Sawadii Bpee Mai Ka! - Hello New Year!

Happy New Year! 2009!

I returned safe and sound to Sawankhalok after spending five days in Bangkok. On New Year's Eve, there was a tragic fire at a nightclub in Bangkok and 60 people died. I wasn't anywhere near that club, and I didn't know about the incident until my dad called me early in the morning to make sure I was okay.

I spent New Years in the "backpackers" part of Bangkok known as Khao San Road. There are so many "farangs" or foreigners everywhere it is crazy - but it also means an abundance of non-Thai food. Like you can order yogurt, meusli, and fruit for breakfast instead of rice! We rang in the New Year over drinks at an outdoor bar, and eventually did some dancing too!

My friends and I made our New Years trip into an eating adventure, and by the end we had eaten Middle Eastern, Indian, Italian, Mexican, and Irish pub style food. I am glad to be back to Thai food, but it was a delicious change of pace to enjoy some other types of food! Actually, we did eat some Thai food in Bangkok...during our Vegetarian Thai Cooking Class! We learned how to make ten different vegetarian Thai dishes and of course we got to eat them after we were done cooking! Aroi maak! Very delicious!

It was also great to be in Bangkok for some shopping, like getting new running shoes and other things I can't get in my town. Being with my ETA friends was also great, and I really appreciate having them as support networks. All in all, you could say my New Years was full of good friends, good food, and good conversation!

It is Monday afternoon, and I have one more class to teach. Then I am off to take care of errands - like getting a new bike tire because I have a flat :(

My dad recently sent me lots of books, plus I exchanged with some friends this past weekend so I am extremely excited for the literary potential of my evenings! It is funny how much you can appreciate a good book!

I hope you all had great New Years! I hope 2009 brings you happiness and healthiness!

Love, Kate