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Published: April 16th 2009
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first glimpse of the city They weren't kidding when they said April was the hottest month to come to Asia...not like I have anything to reference it to, but I swear to you it is remarkable how much moisture the human body can expel in a day. As I am writing this, little trickles are running down the back of my arms and pooling behind my knees. Its like my body has unlimited quantities of sweat, I cant imagine how there is any moisture left in my body at all! My poor cells must look like raisins by now! To compensate I'm drinking an insane amount of water. Hmm maybe thats the culprit.
And the worst part is that it seems like no other white person in Bangkok (or BBK, as I like to call it) can even begin to rival my sweating capacities. I think I deserve a medal.
Other than that, I'm having a great time. This city is insane to the outsider but once you spend a few days and get over the culture shock, it actually is quite orderly. The subway runs in a rectangle throughout the center of the city, the tourists hang out in Khan San Road almost
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MBK mall, the largest mall in BBK and filled to the brim with STUFF exclusively, the mantra of the city is "buy and sell" and everyone in the transportation industry, be it tuk tuk drivers or cabbies even ferries, will try their very hardest to rip you off. Its verry well organized.
The hostel I am staying at is amazing. Everything is taken care of, everything is spotless, the owner is a wealth of useful knowledge and owns two amazing dogs, and its right in the heart of bangkok, right in a little lane where tons of thai families and crazy local businesses live. AND its pretty affordable. The only thing I wish was different was that it were busier. Theres not a lot of socializing here, as compared to places off Khao San. I have met a few people so far, and there were a couple of girls I have hung out with a bit, the only problem being I dont really like the one who wants to hang out the most. She's a complainer and we all know, I hate complainers.
So far I havent been up to too much, I'm taking it slow and easing myself into the swing of things. I went to the night market which was
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I just love this poster, I dont know anything about it brilliant and amazing but I didnt buy ANYTHING!! Restraint!! It was so beautiful and interesting, but I forgot to bring my camera. I'm planning to go back don't worry. Today I went to Chinatown (also fascinating, and also all about selling the most random shit you have ever seen in your life, anything and everything is for sale) and Khao San Rd. Banglamphu was wonderful and adorable but Khao San itself was kind of dissapointing. Once of my favorite places to go is the 7/11..they keep the air con cranked!! I also went into a Wat, Wat Chanasonkram. I was very nervous, I was the only white person in there and I didnt know what to do. So I just kneeled near the wall. There was some sort of chanting ceremony going on and it was beautiful. Goosebumps! I need to learn more specifics about this wonderful religion, i just may become that buddist monk I used to talk about!! I gave alms to the monk and then kneeled at his feet and he shook water over me and did a little chant. Took me like 10 minutes to get up the nerve to actually go over to him. Not
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spirit house gonna lie, the whole experience made me tear up a little bit. Bizarre!!! Not normally a religious person. Then later today I saw a monk wandering by the subway station, smoking a cigarette....and the feeling was lost.
Songkran has been fun. They honestly do just drive around the city packed into tuk-tuks and trucks spalshing the CRAP out of each other. And they don't spare the tourists - I'm sure they love getting the tourists the most! Every street corner has a pack of little kids with a hose and spray guns and buckets of water...as you approach they start grinning slyly in your direction..you know its coming. You can't stop it. I have been fully soaked from head to toe every day since I got here. The best was the old man near my hostel who just stood there with a hose and proceeded to soak my entire shirt, aiming mostly in the chest area. Yeah, he was a fun guy. I let it slide because I'm in Thailand.
My tour starts on Monday, we meet that night in a hotel and then leave for Cambodia the next morning. I probably wont be writing again before the
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the man, the legend, the KING tour, so next time you hear from me I'll be in Cambodia! Wow too much excitement for little ol me. If the internet sucks, i might not be able to write until Vietnam. I will be safe, I've got the malaria pills and am ready to go!! Love you all and hope you are not too lonely without me!!
xoxox
Jamie
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Audrey
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Awesome!!!
You are awesome at this...I look forward to reading more....you make it seem like we're there with you, of course, we are...in spirit....xoxo