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Other entries in Bangkok

Where did Friday go?

I made it to Asia! 26 hours. Was a bit nauseating at times, but overall the journey to Bangkok was smooth. Left for the Seattle airport at 10:00 pm Thursday night and 13 hours laters I landed in Taipei, Taiwan. 13 hours to cross the Pacific! 9,750 miles. Fortunately it was over night so was able to sleep for much of it. They fed us twice it was so long.

Because Taipei is 16 hours ahead of Seattle, it was 6:30 AM on Saturday when we landed. Where did Friday go?

mMy encounter with China was brief and unremarkable (see previous journal entry). Confined to one terminal at the taipei airport for the three hour layover. Had some coffee and noodles with a variety of mushrooms for breakfast and then back on the plane again for another 3 and a half hours.

From the airport in Bangok I took Chris' advice* and took a taxi to the Ban Sabai hostel in the Khao San backpacker's ghetto. My driver didn't know exactly where it was but eventually he found it by asking through his window when we were close and dropped me off right at the door.

My room is spartan. There were no more rooms available with a/c as I was hoping but I have a ceiling fan. The room itself is just wide enough to fit two twin beds side by side with no space in between. Because i'm alone I pay for the whole room, which is 280 Baht (about $7). Sheets, towels, and toilet paper not provided. But i brought my own.

The weather is steamy. Especially compared to seattle. But not near as unbearable as Senegal. It's 88 with a fair amount of humidity. Although I am in the heart of the city it is lush and this street is relatively peaceful despite many people, many of them white foreigners, or 'farangs' in Thai, like me.

I'll probably spend a day or two here to adjust to the time change and recover from the long journey before continuing on south to Khuraburi to join NATR (North Andaman Tsunami Relief). Many fascinating things to see here in the capital. I'm especially interested in seeing some of the Buddhist temples. Some of the most beautiful in the world are here.

*Chris as in Chris Mckay, the woman who gave me this opportunity. Thanks Chris! Chris is the co-founder of Crooked Trails, a non-profit, community-based travel organization helping people broaden their understanding of the planet and its diverse cultures through education, community development and responsible travel.

www.crookedtrails.com for more.

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