Then we headed to Bangkok's Chinatown to check out the Chinese New Year celebrations. There were some kids in dragon costumes doing performances for donations on the streets. A few boys played drums and cymbals as background music while the dragons danced around, with a few kids holding up each head and tail. The heads of the dragons got to collect monetary donations from the audience. They were having so much fun! I have no idea what sort of group they were with, or what exactly the donations went towards, but it was great to watch the children enjoy dancing around, and see the joy on their faces when someone handed them a bill.

There were lots of events going on and some news crews reporting, even though the biggest celebration would be later that night, when Anne and I would be flying back to Korea. Hot and hungry, we decided to go back to our hostel for one final meal on the food street, pad thai, before packing up and setting off for the airport. It was such an excellent vacation exploring Bangkok. I stayed at the Siam Journey Guesthouse in Bangkok the entire ten nights, which I highly recommend. One of the owners, a young man around my age, was so friendly and kind - a really bright person.

The location was perfect, close to the skytrain and really easy to get to from the airport (especially with the handy video they email you, showing exactly where to go). Yet it was in a non-touristy Thai neighborhood, which I really enjoyed. I felt quite safe in the neighborhood and very comfortable inside the hostel.
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