Just Checking In...

Hey everyone, so I just thought I'd update you all on my preparations for the trip. I've spent the last couple of weeks trying to figure out the visa information. It's difficult because I'm never really sure I'm getting the right information. The websites all seem a little sketchy. I think I've got it worked out though. I will get a 30 day tourist visa when I enter the country. I will have to exit and re-enter the country before it expires, and then do the same thing in another 30 days. Kind of a pain, but luckily the city I'll be living in is right on the border. It's just a hop, skip and a jump into Burma and back again.


It still makes me a little nervous because I'm not 100% positive that I'm doing everything right. It also doesn't help that there's been so much political unrest in Bangkok lately. A couple of weeks ago my friend Jordan told me he hopes the government doesn't collapse while I'm there. EEK! Thanks for the comfort pal ;) Anyway, from everything I've read, it seems like it hasn't been a big problem for tourists. I'm not too worried about it. I just have to make sure I register with the US Embassy when I get there.

I also thought I'd excite you all with some pictures of where I'll be staying. Unfortunately, it's been hard to find pics that I could copy and paste. So you won't get to see where I'm going to live, but, courtesy of my fb pals who've already been there, you'll get to some some places that I will be working.

This is a nearby waterfall. Pretty much Thailand is the most beautiful place on earth.

And this these two are pics of a village where I'll be teaching.

IVHQ Verification Letter

I have attached a verification letter from the group I booked by service trip through. Hopefully the image works... IVHQ is a company based in New Zealand that sets people up with non-profits in the countries they want to volunteer. They hooked me up with the Mirror Foundation, the group I will be volunteering with in Thailand.

Thailand!

I'm getting SUPER excited for my upcoming trip to Thailand. I just mailed out donation request letters, so hopefully that generates so much needed funds for the trip.

I've also been talking to some people on facebook who will be there the same time as me. We're starting to plan some weekend trips while we're there. I'm looking forward to exploring the country.