Birthday!

October 18th was my birthday. What a way to spend my 22^nd right? Overseas and in beautiful Thailand!

We left that day for Kanchanaburi, which is West of Bangkok. The town is famous for the Bridge Over the River Kwae or the “Death Railway”, the floating restaurants, karaoke bars, and amazing jungles, and other outdoor activities (definitely returning to see the Erawan National Park which contains the seven step waterfalls).  

We, as a group, visited the bridge, which was built during the time the Japanese occupied Thailand in WWII. The 300m bridge was created to link Burma and Thailand together, and to create a supply line for Japanese troops.  More than 100,000 laborers died during its construction. 

We stayed at this amazing resort called the Pavilion Hotel. The property was enormous and the architectural layout was stunning. I loved how open the property was, how lush and green the gardens were, the fabulous pools that I didn’t get to try, and the experience I had.

Thank you OEG/CIEE for finally getting all the participants in one location even though we were “together” in Bangkok. I don’t think I could have gotten a nicer party/hangout, being at a resort in the jungle dancing and drinking with everyone at the pub/karaoke bar. Although we were together in Bangkok, we were still separated through orientation schedules – group A and B. It made me see faces I didn’t realize were a part of the program even after a week “together.” It was such a great bonding experience even if we were getting separated the next day for our schools.

Thank you to the girls who made it that much more special. I couldn’t have been happier than to spend it with ya’ll (you know who you are even if you aren't in the picture below). I am just so grateful to have made such great friends in the short amount of time we had.

                                                    (Chelsea, Chelsea, Jess, Liz, Jenna)