The time has finally come for me to depart my beloved India... These last couple months cannot be summed up into words but rather hold an endless string of moments and feelings and growth and love. We were told an old story the first time I came to India about a man who repeatedly fell over a waterfall and into a raging river in attempt to find his perfect current, one that would help him to "fall with the fall, and flow with the flow" without being harmed or caught up in the eddies of life. I can appreciate this tale in relation to my experience in India... I had to gradually learn how to let go of the need to resist the flow or plan a perfect path, and to find my own current in the tumultuous reality that is India. She threw a lot of challenges my way, but with each one I grew and I learned and I let go a little more. Until all there was left was me, the true me, living each day with peace and confidence and bliss.

This morning leaving Delhi I shared a taxi to the airport with a rad chick from New York who had just arrived in India a few days prior and was planning on spending a few months backpacking around. She had never been to India before and sounded slightly distressed by her experience so far (reasonably so... the main bazaar in New Delhi is no easy place to adjust to). We had an awesome conversation about misconceptions and travel and India in general. As we talked I felt as if I was talking to a slightly younger version of myself, giving out words of advice and inspiration and reassurance. It was beautiful to observe all the optimism coming out of my mouth about my experience, and it made me long to be in her shoes, to start the adventure all over again. By the time we parted at the airport, there was so much more I wanted to say but I realized she would be able to figure it all out in her own ways just as I had. 

As hard as it was to say goodbye to India, I really cannot complain because I finally am traveling THAILAND, something I've been wanting to do for years and years! 

Flying into Bangkok felt surreal, I had to keep telling myself that I was about to be in Thailand! And before I knew it, I had arrived! My first impression was that it was so very warm, and I loved it, especially compared to chilly northern India. I noticed the beautiful colors and smells and people everywhere... Having come straight from India my brain went right into compare/contrast mode between the two countries. I was amazed at how the vehicles actually stayed in their lines of traffic on the streets! And it was very painless to take two different metros and walk to my hotel because of the straightforward ticketing and signage, whereas in India this would've been a nightmare. It's also so much cleaner here and no stray animals wandering the streets. Plus there are significantly more white people around so I feel less stared at and definitely hassled less. 

I checked into the hotel that my parents pre-booked, and I felt so grungy even in the lobby haha I was looking forward to having a shower here for two months now, and oh my god I've never appreciated a shower more in my entire life. I made it into an event... I even had my first Chang beer which I causally sipped throughout the half an hour endeavor.. Not sorry. I also enjoyed my first authentic Thai iced tea today, and the long-awated, absolutely mouth-wateringly delicious thai food!

Seafood Pad See Ew!

All day I have just been grinning from ear to ear. This transition has come at a good time for me to relax for a little with the folks, who should be arriving to the hotel at any minute! SO EXCITED! Tomorrow we take an overnight train south then ferry to Koh Samui where we will be spending a week in heaven! :D x 10000!