Turns out they are part of a traveling circus! They have been traveling all around Europe and Asia for about 5 years by bicycle. Their bikes are crazy! One has a big elephant head on the handlebars and the seat is up really really high. The other bikes are just as interesting. As they ride they stop randomly and put on a little bit of a circus/variety show in small villages, cities, markets...wherever. They have met quite a few people who are very generous and have experienced a very different type of traveling. After we meet these two, another one of their friends shows up. Suddenly the whole yard turns into a circus. They have a banjo, violin, trumpet and a trombone out. Then they bring out the clubs and practice juggling. Another girl is doing handstands, Adam, Morgan, and Hemmo are practicing their poi. Alexis is trying to juggle the clubs. I'm just taking it all in, thinking, "Is this for real?" It was a surreal moment. Later that night we all headed to a local park with the instruments, clubs, a frisbee, the poi, and Morgan and I brought our recorders. We spent our night in the park just playing.

After yesterday, I've been a bit inspired and I've decided that a traveling circus/variety show is the way to go! If anyone else reading this agrees, let me know! In about a year or so we can get bikes together and random acts to perform and hit the road! I really think this would be a great experience. So, all my weird friends (and I know I have plenty) unite and get ready to take our show on the road!

waiting...

I've been doing a lot of waiting the past few days...for ferries, trains, buses, and places to open. Luckily I'm not too impatient. The past couple of days have been spent traveling from southern Thailand to the north. Because we wanted to travel cheap our options were not so great. On Thursday we left Koh Tao on a ferry. After a 2 hour ferry ride we took a night bus, from 7 pm until 5 am to Bangkok. 5 am-2:30 pm on Friday was spent waiting to take the train up to Chiang Mai. We rode the train from 2:30pm until 6am on Saturday. It was an interesting experience. The landscape was beautiful. Lots of beautiful rice paddies, little villages, and random temples and huge Buddha statues scattered everywhere. At one point we passed an old temple that had at least 35 little monkeys running around outside. Since the train was overnight all of our seats turned into little beds, which was nice.
It's not so much the traveling part that has been annoying, but just the feeling of being so displaced. We have been killing time with nowhere in particular to go. It's not so fun exploring and lugging a huge backpack around, while trying not to stick out as a tourist!
Now we have made it to Chiang Mai. As I'm writing this I'm currently waiting to check into a hostel, go figure. Not sure what's on the agenda, but I'm thinking a nice Thai massage is in order for today. Planning on taking a Thai cooking class in the next few days.
Ok, I have one minute left...sorry for the abrupt ending. I will write more later!

8 days

Today is my eighth day in Koh Tao. Adam, Morgan, and Alexis have been doing lots of diving so I have had lots of free time. Luckily we ended up meeting some quality people that I've been hanging out with while everyone is diving. We met them at a place called the Car Bar, a great little VW bus turned bar, which has a great chill atmosphere and good music. The guys we met are dive instructors here and have been living here for a few months. One of their friends is on a holiday so we are able to stay in his bungalow for quite cheap now that we have to leave the dive resort. The bungalow is nothing special, but it will do for a place to sleep.

I think we will spend a few more days exploring the island now that diving is done and then head off to Koh Phang Yan, another small island south of Koh Tao, to hit up the Full Moon Party. I've heard some crazy stories about it so I'm interested in checking it out.

I'm finding it difficult to upload pictures since the internet is so slow here, but soon, very soon! (I hope)

koh tao

is a beautiul island! I've been here for about 5 days and am enjoying relaxing on the beach! Adam and Morgan have been busy getting their scuba certifications. Alexis is joining the boys to get her advanced diving certificate, so I will have the next few days to relax by myself. The whole island is relatively chill, not too many tourists, which I have been enjoying. Sorry I can't write too much more, just wanted to give a quick update. I'm alive and well, I hope you all are too. I will write more when I can find a cheaper internet cafe!

b-b-b-Bangkok!

I made it to Bangkok! My trip has finally begun! I'm excited to travel at my own pace and really get a chance to explore and see things! Bangkok is a busy city and I still don't feel like I'm on holiday yet. It hasn't sunk in that I no longer have a job nor a permanent place to live. I am thinking after about 10 or 15 days it might hit me.

I had a great sendoff in Seoul! Lots of people came out for the going away party and I had some friends over the night before I left. I really have enjoyed my time in Seoul, but I am happy to be exploring. But, I'm gonna miss you guys!! =o)

Alexis made it to Bangkok about a half a day after Adam, Morgan and I did. Our travel party is complete. We are staying in a cheap but chill hostel on Khao san Road. The amotsphere is very touristy/backpacker/party! I'm not sure I like it too much, but I think it is an ok place to transition into a new culture. After a day here, though, I'm ready to get into a more traditional setting!

Today we went to Wat Po to see the "reclining Buddha." The architecture was beautiful! Bangkok is a mix of modern and traditional, which has been interesting. We will travel to a few other areas in Bangkok to explore tomorrow. By Saturday we all hope to be heading south to hit the beach!

Hope all is well! I will post pics as soon as I can.

I am...

officially a vagabond. As of Friday I no longer have a job or a place to live. It hasn't sunk in yet, but when it does it will feel quite good!

Friday was a hectice day! It was my official last day of being a teacher. I said goodbye to all my students and co-workers. I also moved out of my apartment and walked to the post office three times carrying heavy boxes to send home. I'm staying with a friend until I leave Seoul.

It's funny how time can go by so quickly.