Our first days in Thailand
Friday, July 27th, 2007We are definitely not in Kansas anymore…or Japan for that matter.
We made it. The flight on JAL 703 was amazing; despite the fact the Melissa and I got separated ☹. We had our noises were in Harry Potter books anyways. It turns out vegan meals get served first and the flight attendants served us multiple Yebisu beers.
Arriving at BKK airport was quite a shock at first. The airport is huge. In the main entrance there’s a crazy systems of massive escalators, sort of. They have no steps so they can accommodate carts, and they level out at times before descending or ascending again. The Muslim prayer room also surprised me. It seemed normal enough with many Muslims about, but what I found interesting was the sign. It was right with the “exit”, “restrooms”, “telephone”…”Muslim prayer room”. Icons of praying Muslims and all (one garbed one not)
Standing in the foreign passports line in customs I realized how not-diverse Japan really is. Usually in Japan you see 85% Japanese people 10%other Asians, and the rest a mix of whiteies and Africans. Not the case in BKK. Whites, Blacks, Browns, and everything in between, of every variety, surrounded us quite homogeneously. I really felt like a member of a global community. The hum of foreign dialects tuned in like an AM radio station. I didn’t know a human could make such sounds. I felt as if my blue passport with that big, bold, eagle on it stood out like a sore thumb. Not that there’s no other Americans coming to Thailand, but I couldn’t help but think about all the political relationships between the hundred people directly around me. I suppose it a good thing that we’re all just people and not governments.
The taxi drivers are insane, or the worlds best drivers. Perhaps both. Like a swarm of bumble bees they move in and out of lanes, all acting as if they are one big organism. Sometimes a three-lane road will have four or five cars in one row, and then a few motorcycles come zipping through.
-this is a Toktok, not a regular taxi. Half rickshaw, half motorcycle, and way fun, cheap too
The family running our hostel was waiting for us at the door. They helped us in, gave us water and made us feel like royalty. This was really our first time interacting with Thai people (they don’t care that much in the cabs or at the airport). They were nicer than we ever thought. So far they have whipped up home made Thai food on a whim, served us fresh squeezed orange juice (as in we waited why they went and squeezed some), and given us loads of advice on Bangkok. The husband speaks very good English, however our communication with his wife is all smiles and thoughts.
-fresh fruit for breakfast
Our room is great. I’d compare it to an older Econo-lodge in Iowa, just it’s $8 a night. When first showed in after the lights were flipped on the owner had to shoo out a 9” spider. He gave one swift flick of the wrist and murmured some Thai that I figured meant “Get out of here, you knew we had guest in here tonight!”
Walking the streets is an adventure all in it’s self. Sometimes the nicest person will just want to chat about Thailand, America, what brought you to Thailand, and then wish you a good stay and be on their way. Other times pushy cab drivers wont stop following you, and street vendors can be rather harassing too.
Bangkok is ok. It’s just a big city, and doesn’t seem to have so many of the redeeming qualities we felt in Tokyo and Taipei. They do have a very simple and very user-friendly Skytrain and MRT/BTS systems. However with only three limited lines it seems that (at this point) it’s really just a big shopper’s shuttle. There are so many foreigners in Bangkok, us included. Most of them though are just here to buy crap anyways. The Thai people know it. It’s obvious that they’re here to take advantage of a relatively cheap Asian shopping experience (although prices are rising). The way I look at it, crap, i.e. stuff you don’t need is always expensive no matter how low the price is. We can’t wait to get up north. Everyone has been saying great things.
I want to make friends with an elephant.
Zach