Will leave at the crack of dawn

I am extremely grateful to be sitting in this internet cafe typing. For the past 24 hours, I had the worst tummy flu/bug horror ever. It started 2 nights ago. I woke up in the middle of the night and heaved out whatever was left from dinner. Strange...but maybe it was the food, I thought. But then I continued to have to heave like every 20 minutes even when there wasn't an ounce of anything in me. By morning, the stubborn part of me made me believe the worst was over, so I insisted on going on the planned snorkeling tour. A 3 hour bumpy ride to the most beautiful islands I've ever seen. I'll spare you the details, but basically I spent a lot of time trying to meditate my situation away, or hiding behind Dav's back as me and a plastic bag had a little rendez-vous.

I snorkeled though! Had schools of fishies with rainbow colors swarm around me. It was fabulously worth it!

Once the hellish boat ride home was over, I lay in bed only to feel the full extent of what was going on in my body. Aches and feverish chills. I had visions of welcoming the New Year being hooked to an IV. Dav was an angel, puttering around me and granting any wish I had to ease my pain. Friends brought by various pills and EmergenC packets. And tadaaaaaaa! I'm better! I woke up and couldn't wait to get up and eat. Although I'm embarrassed to say this in Thailand, where the food has been amazing, I went for the biggest Western breakfast I could find. Croissant, eggs, bacon, fruit...I was so freaking hungry and very happy to be able to eat.

Anyhow, just had to share that experience. We've cancelled the kayaking and will stay chill today. Maybe a massage. Dav and I leave here at 6am tomorrow morning for Bangkok, then up to Chang Mai, then Pai. Volunteering is still complicated and we're finding that the best way to help here is donate money.

Many people are coming here from the other 'hit' areas and getting a flight out is difficult. 2 of our friends can't get a flight until the 4th, and there are essentially no rooms either. So again, I feel nothing short of extremely lucky.

And finally, I want to thank all the friends and Kokochi fans who have emailed me. Your words have meant a lot. If I don't log in before, Happy New Year to you all. With love, Mie