Sabaidee!!
So I'm here and I'm finally getting around to starting this blog. It's been a whirlwind two weeks so far, and internet is brutally slow most places - it's all I can do to just check email and maybe send a few quick replies.. Anywho, better late than never, right?
I'm in Vientienne, Laos right now, and leaving for Hanoi tonight. I'm with a great group - my leader, Kalyn from Canada, Karis, another trainee, then our passengers who are also great (a couple more Canadians, an Aussie, and a guy from Scotland). We meet more people tomorrow night in Hanoi and our total group will be about 15.
So far I think my favorite place has been Cahing Mai, in Northern Thailand. It's so beautiful and slow pavced and the people are amazing. We took a really fun cooking course and then went to a temple on the top of a mountain to watch the monks chant at dusk. You can go around and have them bless you, too, which was pretty amazing.
Presently I"m recovering a bit from out stopover in Vang Vieng - it's mostly a backpacker town, pretty seedy, really, but has some awesome caves and the river is nice. It's also renound for it's tubing - now, I've done my share of tubing back home, with a tube for the beer cooler, etc., but this is like that times 100, at least. We probably only tubed for 50 yards or so, b/c every few hundred feet there is a themed bar - with plenty to drink, of course, and some sort of attraction - a huge slide, a zip line, swings, mud pools, etc. I made the mistake of daring the zip line and, well, I'm just not that graceful and I'm pretty sure I have whiplash! But it was a lot of fun and we met some fun people along the way. I've been taking it easy the last couple of days, though, and definitely taking advantage of the $5 massages. I think I've had 5 so far....
I think I'm going to really like the job. It's been overwhelming so far, but I'm starting to catch on, and I've been picking up the languages much easier than I thought. I'm getting my numbers down, which really helps when bargaining!
Ok, I'm off to check out this stupa in town, and maybe a temple or two before we catch our flight. As soon as I can upload some pictures I will, but it has been easier said than done, for sure.
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Awesome. This is a good move, this blog.
ReplyDeleteI helped a kid from Laos learn English when I was in elementary school. That's the extent of my Laos knowledge.
Also, Nicole has decided we're to do the zip line in Maui on our honeymoon. Your story did not fill me with confidence.
It sounds like you're having a blast. Be careful!
sounds like you are having a blast - I love the blog!!! Be safe and stay in touch!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are blogging! Your adventures sound pretty awesome - can't wait to visit you! Miss you tons!!!
ReplyDeleteHey...this will be great way to keep up with your adventures. It all sounds amazing, have fun!
ReplyDeleteI can see you now...trying to bargain in another language. So cute! Haha. I am so jealous by the way. Sounds like you are having an amazing time. Can't beat $5 massages no matter where you are:-) I love the blog! Thanks for taking the time to keep us posted. Love You!
ReplyDeleteMelina
The first, and only time I ever ziplined I was 11. I had just finished a ropes course, and though I saw them unhook my safety from the ropes course, I did NOT see them reattach me to the zipline, so I literally thought if I did not hold onto the bar I would fall (60 feet) to my death. I can't wait to try it when I know I'm not relying on pure arm strength to keep me up there!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to read about your exploits here!!
I wish I could have seen you on the zipline. Good luck with bargaining in another language. Just another thing you can add to your list of talents. Be safe and I love you! You always seem to enjoy life and it is fun to read about.
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