Taipei

So it begins again! I took off yesterday towards Bangkok, but a very delayed departure from San Francisco meant that I missed my connection in Taiwan. There were probably about twenty of us that missed the flight and are now haunting the Taipei airport. Luckily, we a) got a free meal ticket while we wait and b) won't get in too late when we finally make it to Thailand and c) managed to get some decent sleep on the 14 hour way over. Minimal crying babies and lots of empty middle seats. Filled the time with trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in and somewhat accidentally watching solo traveler themed movies like Lost in Translation and Eat, Pray, Love. Preach it, Julia.

Current plan is to spend two or three days in Bangkok and then head north to Chiang Mai. I have a week to get into trouble and then get bused out to an elephant & dog rescue outside of town where I'll be volunteering for another week. Hoping to catch a sleeper train going south after that and make it to Tonsai Bay for the holidays. Need to make it back to Bangkok to fly to New Zealand by New Years. Feels like it's going to go quickly...

Have a 40L backpack with a change of clothes, climbing shoes & harness, bathing suit and that's pretty much it. My folks have been kind enough to mail my backpacking gear to Auckland and I have my fingers crossed that it will beat me there.

I forget what a bundle of nerves I can be before leaving. The moment after walking through security leads to this huge sense of relief and acceptance of whatever comes. Especially after fleeing flash floods and California traffic (that's right Folsom, your stupid flash floods ain't got nothing on me).

Time to go find some floor space to pass out on. Thankful it's a clean airport.