My Troubles Pay Off

My story regarding visa troubles in Japan has been published on the website The Traveler's Notebook:

How to Handle Getting a Visa When You're Already Living Abroad

Back to Texas

Greetings,

Again, I have to apologize for my lack of updates. I have enjoyed my time in Thailand, and will soon be flying back to Texas for an extended visit.

What have I been doing?

Volunteering in underfunded government schools with the Thai Mueang Volunteers; read about my first two weeks in Thailand here.

What am I doing now?

Exploring the rest of the country until my flight departs on August 4th. I've been looking around Phang Nga Bay, Phuket province, Suratthani, and Nakhon Si Tamarat. Soon I will be headed to the islands for the Half Moon Festival. Couchsurfing is a lifesaver.

What will I be doing?

Staying in Dallas and Austin to catch up with some friends and some good old-fashioned American culture while I await the results of the National Geographic Glimpse Correspondents Program and the return of my Japanese pension. If all goes according to plan, I should depart for New Zealand mid-October.

Bangkok in the Balance

Although it is more closely affiliated with Thai history, Bangkok in the Balance gives a good perspective of Thailand in the 1980's and early 90's from the perspective of a Japanese, Tatsuya Hata.

We Got a Walker

Another individual is joining the ranks of Alan Booth and Tyler MacNiven. Craig Stanton will be walking the length of Japan in 2008; read about his journey on One Man Walking.