Khao San madness

Trip Start Oct 30, 2005
1
13
59
Trip End Jun 19, 2006


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Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Jaysus christ, I'm here on Khao San road, and it looks to all intents and purposes like the bastard child of Las Vegas and Tokyo, an explosion at a neon factory, and there's more white people than I've seen in weeks!

Welcome to Bangkok.

This is not helping my fever though...

Finally, after a week of feeling like crap, I've found out what's wrong. It seems like I've had a nasty case of dengue fever, which has kept me basically bed-ridden since Siem Reap. Due to infirmity, and doctor's orders, I have been confined to quarters, resting and reading, and so have wandered almost no further afield in Bangkok than Khao San Road
[01] Waiting for the train
[01] Waiting for the train
. Tropical diseases 1, Connor 0.
Thankfully, though, I've been in good hands for the last few days here in Bangkok, which has made things much more pleasant. I have been sharing a room with two lovely (and attractive) Canadian nurses, Sarah and Trilby, who have been taking excellent care of me. Being confined to bed wasn't too bad really! :-) They left this morning, and I miss them already (thanks guys xo). I am feeling much healthier now, but still have to take it easy, with India looming on the horizon.

Khao San Road is the most fascinating place. It may well be the supreme location for people-watching anywhere on the planet. A concentrated microcosm of travelhood, straight out the pages of The Beach, in all its neon vibrancy. I think the best way to describe it is as an anthropological zoo, a behavioural study, a living laboratory to capture all the social rituals of the travelling human. Some people I'm sure never leave this place, either for the length of their trip, or indeed, their lives. Instead, they become mired in the Groundhog Day of life on KSR, where everything is on offer, everyday, all at once. I can't work out if I like it or loathe it... I know I'll look forward to leaving it
All races, all colours, all flags ("3 for 100 baht, for your pack, you want?"), Amazonian lady-boys tottering along on 5-inch heels, defying gravity and staying upright by virtue of pneumatic chests; sunburnt and shirtless Liverpool lads emerging from the night before and wetting the whistle for the night to come; tanned toned couples clutching their bags of genuine copies, entire wardrobes for a price of a pair of Levis; the 60's mystic now in his 60's, long white hair, denim vest and cutoff shorts, who was here before Alex Garland gave it to the world and will never leave.

It's all here.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need some pad thai...
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Comments

victorip
victorip on

Hiya, babe!
Sorry to hear about the illness, darl :-(, but it sounds like you were in good hands. :-)
This is my first 'comment' but I've been going through all your entries I have not been in the least bit surprised to find them friggin fab! I've got my one-way ticket to KL, then from KL to Rome in May, but your insightful, descriptive wee running report is making my itchy feet even itchier and I just can't wait! Keep it up, babe. :-)
Vicky P.

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