Part of our transition to Africa was a jarring three days spent in and around Khao San Road in Bangkok. This is an area for backpackers with music blaring until 5:00am, crowds of tourists, street vendors selling everything and anything and cheap accommodation and food seven days a week. We did none of the usual tourist activities because we have been to Bangkok twice before and lacked the motivation to see more temples, the palace, take a boat ride, etc.

So, Jim took photos. I chose to spend two afternoons in two different meditation retreat centers and wished I had spent the three full days there. There was a huge Buddhist monk conference in the nearby park which offered an endless array of interesting sights.

I wasn't even motivated to shop which is usually a highlight of Bangkok for me. The best part of this little sojourn was the street food. Cheap and delicious. Incredible Pad Thai.

We are heading into the fourth and last leg of our journey. Africa is somewhere we have wanted to go to for a very long time and want to make sure we have the energy to give to it. We have arranged to do 2 weeks of volunteer work in Arusha, Tanzania and will chill out in Zanzibar for 4 days before our March 1 commitment. Tanzania, here we come!