Chiang Mai Marathon: Race Day

It took me forever and an hour (= 5 hours and 33 minutes) but I finished the full marathon! (With a bit of walking for some stretches after the halfway point.) I got both thirsty and hungry but there were drink stands along the way. I managed to control my bladder and bowel movements. But I hurt. A lot. I'm never doing that again. I'm looking forward to a two-hour Thai massage.

Made it!

Chiang Mai Marathon: Pre-Run

Well, the world didn't end and I lied about my last blog post being my last blog post of the year.

My world might end tomorrow if I die running the Chiang Mai marathon. My first and, I decided during my training, my last marathon. 42km starting at 4am. I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

Things I'm worried about:

5. I'll get thirsty.
4. I'll get hungry.
3. I'll need to pee.
2. I'll need to poop.
1. I might not finish. That would just suck.

In case the world ends tomorrow...

This is my last blog post of the year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Nepal

 Durbar Square, Kathmandu

!!

Annapurna Circuit Trek

Thorung-La Pass 

 Bodnath

Prayer wheels - walk clockwise as you spin the wheels

Candles?

Halloween in Thailand

Celebrating with students...

And teachers

Happy Birthday, King

The King

Candles

Singing the King's song

Traditionally, lanterns are lit and float off into the sky. Someone told me the significance: you send off bad things with the lantern. Last year, we made wishes and wrote good things on the paper lantern... and sent them off. Oops.

Miscellaneous

Thailand's "Pepsi"

Some raw shrimp we ate in Chiang Mai - they were literally jumping out of the bowl!

It was spicy and a little crunchy and quite delicious.

 Kangnam style in Bangkok

...

Please don't tell me they do this in the U.S. too.