Finally in Thailand
Trip Start
Nov 08, 2006
1
12
260
Trip End
Ongoing
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Bangkok, Thailand
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
But we arrived at midnight after a 7 hour flight and an 11 hour overall journey, and the plane couldn't even pull up to the terminal at the new international airport in Bangkok. So we piled into buses and headed over to immigration. We were mildly nervous because when we checked in for our flight the computer told us that Thailand would not allow passengers without an onward ticket. For a moment we thought we wouldn't be allowed to board, but I explained to the ticket agent that I had spoken with a woman at the Thai embassy in DC who had told me that we didn't need an onward ticket as long as we could prove we had sufficient funds to travel. What I didn't mention was that while we planned to carry a print out of our savings and checking info, in the chaos before we left we failed get said items. So we had a few hundred bucks, several credit cards, and our good looks. That seemed sufficient for travel in Thailand. The let us board the plane but we spent 7 hours fearing we may not be allowed to enter the country. I told Lindsey I'd sneak in the side door while she distracted them with a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner in a thick East Texas accent. Then I'd hire a coyote to get her in.
But the guy at immigration didn't even speak to us. He just stamped our passports and let us through. We wandered out, called our hotel to make sure they had our reservation (they didn't) and that they had a room available at the price they promised (0 for 2). We went to the hotel and took a room on the fourth floor that could only be reached by precarious stairs that were just wide enough for tiny, tip toeing Thai feet. Lindsey wasn't even allowed to carry her pack down the next day because she assured me she would plummit to her death and I thought this was too early in the trip for that. I didn't expect to lose her until week 7 or 8. Our room had twin beds which was a blessing because we both smelled like a bath mat I had in college. She asked if I wanted to push the beds together. I shook my head politely and blew her a kiss from across the room.
The AC at least worked and it got downright chilly, which I wouldn't have thought possible. We slept hard but only for a few hours. The next morning we were placed in the room we had requested at the price we were promised. Things were looking up. The new room even had a western style toilet (like a cowboy hat) as opposed to the Thai squat toilets. And the best part is there is a 30 inch wooden statue of Buddha balanced on the wall facing the bed. It's not as tasteful or comforting as a bloody crucifix, but it will have to do. Crazy Buddhists.
That day we went for a walk around our hotel (we have a better map of Bangkok) and found a beautiful park with a zoo. I'm not a big fan of zoos. The animals look sad behind the bars. I prefer them on my plate where they don't look like much of anything at all. "Really, that was a monkey! I would have never guessed with all that steak sauce on it!" I jest. I don't know that I've ever eaten a monkey, and I've heard that steak sauce masks the natural flavor.
The zoo was shockingly cool. Hands down, best zoo I've ever seen. It had hippos, elephants, tons of birds, camels, zebras, giraffes, tapirs, and a dozen different primates. The primates were the coolest. The slow lorises were adorable. If the animals hadn't looked so forlorn, it would have been better. So I left feeling a little down, but at least the animals were safe and well fed. We plan on visiting a gibbon sanctuary up north, so that should be cool.
The day was a success. And we returned to our hotel which has a very cool restaurant on the bottom floor. It has a diverse and inexpensive menu. Everything is $2 or $3 per meal. And the food is amazing. Also, while we were eating a woman approached from the street and held out a collection jar and requested money. I couldn't understand her. She repeated herself, "For Buddha." She was collecting money for Buddha. I gave her some cash because I liked that. She wasn't collecting for a church or a cause or a building. This money went straight to a deity. That's the way to do it.
I've also gotten pretty good with chopsticks. Actually, I was already pretty good. Now I'm amazing. I can perform open heart surgery with those things.
We plan to explore Bangkok for a week or so. I've heard nothing but bad things, but I really like it so far. Plus, I don't want to pack again.
Comments
yeah
you said bangkok.