You've Probably Seen All This Before...

After 4 days in Siem Reap, I decided it best to go to Thailand. I had heard many good things! It didn't fail to live up to expectations. I had just 24 hours in town, and I decided to spend them at the major tourist attractions. I arrived to Bangkok at 12am after a 20 hour day, so needless to say I was exhausted and needed rest. The Royal Hotel was a bargain, but I shouldn't have been so relaxed about using the hotel water that night. It would come back to haunt me later!

The Royal Grounds were amazing, it was good to see the Thai art in all its richness. Lots of tourists were there-myself included! I spent a few hours on the grounds, especially enjoying the mural coated halls showing Thai epics, legends and history. The Emerald Budda was very interesting.... Walking into his temple you can feel his presence! There was a lot of worship going on in there, and the Thai's even give him 3 different outfits for the 3 seasons. I saw the temple nearby with the reclining buddha where my batteries ran out. With all the pictures in this world of that place, I figured it wasnt a loss! After getting my backpack I took a taxi to the Siam Square skytrain, and took the skytrain to the Ekamai Bus Station. I waited one hour for the bus to Pattaya, and during that time I had my first bout with Lampang Man's revenge.

As I sweat through my shirt for the 12th time, I wondered why they were selling toilet paper at the snack shop. Curious! Bus after bus arrived and left for Pattaya, each time getting closer to my departure. "Gurgle", my stomach said as I watched the locals in all their glory. Again, my stomach spoke up- "Gurgle..gurgle". Why's it doing that? I ate breakfast and feel fine, how strange! Suddenly I realize Im about to experience what municipal water with foreign microorganisms from far away lands does to the gastro-intestinal tract.

After paying 30 baht for the bathroom I rushed into the stall and locked the door. "GURGLE, Gurgle, gurgle..." I look around and wonder to myself "where's the toilet paper?". Realizing I was fast approaching a very sticky situation, I grabbed a pair of boxers, wiped off the toilet and let mother nature take its course. Humus, no not Humus. Split Pea Soup, yes thats what it reminded me of! Mocha braided streams flowing freely and at will. I was at the mercy of the Gods, here in this filthy bathroom stall in a crowded Bangkok Bus Station.

Should I get on my bus? Do I press my luck with a 2 hour bus ride? What if the chocolate rivers decide to flow again? I decided to board. As I left the bathroom my bus was boarding. I got my seat next to this funny Thai girl. I quickly started memorizing how to say "stop the bus" and "I have diarrea". Luckily my only problem during the bus ride was not being able to remember one word of the Thai.

I made friends with the Thai girl who shared her mp3 player and let me listen to cheesy Thai music and Farang Favorites. We all know that song "Girl, You got me suuicidal, suicidal..." I heard it in Cambodia and Thailand, and my friends in Chile loved it too. Its a worldwide hit right? After the long road to Pattaya, I got a taxi to the Rabbit Resort. I was super nice with a corresponding price tag and I saw my first Asian Ocean in the starlight! I needed to get to bed though, the next day I was to rise at 7am and make my way to Mermaid Dive for a SCUBA trip!

--Stephen
http://www.sphaydenphotography.com

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