July 19th, 2012 began just like any other morning. You know, Shawney, Hannah, Sydney, and Heidi woke me up by singing "Happy Birthday" and putting french toast (made in a wok in Thailand!) in my lap. As you can probably imagine, I was completely besides myself. According to Shawney, I opened my eyes slowly, got a huge smile on my face, and said, "Is this real life?" (For the record, I don't remember doing this.) Between that reaction and the fact that I started jumping on my bed after I finished eating, she has made the bold statement of saying that I'm the best person to serve breakfast in bed to. Maybe you should try it sometime and see if these expectations can be accomplished for you, too? I mean, I wouldn't complain...
To continue my birthday celebration, I spent the day packing, eating one of my favorite meals at Sunshine Cafe, and (of course) getting a Thai massage. (Why wouldn't I?!) We then said some sad goodbyes to the volunteers at the house and boarded a bus headed to Bangkok. Fourteen hours later (Mind you, it was a quick fourteen hours. This bus had pillows, blankets, meals, and seats that reclined all the way back!), we arrived at the bus station in the capital of Thailand before the sun had even risen. We sat in the food court, sharing our packed breakfast of sliced pineapple and peanut butter sandwiches before taking the city by storm... or something like that.
After dropping our bags off at the hostel that three other volunteers were staying at, we decided to tour Bangkok on foot. We had the amazing opportunity to see the Grand Palace which is INCREDIBLY beautiful and ornate. The size of the Palace and the attention to detail in every last building was something that was so spectacular, that I truly don't think a camera could capture it. I literally got chills at one point by the beauty of it all! (Unfortunately, I would have loved to take pictures to TRY and capture it, but my camera was dead. I'll have to steal all of Shawney's pictures. They'll be coming soon...)
After a delicious lunch, we went and collected our bags and then headed to the airport. (For some reason, I feel as though it's necessary for me to say that our bags from living in Thailand for a month and a half were too big for the taxi, so he left the trunk open and secured all of our luggage with bungee cords. Thankfully, everything is here and accounted for! I should probably also mention that he was blasting the "International Hits" station which included songs like "Lucky" by Britney Spears. It was heaven!)
Our flight to Krabi included the most "phalongs" (Although I just read something yesterday and this word was spelled "farong". I apologize, but if you think about it, it's the "same same, but different". This is in quotes because I hear locals say it fairly often and I about die laughing every time because it doesn't make sense. At all. Yet I find myself using it all the time now!) that I've seen since being in Thailand which is, of course, completely expected. After all, everybody wants to come to the touristy, world-renowned beaches that Thailand has to offer! If you haven't already, Google image the following places: Krabi, Phi Phi Islands (pronounced Pee Pee. Is it sad that I'm 25 and still giggle at that every time?), and Railay Beach. Now think about the fact that I'll be spending the next five days beach hopping and snorkeling in these places. As if celebrating my birthday for eleven hours longer (I couldn't stop until it was over in America, right?!) wasn't enough, I get to be in paradise until Wednesday.
Happy Birthday to me! (And to Kim, my soon-to-be sister-in-law whose birthday is ACTUALLY today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIM!!!)
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