Bye Bye Philippines

My Philippines adventure is over.  I'm high in the air on my way to Chiang Mai, with a quick stop in Bangkok.  I see a long muddy river winding below us, and I wonder if it's the Mekong.

Last night we had a final supper up on the rooftop of Harold's Mansion, all the Peace Corps folks who were leaving, and a few who were staying for a bit.  I was able to write a letter to Joy, which made me happy.  It will be delivered by Janet, who has been volunteering at LCP.

Some of them went out for karaoke--they rented a private room.  I guess that's really big  in the Philippines.  I would have loved to go with them, but I was feeling too wretched from my sunburn.  I was asleep by 8:30!

Four of us rode to the airport and flew to Manila.  My companions had been living there for two years and were happy to be moving on.  I felt a little sad.  But now I'm on my own.  I've been following them around like a puppy for two weeks, as they knew the territory so well.

If all goes to plan, tonight I'll be checked into my guest house on Soi 5 Ratchadamnoen and can stroll down the alley to the Sunday Walking Market!  Maybe I'll buy a lot of stuff!  In many ways it'll be great to be in Thailand.  The Thai are MUCH more friendly (it is the 'land of smiles' after all) and I'll be staying in a tourist ghetto, more or less, with ready internet access!

And tomorrow morning I meet my new dentist and he'll drill holes in my skull and screw in a couple of implants for new teeth!  Wish me luck!