It's called courage.

Yesterday we had our last class session. It really was just tying up business, nothing class like. I still am in a bit of disbelief about how this whole program turned out, especially after Peru last summer and hours of homework last night. I'm not complaining though. I don't feel like I've learned much here, and yet I'm getting 6 credit hours. Hopefully when I get home I will realize the impact this month has had.

So after "class" I came back here just to hang out. Some people had said they were going over to the big bargain/knock-off mall. I can always put in some more shopping, so I decided to take a nap until they called. Well, I never got a call, just the intrusion from the maids here. It was good to just take an afternoon to rest, I was back in Bangkok 24 hours and I was already exhuasted. There's just something about this city that wears me out.

Jenn and I had decided we both wanted to check out Khao San Road, which is backpacker's alley. Wow, I figured out where all the Westeners in this city are hiding. My defnesive coat definetly came out, establighing that I was not like these tourists, but know my way here. I think my face may have betrayed taht though, I was sort of walking around with my mouth half open. There were so many people, stores, bars, vendors, it was insane. Awesome to check out though. Jenn and I had come with a mission plan, falafel and tattoos. The tattoo thing started in Hua Hin where we saw an ad for a place, which then turned out to be sketch-y. The place we went was still a bit sketch, but it was clean. I feel like everything in this country is a bit sketchy and just slapped together, so it was fitting. So after finding the falafel, which wasn't too impressive but still tasted great after all this rice and noodle eating, we hunted down the place we read about. Took us a while, but we found it. I never have gotten too good at the map skills. Anyways, I knew what I wanted, and Jenn was looking to be inspired. I think I overwhelmed the guy because he obviously did not like writing out English characters. He told me which script he liked best, and nope, of course I like another one. So I think based on that and the fact he was a bit uncomfortable, I might have paid a bit more than I should have. He did a great job though, and I love it. It may have taken me 2 years and several walking outs of tattoo parlors, but I now have my tattoo. yay.

After all of that, we decided we deseved ice cream But of course, Khao San road is the one street in this city that does not have a Swensens. We gave up eventually and just came back here. Some of the other girls were going to Rain Tree, this bar that plays local music down the road. I went for a little while. A Thai man defiently tried to pay Jenn to take her home last night. Note, even if you are an anthroplogist and need to document, some times it is best to avoid taking pictures of people. After several attempts and awkward moments latter, the guy left the table. I think he may have finally understood the "no". I was done at that point. But of course somehow my glass was magically getting refilled. I can say, they don't lack on service in Rain Tree. I eventually got out of there, and we stopped at 7-11 to finally get that ice cream.

Not sure what today holds. It's my last week here and there's so much I want to see, but I dont know. A lot of it is night activities, so it is hard to fit it all in. I think tonight we might finally be going on the river cruise. I'm excited about that. Maybe I'll go see my last few temples today, I haven't been to a temple in awhile so I think I can handle it. I also might be returning to Khao San, I think some of the other girls got inspired to get tattoos. We'll see.