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Published: January 25th 2007
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Bangkok Traffic
Just Off Khao San Rd. Maybe the Only slight nervousness ive felt so far was in Dubai airport waiting to fly to Bangkok.Ive never been to asia.And id heard that Bangkok is like nowhere else on earth,total madness.Ive also heard its a shithole and your better off just getting out.How was I gonna cope with it all??.
First Thing That hit me was the heat.8 Months working in a Fridge (kinda) then an english winter and Landing it Bangkok hits you like a brick in the face.32 degrees at 7pm plus the humidity.Id been advised to just Jump in a taxi and head for Khao San Rd,the infamous backpacker strip so thats what I did.Like a little boy in the back of the taxi eyes wide open at this new place I got there about 30 mis later. And what a place. Agian Id heard bad things about it but I love it. Just shop after shop,stall after stall,people trying to sell stuff,con you,blag you,dirt cheap food stalls everywhere,blind people doing kareoke,amazing thai girls,ladyboys..... CRAZY.The first night I just did a few laps and of surrounding streets which are a little mellower but nothing could prepare me for the next day.I deciede to go see a
The Tuk Tuk Man
The start of a CRAZY day few temples ,as is the norm in Bangkok. Theres a sleeping Buddha,reclining Buddha, happy buddha,Standing Buddha,LOADS of fat buddhas which they fail to mention. SO after a look round the museum (BORING) I got collared by a women who was pretty sound and she showed me where to go etc and hooked me up with a driver.I was so hot i couldnt be arsed arguing so just jumped in.For 50 baht (bout 70p) for a few hours why not.The driver was sound but limited english,kinda like me,he showed me the sights etc and I started to ask him about Buddha and Id like to learn more about buddism in thailand when he goes
"You come my house I give you amulet,me to you,You like whiskey?? We drink some whiskey"
Now for some reason I didnt even think twice I just said Ok and we got off.The price though was suddenly increasing..hmmmmmm...whiskey ,food etc
"you Like fish??" we stopped off for anouther 15 mins to stock up.we drove for about 40 mins,futher and futher away from ANY tourist,people staring at me etc.Now Id read in books that these guys are dodgy,some are mafia,and started thinkin "what am I doing here!!??" but
The Tuk Tuk Mans House
In the background you can see the tons of rubbish.....but so what...QUALITY people at the same time those thoughts were crossed with "you know what I said I wanted to just end up in some mad situation straight away and this is it" so i went with the flow but was kinda scared the more we seemed to be getting into the slums.Then more into the slums until a few turns we were at his house.Family outside preparing tea.They all smiled "Hello Farang!" his friend shouted (this means tourist in thai) It was clear quite clear again I was in an non english speaking enviroment again but a completely different situation!! there was shanty huts for houses,TONS of rubbish infront of the house with a path made through,Kids rummaging through it,mangy dogs with eyes falling out everywhere.This Is a LONG way for Parkfresh!! And i was a little uneasy.....
So I sat ther and just took it all in,how many people does this happen too?? maybe its something they do alot but iI doubt it. I sat sipping whiskey and tying to communicate to these people somehow. I never felt in danger just a bit wierded out maybe. But after a few whiskeys that was all gone.The houses were in ruins 2 rooms,a
squat toilet and a bed,we look like millionaires compared to this. We ate the biggest fish ive ever seen with some spicy salads and some more beer, because I was the guest they all sat and watched me eat first.Kinda strange.then we somehow chatted all night.More of his friends coming round to meet me as the night went on.They wanted to know about the women in england and how much they cost!!haha but they were GREAT people Then the driver got on his phone to get a guy round who does traditional tattoos as id told him i wanted one in bangkok but I didnt think the ink would be strong enough to cover mine so he did a free hand dragon on another guy there.Great to watch and I said id go back and get one done on my leg off him.So eventually it was time to go.A crazy crazy night as kiss would say.His friend walked me back to the road to get a cab and as i was thinking how stupid I was for thinking I was getting conned by these lovely people the guy asked me for 10 baht for showing me the way to the taxi hahah Only in asia......
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Dad
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Taxi
And i bet you didn't give the tuk tuk man a tip