I surprised myself by feeling rather conflicted about leaving India--actually thought of some things I might miss--the food, the nice locals I met, the adventure of it... and wondered what my experience would be like if I stayed longer. But, all of that was quickly forgotten in the relief of being somewhere new, somewhere different--Bangkok! I found a great, rather luxe place to stay the first two nights I was here, which was a nice treat. It didn't really feel like I was in Thailand, but more importantly, it didn't feel like I was in India!

I've now moved to a guest house where my room has no a/c and shared bath--it's back to the "real" world of budget travel! But the place I'm staying is nice, and in a good location in the neighborhood of Thewet (or Thewes), north of Khao San Road.

It's hot here, although not as hot as I remember it was when I came in September the last time. The humidity is a total adjustment for this San Francisco weather wimp.

One of the things I noticed first was the women here--everywhere! They run the guest houses, the shops, the stands on the road, practically everything, so I see women everywhere, and interact with them constantly--a very nice change after the very male-dominated world of India. And since there are so many westerners who travel through here, I'm hardly an oddity and don't feel like nearly as much of a spectacle here. Like any big city of the world, people hardly give me a second glance. I love it. Unfortunately, English doesn't seem as wide-spoken as I remember, but I'll get by I'm sure, and I have my handy phrasebook and hope to add some words to my Thai vocabulary.

I just booked onward travel by train and bus to the town of Krabi, where I hope to do some kayaking and then go relax on a nearby island for a few nights before I report for the meditation retreat on the 28th. I also got my Vietnam visa, so I'm all set to move on from here.

Oh, and ALL of my India pictures are now online--enjoy!