Exit Strategy

Friday morning, the 8th, I got on a bus headed for Bangkok. The night before left me feeling uncertain about my future in Thailand. During the seven hour bus ride I planned my exit strategy.

I thought about Thanksgiving and Christmas stateside. I imagined getting a puppy to go with the crappy apartment I would rent in Minneapolis. I fantasized about pizza and obviously, tacos.

The time was right to cute my losses. The people in my community, for many reasons (mostly political), were unable to rally around me and it felt like nothing was nothing keeping me in Thailand. I went to bed knowing I was on my way out.

When I woke up alone in a hostel on Saturday morning something had changed. I would not be packing my bags after all. Something, and I'm still not totally sure what it was, was compelling me to stay in country. Something lead me to believe my Peace Corps narrative isn't over yet.

I have put away my exist strategy. For the first time in my service I'm not just staying because I'm afraid to quit.  I'm here because something in Thailand is pulling at me. When I figure out what that is I will let you know.

When God Tells You to Go Home

The Events:

Sept. 1st-  Eaten alive by leeches in Nakhon Ratchasima. Wow, disgusting. But not time to go home.

Sept. 7th- Sexually Assaulted. Okay, that's it. Go home!

Sept. 8th- The assault problem is not going away. Get on a bus to Bangkok and go the f*** home.

Sept. 10th- Told my new home would be in leech province, Nakhon Ratchasima. Glorious irony. Go home.

Sept. 15th- Stung by a scorpion. Temporary nerve damage. Just go home already!

But I'm still here and I'm pretty sure there is the a snake bite in my future.