Tourism in Thailand.

I cannot believe that I have been home from our Thailand vacation for almost two weeks now. Time has started flying by quicker and quicker, and I can only expect that these last six months of Peace Corps will seem to be over in the blink-of-an-eye. Again, I apologize for my lack of blog postings as of late. As you may know, I am working on my Master's paper for my IYFD degree, and a person can only do so much writing. Since I have been averaging about fifteen to twenty-five hours on my paper each week, I am usually too exhausted to share with you the mundane and seemingly repetitive parts of my life.

Back to Thailand, though, which was definitely not mundane. In the Philippines, Holy Week is a time where work shuts down and religious ceremonies, including crucifixions (sp?), take place. Which means it is the perfect time for cultural sharing. This year, we decided to culturally share...somewhere else. So we boarded a plane for Thailand for nine lovely days of just being tourists, which is what Peace Corps Volunteers need sometimes. It is a way to escape the constant feeling of "being on" and a way to just have fun. So, we did...check out the pictures below...

We try to buy giant goldfish every time we travel...

Enjoying the Floating Market in Bangkok

52 stories above Bangkok at Breeze Restaurant

Wat Saket in Bangkok

"Today is better than two tomorrows."

Wat U Mong in Chiang Mai

No shoes allowed in the meditation tunnels at Wat U Mong in Chiang Mai.

We visited a Hmong Village outside of Chiang Mai...although it was basically a street lined with shops for curious tourists, it might have been the highlight of my trip.

Elephant ride at Mae Sa Elephant Village.

Angela putting an elephant in place at Mae Sa Elephant Village in Chiang Mai.

Trunk-drawn paintings, done by the elephants at Mae Sa Elephant Village.

Hula Hooping.

Alex and I enjoying riverside patios and live music in Chiang Mai.

Thai food from our cooking class at Thai Farm, Chiang Mai. So delicious!

Angela and I at our cooking class in Chiang Mai.

Blessing ceremony performed by a monk in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai.

Angela and I practicing our HIV education at Cabbages & Condoms Restaurant in Bangkok. All proceeds go towards family planning program in Thailand.

Wat Arun in Bangkok.

Wat Pho in Bangkok.