Yes, Peace Corps Volunteers do take vacations...sometimes.

It’s time, I decided, for a vacation. A real vacation. This comes just as I approach almost 9 months in Thailand and 6 at site. Sometimes it’s hard to believe it’s been that long and sometimes it seems like I’ve been here for hardly any time at all. Two months ago I got talked into taking a 10 day R&R down South with 3 other Volunteers. I was apprehensive at the time to take a vacation.
Then, one of my friends made the point that we get vacation days for a reason and we should take them. If we work hard, then why not get away every now and then? Plus, our counterparts would do the same. So, I’ve worked really hard to get things done the last couple months. I’ve attended 2 conferences, 2 Peace Corps/Thailand Committee meetings, co-designed a Project Design Management (PDM) Training to take place in December, been in a Khmer Festival, been to the temple a record-breaking 15 times, helped write a grant proposal, and fallen victim to many a Thai-nappings (much like the nature of ‘kid-napping’ only in a docile manner and you eventually get returned home safely.) I also figure the timing is good since school is out of session for two weeks and we’re a month ahead of starting the rice harvest season. It also doesn't deter from the fact that yes, whether on vacation or not, I'm still a Peace Corps Volunteer.

So, where am I headed? The beaches of the South. Where else?! The South of Thailand is vastly different from the flat rice fields and unforgiving sun of Issan. Southern Thailand has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, lavish resorts, high cliffs, beautiful coastline, and...lots of seafood. There are also some religiously related conflict zones in the Southern-most provinces that we’ll stay clear of. In any event, it’s a world away from eating anything that moves and weathering frequent power outages. We’re taking the Peace Corps-salary trip, which, is one for the frugal traveler. No shame is staying in hostels! We’ll backpack through a couple islands and some coastline; then, catch the tail end of the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket—a 10-day Chinese festival dating back about 150 years in Thailand. See also: Vegetarian Festival

I’ll be back with the renewed spirit to tackle our upcoming training and whatever else comes. A 10km run in November? Perhaps...

Southern Thailand...