And the city don’t know what the city is getting. (bonus points for anyone who knows (without googling it) who sings that song) 

I’m now remembering why I liked Bangkok. It isn’t just a polluted, overcrowded, hot and humid metropolis. Yes, it still needs a powerwash, but it actually seems a bit cleaner than before. I don’t see quite as many buses/trucks spewing black smoke. 

I haven’t been here in 5 years since my one year living here in 98/99. I’m staying on Khao San Road, the quintessential backpacker hangout — the Thais here all speak some English and sell cheap clothes and gifts. I am surprised by how much this area has changed – although I am staying in the same place I stayed 5 years ago. The road is a LOT cleaner, the road has been repaved and flagged, and it is a popular hang out for young Thais now, especially on the weekend. There are more trendy clothes now too, not just the typical backpacker garb. Of course you can still get your hair braided and buy fake student IDs. 

The most important part of Khao San Road though is the excellent street food. It rules. No other country has come close (the tacos in Mexico were good, as were the pupusas in El Salvador – but each country only had the one thing). My favorite here is the pad thai, and I love being able to point to the style of noodle I want. Thai restaurants in the US never exactly understood what I wanted. And secondly is the banana pancake. I took a video of their making it, I’m going to try and load it somewhere. First they flatten out the little ball of dough into like a big thin crepe, fry it, slice up a banana inside, then fold up the sides to make a square. Drizzle it with sweetened condensed milk and you have a delicious dessert. Unfortunately the carts don’t come out til about 5pm. I am sure all of you that have had these are drooling now, I had been craving them for five years. 

Street vendor selling pad thai, mmmmm

That’s mine on the right, and she is laying a new crepe to eat. So simple, but so delicious

The fruit shakes are also delicious and cheap, as well as the fresh fruit. I also had those little coconut jello things for breakfast, like a sweetened coconut custard, I declined spring onions in mine. And the som tam, a green papaya salad (chopped into what look like noodles) with tomatoes, lime, and spices. I now remember why I always asked for no chili, I asked for a little and it was all I could handle. 

Today I went to the floating market, about 100km south of the city. I hadn’t been there before and arranged transportation and an hour boat ride for just $5, so I went. It was a good day trip, I took a few pictures. I only bought a mango. 

This is really mostly for tourists, but there are a lot of people who live along the canals that buy their produce from the boats

This morning I had a Thai massage, it was far better than I remembered it, and I remembered it fondly. I think I was lucky in the masseuse I got. It is a lot of pressing and releasing, with thumbs, hands, forearms, elbos, knees, feet, etc. I mean the masseuse uses the above body parts to massage you. I got a two hour massage (the amount of time necessary for a full traditional massage) for just $7. It felt really really good, it’s almost like having done yoga, you are stretched out and without pressure all your back goes into place. I am glad I waited til this morning to do it, otherwise I am sure I would have had to get another. 

Went to find out about a ticket to Kathmandu, and found one on Bangladesh Air for $180. But I have to stay in Dhaka for the night (free accommodation). It saved over a $100 vs the Thai Airways flight, so I went ahead an booked it. I leave Sunday at 4pm. According to the travel agent, the airline has never crashed. 

I guess that is it for Thailand. I had a lot of time on my hands here since I had done all the tourist things but my flight didn’t leave til Sunday. I spent most of the time just trying to get hungry so I could eat again. That was hard work.