Bangkok

Bangkok was a short stay. We arrived at about 6pm and left for a 6am flight the next morning. I think 12 hours was even more than I could handle, surprisingly. My first impression on Bangkok was a great one, but that's because it was of the airport, which is architecturally stunning. The rest of the city is a lot for me to handle. I hear this happens often; your first visit to Bangkok does not give you a positive impression, but a second, third, and fourth visit will change your mind. I was only able to see the city at night, which makes it feel even more vast and uninviting.

I separated with Cath and her friends, an planned on meeting up with Cath again later that night. On the cab ride to my hostel, I experienced a strange moment that I'm sure happens much more often with children. I was alone in the cab and my jaw hit the floor. My face was practically squished against the glass window and cranking my neck as far as it would go as we drove by, my eyes unblinking. What I saw could be one of those phrases like "When pigs fly!"..."When elephants roam the highways in Bangkok!"

Because they do.

I had a great opportunity to have dinner with Chadaporn, a woman my aunt works with. This was definitely the highlight of my stay. It will be a major reason why I will return to Bangkok. I asked her about the elephants and she nonchalantly smiled and said yes, because they are running out of room for them. It's quite sad the more I think about it. Our dinner was wonderful. We ate at a little place that served Thai food and Irish beer. We ate Thai-style, which is just like family-style in America. Get a bunch of dishes that look tasty and dig in until you can't fit any food in your belly. She's about half my size and seemed surprised when I said I was full. (I think rice expands more in an American stomach). She politely stopped eating too. We then went to the night bazaar and did a lap around the market. This was overwhelming. I didn't buy anything and almost felt guilty; I definitely felt pressured by the sellers saying sweet nothings to me in English. Being an American in Thailand, especially at the markets makes you stand out like a sore dollar sign. You could be walking around naked and they would still see the money sitting in your pockets.

Traffic is another thing. I asked to head home from the night market because I told my sister I would meet her at the hostel that night, and I didn't anticipate the drive time to be so long. It took about an hour to drive not more than 10 blocks. It was raining, so apparently the traffic was extra bad. Although the rain stopped for our drive home and it was just as long. I think that's the biggest hindrance on my good impression of Bangkok. I hate traffic. Then again, I'm an American and I like to get places in a hurry. Thai people don't seem to mind. They could walk the 10 blocks, but why not take your time in an air-conditioned car? Not very eco-friendly, and the Thai are actually very good about bicycling and motor-biking everywhere. It's a mix.

I was happy to return to my hostel to find Cath there waiting for me. We had a nice evening and I didn't sleep a wink because I was so excited to get to Chiang Mai. I couldn't wait to meet my new home.