The Young Man Odyssey

Khoa San Road is the tourist ghetto of all Thailand, and where I vowed I would never stay, as I knew it wasn’t my cup of tea. However, the nice young Canadian I met on the bus was staying around here, so at the behest of my new buddy, I followed him to the crowded, drunk streets.

I got to Khoa San road yesterday at about 2 o’clock, fooling myself I was not jet lagged, but indeed I was. The bars were filled with drinking foreigners, and the whole place in retrospect seems like a bizarre version of frat row at some sleazy college. Given my lack of sleep, and the clothes which were now flat, sweat pressed against my body in a dismal stink, I was not a happy camper. And when my Canadian compatriot invited me to go out to dinner with he and his friends, I politely declined and then beat myself up for it for a few hours, feeling like a loner.

However! I was moody, tired, sweaty in a new city and when he had asked his friends for the nights itinerary their response was, “Party.” There shall be many nights for that, but it took me a few hours to realize I could go at my own pace and not feel bad for refusing an invitation.

All the negative things I’ve said about Khao San Road, it’s not a putrid hole. I just REALLY feel like a tourist here and like it’s not true Thailand. I had eggs for breakfast for christs sake. The city is really cool and exciting, I think it was just a bit much at first, but I’ve adapted in this morning time. I have woken with the sun and plan to shop around for some very breathable clothes before taking my bus to Prachuap Khiri Khan, which is the tentative destination.

I hope someone reads this, and if you do, much appreciated and pass on the good word.