Farewell

This song pretty much sums it up if u switch a few of the words.

It's been a pretty emotional couple days, having to say goodbye to many of my friends.  Last night I went out for one final blowout.  Had a good turnout despite only giving about a 3 hour notice to all my friends.  The night seemed to fly by and I really didn't want it to end.  Here's a few pics

Me and Sammy

 The Lovely An

 Love this group shot (and the people in the group)

Apple and An

 Last photo I had in my camera

Today I've just been starting to pack up a bit.  Tonight will probably just relax and reminisce over the last year.  Then tomorrow I'll finish packing, hang out a bit, and head to the airport around 9pm.  My dad's picking me up at the airport in Chicago and it will be great to see him.  I think I actually have less stuff to pack then when I came here which is weird.  

It's been quite a year, probably the most fun I've had, but also one of the most challenging and trying.  It's been really hard being away from the support of my family.  I've talked with them via skype, but not having them around for an entire year has been rough, especially when things were difficult.  You're probably thinking "this kid is 26, doesn't work, and is living in Thailand, what could he possibly have to worry about?".    Yeah, kind of spot on actually, but things happen.

I met a lot of great people here and I'll miss them all.  I'm really hoping to return, but have no immediate plans.  I need to find some work and make a pile of money.  I'm thinking about 1-2 years before I do something like this again.  I may do one more blog when I'm bored at the Korean airport for my layover, otherwise this is pretty much it. Pz out!

Favorite Thai Foodz

Decided to take some pics of some of my favorite cuisine I eat around Chiang Mai.  There's a few I've left out that maybe I'll edit in later, but these are most of them.

Pad Thai Gai (fried thai style noodles with chicken): I'm guessing most of you are familiar with this, pretty tasty.  This was taken when I first arrived and the restaurant has since gone down hill, but i believe this used to go for 35 baht (bout $1.15)

 Chicken and Potatoes with yellow curry (don't remember how to say it in thai): This is probably my most eaten dish at Aroon Rai restaurant. It's right by Thapae Gate which is where a lot of my favorite hang out spots are.  It's a little spicy but not too intense, really good when poured over rice. Price 50 baht (~$1.60)

 Khaw Pad Khiaw Wan Gai, i think that's how u say it (green curry fried rice with chicken): this is at Organic restaurant right by my condo.  Little spicy, price 30 baht ($1)

 Pad Krapaw Gai (this is one version of it): this is a pretty spicy dish, I've also had it at another place and couldn't even finish it b/c my mouth was on fire (you can pretty much tell them how spicy you want it and they'll oblige).  This is from Jok Sompet and actually didn't discover it until recently.  It's basically just a big piece of chicken with basil and a bunch of chilli's over some rice. Price 65 baht (~$2.10), can find it for 35-40 baht most places, but not as big a serving.

 Khao Soy Muu (spicy yellow curry noodle soup with pork):  this is something i used to never eat when I first came, but learned to enjoy it.  This is taken at Khao Soy Nimman, which is about a 6 minute walk from me down the street.  I get it with a coke and it's 74 baht, so I think the dish by itself is around 59 baht (~$2).  Had it elsewhere for cheaper, but I've found this place to be the best and most consistent.

 Muu Nam Tok (spicy pork with other stuff): probably my favorite dish, can be super spicy if you ask for it.  I have it with sticky rice which is really good to dip in the left over sauce.  This is at Gai Yang (fried chicken) restaurant, which is about a 5 minute walk from me. Price 55 baht (~$1.75)

That's all I have for now.  The first 3 months I was here, I don't think there was a single item up there that I was excited to eat, but as my budget changed I adapted and learned to love all of them.  That's probably going to be about it for my Thailand blog.  I keep waking up too late to visit anywhere, or it just rains so I can't drive anywhere.  I'll probably do one or two sad goodbye/wrap up blogs and then it's back to the USA for a while until I can get some money together.

Perks of Being Penniless/Chasing Waterfalls

It's hard to believe I'll be leaving Thailand in 3 weeks.  It will be interesting trying to re-adjust to America.  I've changed quite a bit here, and hopefully I'll still like my friends :p .  I'll also be penniless which got me thinking:

advantages of being penniless
-don't have to carry a wallet (for what? u don't have any money and credit cards are maxed)
-no cell phone, so can be a man of mystery (no one knows where u are or how to get a hold of you)
-no fear of bank accounts and other financials being stolen (there's nothing to steal)
-good dieting (can't afford fast food, or overeating)
-exercise (no car, so u leg it everywhere... especially if performing a dine+dash)

disadvantages of being penniless
-being penniless

Since most people enjoy pictures, and very few actually read the words i write, I will talk about my latest excursion.  I went to a lake about 25 minutes away, don't remember the name of it, but i'm 90% sure it started with a "H".  We then went to see Huay Kaaw Waterfall which is less than 5 minutes from my apartment and I've never been there. Here are some pictures.

Lake "H" something or another

little huts we chilled in 

 waterfall pic

 the only picture of me on this trip

 food we ate while at the lake

The food in that last picture was delicious and very spicy.  I started out in Thailand disliking most of the food, but now I think I will miss it.  Pictured from what I can remember is: Muu Manaaw (lemon pork, very spicy) Muu nam tok (spicy pork dish), gai yang (fried chicken, bout the only non spicy thing on the table), spicy salad (i think called sum tom or something in thai), rice (rice), and i'm not sure what that soup stuff was or the shell things.  We had more dishes brought out that I don't remember.

I'm looking at cheap things to do around Chiang Mai.  I will likely visit all the temples I haven't seen yet, and motorbike around. I will go against TLC's warning and go chase waterfalls, although I think I've seen just about all of them around here now.  That's about all I got for now.  Shoulder is getting better, but still fairly stiff.  At least now my arm swings normal when I walk so I don't look weird (or as weird).