First week in Bangkok!

So many things have happened already in the past week. We arrived at our condo (which was being lent to us by a friend until we found our own place), knowing it was unfurnished, ready to just get a good night of sleep. We had to bring 2 mattresses up the elevator from the 12th floor to the 15th floor in order to have something to sleep on. The only pillows we had were our neck pillows from the plane. We had no blankets either. After falling asleep, covered by our towels, our friend Jonah stopped by with the best gifts ever...pillows and blankets and toilet paper!!

There have been many surprises getting used to a completely new culture. The toothpaste is salty (really weird), we are boiling our water one little pot at a time (had to buy something to cook with!), ovens don't exist in any condo (too hot), we don't have a refrigerator so our meals consist of PB&J or pasta and tuna, and we have learned to be very careful to look both ways several times before crossing any street or parking lot (1. Cars drive on the left, 2. They don't stop for pedestrians, 3. And motorbikes rule everything).

The best news is that we have a condo of our own now! We officially signed the contract today. It has pretty paint on the walls, a washing machine, a pool on the roof along with a grill, a gym, and the best part is it's close enough that I can walk to work!

Well that's it for now. Le krong

Hong Kong

We have been in Hong Kong for 4 nights and are leaving to go to Bangkok later this evening. Hong Kong is a whirlwind of people, hills, tall buildings, food, and little shops tucked into every corner you could imagine. All the signs are in English so we only got lost once. Not too bad for being in a foreign country huh?

We took the cable car to see Big Buddha the first day. It was nice, but extremely touristy. The first night our wonderful hosts, Vicky and Nacho, took us to their regular hangout spot called Falfela. It was a little bar that had amazing middle eastern food and some of the friendliest people I have ever met. That was when I first realized how very different the night life is here. It felt like being in a movie because so many bars are just under tents and you can drink in the streets. Very different from Chicago that's for sure.

We also went to the Nan Lian garden and the nunnery which is close by. It was beautiful and gave me some very good incite to the Chinese culture, religion, and the peace that it can bring you. Words cannot describe how it made me feel. This for sure was one of my favorite things in Hong Kong. We ate at Nacho's restaurant called Vi Cool that night. It was on the mainland and we got lost trying to find it. Between Allison and I though, we figured it out. We decided that we work really well together without getting mad at each other.

Yesterday we went to The Peak which is the highest point in Hong Kong. How amazing it was to feel like you are standing on top of the world. Allison and I walked the 2.5 mi hike up the mountain. It felt good to be active again after being so send entry. Not that we haven't been walking a lot, but this trek took just over an hour.

Well I am going to go enjoy my last day in Hong Kong. Let's see what kind of adventures it will bring today!

One more week

My time in Chicago has been incredible. I have learned so many things about myself and have grown to be comfortable in my own skin. I guess it's time for the next step. As much as I am ready to move to the next stage of my life, I am going to miss a lot of people who have made such strong impacts on my life, both here in Chicago and family across the US. This past month has been extremely emotional as I am finally realizing that am leaving. I don't know if there has been a day I have gone without crying. So many changes and they are all happening so quickly. As moving day gets closer and closer, I am trying to spend time with as many people as I can. Saying good bye is never easy, but I just have to remember it's only good bye for now. I'm not sure where life will take me after this amazing experience in Thailand, but I know I won't be gone forever!