Down the ol' Khao San Road...

So, here we are back in Bangkok. We are staying near the infamous Khao San Road where nobody sleeps and the busy bustling goes on long into the night. I recently picked up the book "The Beach" by Alex Garland (you know, the one they made into a movie starring Leonardo Di Caprio). Anyway, Ican't believe I've never read it before and I'm sure as hell glad that I never saw the movie because it makes the reading so much more enjoyable. My point is, it is really really really good so far. I love the book and it is so relateable right now. So, for all of you out there...I highly recommend reading this book especially if you happen to be travelling through wonderful Thailand!
Today we have a busy agenda of going to the immigration office located in south Bangkok. Our visas expire today and we need to extend thembefore leaving the country in 2 days to go to Nepal. By the way.....I am ESTATICALLY EXCITED to be going to Nepal!!! It is a country that has never been colonized so the culture remains true in itself. "Namaste" is the greeting and the closing....it means more than your average hello... it's a blessing to your existence, literally. I think that is so wonderful and I am meeting more and more travellers that have expressed very things to say about Nepali culture and people. I just can't wait to get there! Jaime, Gen, and I are all volunteering for the next month with an association. We are splitting up to work in different areas of our choice and in turn we will be spliting up to leave to different locale regions in Nepal. Jaime is working with disabled children, Gen is working with an orphanage, and I am going to teach young monks in a monastery. We will be living with host families in villages and trek to our work sites daily. It will be quite an experience as there will be no electricity, beds, and meals are always eaten and cooked with the Nepali host family. In a sense though, this will feel just like living on the Trafcura farm in Chile. So, I feel prepared and comfortable with it. Anyway friends,I need to look for a place to stay tonight. I hope all is well with everyone!
Much love!
Melinda
xo