Shopping spree

I arrived in Bangkok late last night. Jeeda, Wendy, and Munglee drove me in with all my stuff in the back of their pick-up truck. I was supposed to leave Sunday, so Saturday we did all the 'last night' things. Really what that means is a nice dinner at Jeeda and Wendy's, then a visit to my favorite shake place, where I got my last oreo shake, and then a nice ride all around town seeing everything in the dusk and saying good-bye. Friday night was the big going away party with all my school teacher friends and government workers. It was a big feast where we went around the table and everyone said something nice about me and then I have a little speech and thanked everyone and said how much I loved them and loved Uthai Thani and how I wouldn't forget them, and I'll come back to visit often.

I've had a good week to pack up so the process wasn't my usual rushed experience. And I knew if I didn't pack something it would go to a needy person, so, as the Thai's do, I could just leave a lot of stuff in the house. I also filled a few large bags with clothes and books that my co-teacher gave to the needy students at school. There will be kids walking around with American clothing for years to come!

Jeeda, Wendy, and I have always talked about going out to a dance club together and last night was supposed to be that night. But we didn't get into Bangkok till 10, so we all just climbed into bed and went to sleep, until they had to leave at 4am to get to work on time. It was an ok good-bye, not as sad as I thought. I've had my moments of crying: a few times in the last weeks I've gone into their house crying over leaving. Last time Wendy broke into tears too. In usual Thai fashion we just say 'Never mind' and brush it all off, but I was happy that Jeeda and Wendy acknowledged my tears and there were lots of hugs to be had by all.

So today's been good. Feels like just another day in Bangkok really. I went to the mall and got some shoes, a few $2.50 DVD's, and a couple cute shirts. I'm trying to take advantage of what I know I will look back on and think is really cheap prices, but I'm not quite there yet. Can you believe I think $10 is a lot for a shirt. I can see how ridiculous I'm being, yet am still having trouble coughing up the money.

If I think it's tough living on $5 a day, what am I going to do as a student in NY making nothing??