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Hi Everyone!
I'm sad to say that I'm looking at this free computer that we've got at our fingertips here at the Pridi hostel and unfortunately it's from the 1990s so there's no chance I'll be updating you any further with photos that aren't taken from mine and Jocelyn's cell phone. So, while you won't be flooded with another 200 photos of our adventures in Bangkok as you were in Chiang Mai, I'm sure we'll manage to send you a glimpse of what we're seeing here as we've got a full 6 nights we'll be spending here. However, I'll fill you in on our day and start off with the obvious...
Yes. We've made it safe and sound to Bangkok... :)
This morning we got up at 8am (as per usual) and packed up real quick before scarfing down breakfast. Really, I was the one scarfing as I told Jocelyn to feel free to go start eating while I worked through packing the "community bag" as if it were the final round in a game of tetris wherein I was the victor if I could manage to fit all of our extra pieces plus those that had already been in there to begin with as it was our carryon (trying to limit to three between the two of us and save the need for a second duffel bag).
I won.
So after breakfast we took the cab that our lovely host, Aang, had called for us and went to the factories that made all of the jewelry, silk, woodcarvings, aluminium, umbrellas, etc., in Chiang Mai. At times it was fascinating. At times, it was mildly interesting. And at times, Jocelyn and I were ready to play a game of cat and mouse to see if the floor associates would be able to find us. I swear I almost ducked behind a display of silk to see how long it would take them to find me (which would have ben approximately .25 seconds). It didn't take long for us to once again feel like tourists as opposed to just being people that were there for a reason that was unknown to most but still accepted. But no matter! We suceeded in finding some great items to bring back home and still learn a thing or two about the dedication and care involved in preserving the art and beauty that the Thail people have managed to maintain over the centuries.
After a visit to the first silk factory and becoming painfully aware that there were probably more as we were in the "Thai Silk Village" and had only visited ONE location (hardly a village) we asked if we could head back to our hostel. Thankfully, we had the perfect reason. We had a flight to catch in 2 1/2 hours!
So we headed back to the hostel, grabbed our bags and managed to convince our cab driver that he should stick around to take us to the airport (he seriously said goodbye like, three times, before he realized we were trying to ask if he'd take us to the airport). Thankfully, once Aang explained what we were asking he was more than happy to continue earning additional fair.
Chiang Mai airport is a nice, small airport. Not the smallest I've been to, but pretty small in comparison to most I've encountered on my travels. Domestic flights have 6 gates and international have the same or less. Honestly, I couldn't tell and it was all very confusing. Joce and I got to the airport and decided that lunch was necessary in order to maintain a positive attitude as we knew what lay ahead. Flights and then navigating a new city and trying to manage the bags (very HEAVY bags, mind you) as well as ensure that we're not getting ripped off is a job in and of itself. So we looked around only to discover that we had literally two options for lunch that wasn't treats, coffee/tea (VERY POPULAR), or chips... Dairy Queen or Burger King.
The King won.
$15 dollars later we were a little annoyed by the price but happy that the food was edible and didn't resemble cardboard. It was actually surprisingly good all things considered! Not $15 good but I guess beggars can't be choosers. Though I'll admit, when I came to Thailand I never in my wildest dreams thought that Burger King would be the most expensive meal we'd have.
So we hopped our flight (160 of the 200 on this flight were from two tourists groups and about 70% of them were Aussies) and headed for Bangkok.
Bangkok is a HUGE city and it is very HOT. It took a bit but we managed to find a taxi to take us here which turned out to be during rush hour. Upon arrival we trekked up five flights of stairs to our room. It's a small room, sparcely furnished but has all the necessities and included a bathroom for the floor. Seeing a washer/dryer about made us jump for joy. That will be used in the AM!
So we rested up a little, checked the blog to find out who'd read and written to us and then went to grab some street food nice and quick over by the 7-11 (no, they don't have slurpees- we checked). Chicken was on the menu so we brought it back to the hostel and came up to the common room where I now sit and watched Chicago while sipping on some drinks (I've officially tried Chang- nice!) and eating some chicken and some other varieties of meat that I'm not entirely sure of (Jocelyn was a bit more adventurous than I was at that point).
And now here we are. Jocelyn's in bed and I'm writing to you all while I have one of the Narnia movies on behind me (I'm very limited on my options here).
What tomorrow holds, we don't know. We have a map and there's another here in the room that actually tells me where we are. Once I've determined this then I can plan out the next move. Maybe a cabaret show? Maybe another temple? Maybe both? If it were Wednesday we'd maybe even throw in a Muay Thai event possibly...
Check back in to find out!
Have a great day!!!
- comments
Mom Mason So happy to hear you are there and safe and sound. The King burger kind of bites but alas it is food. I hate to think that America has tainted other countries with fast food. Oh well we east Thai food here. Jana - Thanks for the update Jocelyn - sleep well it is your special time:)
auntie Dom Hi Jocie, Hope you and Jana are having a great time, I'm enjoying your adventures right along with you, except for the rat eating part. I was so proud of myself when I ate calamari, so you definitely have me beat. Delaney got her license recently and she has this really cool car to drive. Take care and talk to you soon. Love you sweetie! I