Hello again, my friends! Well, we are three days into our trip and it already feels like we've been here a month. Amazing how warped our concept of time is at present. All right, let's cut the crap and get down to details!

The flight was...well, the longest of my young life. Man, I'll tell you what, though: the Asian airlines seem to be far superior to what we offer in America. I mean, everything was great (even the food!) and the service was impeccable. And we we went with the "budget" airlines (EVA). So anyway, we landed and took a taxi to Khao San Road , which is where all the farang (foreigners) congregate. The accomodations are dirt cheap (and bare bones), but we are hardly ever there anywhere. There is food EVERYWHERE!!! Lot's of good food, lot's of new food. Interesting story: last night, Chad and I were hanging out with some Canadian guys at the Moonshine Bar drinking buckets (yes, you read correct) of Vodka & Red Bulls. These dudes busted out a bag of roasted bugs. So, I had a fine time feasting on locusts, scorpions, and mealworms. Not that bad at all. Seriously. Kind of like eating really salty peanuts in the shell.

Let's go back to our first day here since I kind of fast-forwarded with the bug story. Our first night was so chill. We were all (there were two others we met on the flight that hung out with is until yesterday) just sitting on the street on these mats drinking a ton of cheap Beer Chang with people from all over Europe and Thailand. Great times...I felt at home right away. We didn't sleep because there was plenty of resting on the plane, so when the sun came up, we headed to the river to take a long-boat ride to see some of the temples. Very beautiful architecture.

Long-boat Ride in Bangkok

Chad and I also caught some muay thai (kickboxing) at Ratchamanoen Stadium. Some of these kids are so young, but that's the way it goes I guess.

Chad in His Element

This morning we headed to Lumphini Park to work out. They have this outdoor gym where a bunch of Thai bodybuilders do their thing. It's great and totally free. I wish we had that back in the states, but oh well. The guys there are freaking buff as hell. All smiles though...very friendly people.

My two main complaints about Bangkok: the guys trying to rip you off and the pollution. It is dirty here for sure and the traffic is insane. Seattle does not even come close. Nobody obeys any traffic laws really, which makes travelling very interesting. I kind of prefer it. We have been using tuk-tuks to get around which are these cute little three wheeled things. Look one up on the internet if you want to see a picture.

Heinous Traffic

My next entry will likely be from Chiang Mai (in the North) which we are laeaving for on Wednesday. Ta-ta for now...it's clobbering time.

"That which does not kill me, strengthens me."
Friedrich Nietzche