Back in Bangkok yet again after a wonderfully relaxing 6 days in Koh Chang. I feel lucky to have spent the time there that I did as the impending closing of the beach's best bungalow, the opening of a nearby airport and the ever-increasing numbers and quality of accomodation and garishness of nightlife spots is an indication that the place will be a different (and worse) place in a matter of months.

Upon arriving back in Bangkok, mattmatt immediately caught an overnight train to Chiang Mai. After 15 days of traveling together, saying goodbye to him was a bit difficult. He's a remarkable person and has become a good friend whom I hope to reconnect with whenever I return home. Jill leaves day after tomorrow and then Chris and I will be immersed in pre-India preparation. (You should see my shopping list: anti-malarials, anti-diarrheals, water filter, sleep sack to avoid bedbugs... wait, someone please remind me why I chose India as a destination?)

It's Saturday night and I got myself psyched for a night out in high season but found myself roaming Khao San Road feeling a bit disillusioned by the experience. I went to Gulliver's Traveller's Bar, the hot spot on the road where the young'ens gather to drink and watch sports, and ordered a drink at the bar. I surveyed the room and found the demographic to be primarily under-25 frat types and young Thai girls trying to lure them and their wallets into bed. I seem to be finding more joy in reading emails from friends and family these days than in hanging out in bars trying to meet new people. Is that pathetic?

I've been thinking a lot lately about my plans and find myself overwhelmed by the possibilities. After India and Nepal, the logical move would be to return to Bangkok enroute to Vietnam, Cambodia, Southern Laos and Burma. There are some catches though. First, starting in April, it's hotter than Hades anywhere in Southeast Asia and I have a hunch I will want to be elsewhere. Second, around the time I am ready to leave Nepal, I anticipate being close enough to running out of money that I will need to consider options for making some, either to be able to continue traveling or to be able to come home and support myself while I find work. One option for making money is to teach English somewhere that pays well (Korea, China or back to Plan A, Japan) for a few months and then resume traveling. However, I'd really like to come home for Burning Man at the end of August, and on October 1, my dear friend Jen is getting married in Colorado and she's asked me to be the maid of honor. So, I could teach from April - August, come home for 6 weeks and then come back to continue traveling? I don't need to decide anything now but it certainly occupies my mind a bit.

It's almost 11 and I am off to make a last-ditch effort to find some good music to dance to. Sawatdee ka!