The farewell gathering has been had and cleaned up after, now we get down to the last minute activities. Luke and I sat down today and finished our packing lists, I’ve started piling things in a messy stack in my bedroom and agonising over which clothes I want to take and get copied in Vietnam. After tailoring adventures they will then all be posted home to leave to leave room for buying cooler weather clothes in Germany.. or Bangkok. Do they sell winter clothes in Bangkok?

Today my Canadian friend Jeremy is cooking an extravagant turkey dinner in the style of a Thanksgiving feast to farewell Luke and I. This morning there was a picture on facebook of FIVE pumpkin pies! I hadn’t thought farewells were necessary for a 9 month trip, but when they come with pie they certainly seem like a good idea. This weekend has been the first time I’ve said to people ‘See you next year!’ when hugging them goodbye. Makes it all seem more real!

Photos of pies and a turkey the size of Uluru to come:).