Shit I Learned

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Believe it or not, this has been sitting in my "Drafts" section of my email account for almost 2 years now. A lot has changed. Myanmar is no longer a secret but to those of you who will visit there soon, just remember 1 thing: I was there first! :P



In spite of the fact that I've earned a college degree and own more books than I should, I really learn more on the road than anywhere else. In fact, I would choose my passport over my university degree if I had to show one piece of evidence in support of lessons learned. Here is just a few things I've figured out along the way this trip.

*Restaurants in Bangkok are like porn shops in the internet age. Unnecessary. The street food in Bangkok is ridiculously cheap, available and soooooo delicious.

*7-11s in Thailand are everywhere and wicked escapes from the heat thanks to A/C

*7-11 is also home to the most disgusting food item I've seen on this trip (and I've seen people guzzling grubs): The bacon wrapped hot dog.

*Having a pedicure on a public street by a school of fish gnawing at your flesh seemed like a fun idea. Instead I just giggled uncontrollably as the fish tickled my feet leaving them relatively... unpedicured. I suppose that's what you get for $2

*Ping Pong shows in Thailand have NOTHING to do with table tennis

*Myanmar people are incapable of lying

*Monks are actually pretty funny and they can often be seen smoking cigerattes, chewing beetle nut or rocking out to iPods.

*Bagan is the best kept secret when it comes to travel destinaions.

*There must be different versions of Lonely Planets sent to different countries. That is my explanation as to why there are areas consisting of homogeneous tourists (French in Kep, Brits in Veng Vieng)

*Thai karaeoke is funny on bus rides for 30 minutes. 8 hours of it is pure torture. Especially at 2am

*The best meals are found at restaurants without any english writing and usually right off the main street. Half price too! *For an unpredictable night, have dinner on your own at a local's restaurant in Cambodia. You'll soon be drinking with 10 new friends communicating in broken english and wanting to take you out for a night on the town.

*monkeys are assholes regardless of their nationality (gorillas not included) *"Rainy season" is not just an ironic nickname.

*Cotton boxers were a bad choice in a humid climate

*"Beware of overly friendly locals at hostels, bus stations or bars who are likely seeking a tourist to scam" apparently refers to me.... although I'm not a local... or a scammer... I just wanted to split a cab!

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Comments

[Leslie]

Ha! This is a great (and very accurate in my opinion) summary! And you are right, monkeys are assholes regardless of their nationality!