Well all, my first week of traveling has about wrapped up. Already I have seen much, met wonderful people, and had my expectations of what I was expecting to be shattered completely. I feel like I'm tangled somewhere between optimism and melancholy, homesickness and wanderlust, awe of the infinite generative creativity of the world, and the desire to contract to my comfort zone in both my position in space, and my mental perspective as well. But it strikes me that a tree sprouting a new branch probably too. Such it is. It has been quite the adventure so far. But that's enough about me. Lets talk about Bangkok.
Bangkok. Here is a place where the old meets the new, a place where you'll be offered more suits in a stroll around the block than you ever have been offered in your entire life, a place described to me by another resident of the hostel I'm staying at as, "a place where not winding up with a cock in your hand is considered a resounding success". From what I heard, his evening was not successful. Sorry about that friend.
Anyway, the amount of information I processed stepping out of my taxi to arrive at my hostel was simply crippling. Asia is incredibly different to the United States. There are so many places of business crammed into such a small place. Brand new sights, and smells, feelings of fear and wonder, coupled with a sense of being ever so small. But on reflection, that's good isn't it? When one tries to see the world, shouldn't one be humbled? After finding my hostel and unpacking, I stopped by Khao San Road nearby, the Mecca of backpacking in Thailand. I found some food, and then promptly passed out on my bed after chatting with two Japanese fellows who were on holiday from Tokyo. They were wonderful, and we split beers.
The next day is where the fun actually began. I went to go explore this new land unseen by me. The first thing that I learned is that there is a much different philosophy on driving in Asia. In America, we try to practice defensive driving. But apparently, that's a peculiarly Western idea. It is not uncommon for a tuk-tuk to cut across two lanes of traffic, within moments of oncoming traffic-related destruction, only to cut in between two cars that were already mere inches from each other. But the fate favors the bold I suppose.
So off I went to some other places. I saw a Buddha shrine that is supposed to give you good luck. I arrived mere moments after a local acolyte, and while he did his prayers and prostrations, I walked around the back awkwardly trying not to disturb him. Afterwards though, we struck up a conversation, (he spoke fluent English) and he informed me that this Buddha in particular is supposed to give good luck if one prays to him on Buddha Day, which, funnily enough, it was. So, as good luck is hard to come by, I did as the man told me, and actually, I think it worked. But more on that in my next post.
I saw some more sights, and as the blistering Asian sun began to become oppressive, I asked my driver to return me to Khao San. He obliged, I gave him his 100B, and went to lie down in my hostel bed. Shortly afterwards I met a wonderful Latvian girl, and after a nice conversation, she invited me to join her to Phetchaburi the next day for a day-trip. I obliged, and we parted ways for the evening. For the walls were rattling with the sounds of Khao San nightlife, and I wished to add my living tones to the wall vibrations.
I went to go adventuring on Khao San, and decided to have a beer at a bar called "Lucky Beer". It was a fairly unassuming place in comparison to the clubs and such nearby, but to their credit, the waitress was fantastic. After she gave me my check, and bowed to me, she started to to a little jig. I danced back, and before you know it, we were dancing. Definitely a lot of fun!
Later on I went to go listen to some live music that I heard from the street, which was just incredible honestly. I met some folk from Austria who told me the most hilarious, horrible joke I've ever heard. I tried out grasshopper with them. It tasted terrible. But I feel as if the legs were the worst part, as they got those spiky things on them which hurt going down the throat, you know?
Well reader, that's all for today. Next post I'll be writing about my trip to Phetchaburi with my Latvian friend. As always, stay safe, and Happy Travels!