It still amazes me how you can hop on a climate-controlled airplane, hang out in a seat for a couple hours, and emerge someplace completely different. From the arid mountains and sand dunes of central Asia the plane flew over open ocean to the lush green fields and canals of Thailand. The tourist infrastructure here is something of a shock to the system; there are English-speaking agents at the frequent information booths handing out free maps, most signs are in English as well as graceful Thai script, and everyone has a huge smile on their face. Plus, being in a big city is still a novelty for me. Public transportation? Four-lane highways? Jeezum crow!
About 5 seconds out of baggage claim I met a gal from Quebec who was headed to her hostel, so I tagged along with her onto the air conditioned bus and through the evening city. It's a western-style hostel with dorm rooms, communal kitchen, and bulletin boards full of a mind-boggling variety of information. After claiming a bed we walked down the street to find a little cafe for dinner, where we sat and watched them whip up our food at the little curb-side cart that served as the kitchen. I've fallen in love with Thai cuisine already; after two weeks of monti (boiled dumplings filled with meat), besh barmak (noodles topped with meat), shashleek (meat kabobs), and lagman (noodle soup with meat), all chased by copious amounts of bread and cream, we'll see how my system handles this switch to noodles and rice and veggies. Go, tummy, you can do it!
My plan is to spend the rest of the day getting my feet back underneath me, and then heading out of Bangkok as soon as possible. Cities, for me, are fun for about a day and a half.
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