So today I went shopping. There is nothing exceptional about going shopping except that it is not the easiest thing when you are practically a giant. I absolutely tower over almost everyone. Anyway I went to the weekend market at Chatuchak.

If you want to go, take the SkyTrain Sukhimvit line to Mo Chit. It was enormous. They had just about everything you could imagine, from gerbils to jeans. The Thais seem to wear a lot of jeans even though it is hotter than hell in Bangkok. I hear its hot everywhere, but that the problem is exacerbated b/c of the smog, which is terrible. Going up the steps to the Skytrain can make your lungs hurt. So I am rambling... whatever.

At the market I decided to bargain for some pants. I felt kind of dumb trying to knock 50 cents off the price when I was standing there in $50 american pants. but that is how things are done over here... even though i really wanted a shirt (my lightweight american shirts are way too heavy... and forget about a tshirt) a hat and a sarong (for sketchy hostels). oh well. some other day i can get those. anyway i thought i was getting drawstring pants, but they turned out to be wrap around pants that tie on the sides. well that works fine except they only tie at the waist, pretty much leaving the rest of the legs to flow around. this is good in the sense that it keeps you nice and cool, with lots of air circulation, but since I am so big they dont really wrap around enough and I end up showing a LOT of leg. soo... i am thinking they are kind of "not in public" pants. in the market you dont get to try anything on, but they were only $4 so what the hell.

pants out of the way, the Canadian yoga chick I met had a brilliant idea. Foot massages! And I mean that w/o my usual sarcasm. They were quite cool and relaxing and only $7.50 including tip. Go to Foot Joy on Soi 11, but beware the foot massage stick. It tickles! It took all my willpower not to convulsively kick the poor woman.

i rested up during the afternoon... and then took the SkyTrain again (you cant beat the skytrain in bangkok... its got AC!) to Lumphini Park to see what was going on for Loy Krathong (Full moon). Actually I walked the wrong way first... b/c I couldnt read the compass and b/c I am directionally impaired anyway and ended up walking to Siam Square and got to see the Erawan shrine (which is mostly a golden statue of some person sitting lotus-style). There were lots of people there, but they all looked like they were praying so I didnt stay too long. The guy at the hostel suggested Lumphini b/c the choa praya river was prolly packed. anyway... it was kind of chill. i bought some flowery thing (if i ever get the picture developed i will try to get it up here), lit the candles and the incense and then sent it on its merry way towards the middle of the lake, like everyone else was doing.

I found my way back and now that is past midnight here I think I am going to go shower up (after a whole day of sweating profusely.. you kind of smell funny. wont make friends that way) and head back to my little bed in the Suk 11. I have decided not to move out yet. Its cozy and there are some cool people there. Plus it gives me a good base camp while I try to figure out what to do next. Tomorrow I am gonna go see some of the major sites, but soon I think I am gonna go to Pattaya and get my PADI certification. When I get out of Bangkok I will literally breathe easier.