Hello Thailand (No I would not like to buy a suit)

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I arrived in Bangkok around midnight tired, clueless and really freakin hot. Luckily I found a bus from the airport to a good part of the city without getting ripped off. I have heard many stories about people being ripped off in Bangkok and I wasn't going to be one of them. Instead I waited until I got to the island, Ko Pha Ngan, to get ripped off. Anyways, I found another guy who also did not book a place to stay for the night so we went searching at 1am. A great time of day to look for a place. We decided money was not going to matter that night and we were willing to stay at the first place we found with vacancy. We found a classy looking hotel that had a pool and even a free continental breakfast. High class living. It costed us 1000 baht each, which is $30..not too bad.
Bangkok was extremely hot, busy and smelly. You can see a lot of the Thai people wearing mouth covers to protect their lungs from the harsh pollution. Once on the street I was surprised how nice the locals were striking up conversation with me, but then realized they just wanted my money. Almost everyone was trying to get me into their store to buy a suit which I had absolutley no interest in since it felt like it was over 100 degrees. The tuk tuk drivers are always looking to take you somewhere and after a few minutes of walking, already sweating through my shirt, we gave in and let the tuk tuk driver take us around to a few places. But within minutes he brought us to a tailor so we could buy suits. After turning him down saying we really didn't need suits at the moment, he seemed to lose interest in us. Apparently the drivers get commission when they bring people to buy suits. And at our next stop he abandoned us without even taking any money from us.
After two nights in Bangkok, I ended up on the island of Ko Pha Nagn where I quickly learned that getting on a motor bike is not just like riding a bike. I really didn't see pracitce as essential so I hopped on and after my thirty second ride and a few scrapes I decided I would just stick to othe means of transportation. But seriously, there are like eight year old kids driving these things while balancing their five brothers and sisters on the back... it looked so easy. So I stayed on Ko Pha Ngan for a week, soaked up some sun and read in my hammock. Really just a nice vacation since my life has been so difficult the past six months. I also went to the island's famous full moon party which was about 10,000 completely wasted people on a beach. When buying alcohol they give you a little bucket which you mix a bottle of rum, a can of soda, a red bull and ice in and then you carry it around drinking it with about 18 straws..Genius!

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Photos

Khao San Road, Bangkok
A lot of backpackers, bars, markets and suits!

Had to show ya the wires in Bangkok Dad!
you can see and hear the electricity from time to time..wheres Con Ed?

Comments

[Erica]

7-Eleven
Good to know that Bangkok has 7-elevens. At least you can get a big-gulp while sweating your ass off. LOVE AND MISS YOU! Erica

[Aunt Suzanne]

wish I was doing what your doing!!!!
Hi Brett, sorry I haven't commented sooner. You look wonderful!!! what an awesome experience. I can't wait to see you. I have a favor to ask, your Mom mentioned that you were going to Spain. If you could bring me a small rock from a special spot in spain I would really appreciate it. Its ok if you forget. Enjoy the rest of your journey. Be careful. Love, Aunt Suzanne PS look forward to more blogs. keep sending.

[Eve]

BRETT!!!! Oh man, it sounds like fun. I've heard that Bangkok is all about the suits. You're going all the way to Spain and you can't make a teeny, tiny little stop in Korea?

[Jack]

Spain
Brett, are you really going to Spain? Don't forget i spent 2 and one half years there in the Navy. Can hook you up (Ahem!) You'll love the country and the people and there history. Need any tips if you go, let me know. Again, take care, have a ball. See ya in October!