Goodmorning, Bangkok!

Sam and I arrived in Bangkok last night, from Ko Chang. Upon arrival, we spent about 2 hrs with our packs on looking for accomodations. Our bus dropped us off by Koh San Road (which is THE backpacker neighborhood). As we walked around we would go into a hotel and it would ether be too expensive ($50) or too cheap ($15)... We were looking for something in the $30 range--but were hard pressed to find it. As we treked through the busy streets we kept reminding eachother that it was hot and if either one of us needed a break to voice it--no fighting. As we approaced the "democracy monument" we noticed some cute resturants and we decided to inquire whether or not these resturants had hotels too. Sam approached an older gentleman, I guess he was like the maitradee or valet? He basically said, "follow me," and we did. He took us down a dark alley, and I thought... Sam's a big guy, he could take this old man... Fortunatelly, squeezed between the older concrete buildings I noticed modern construction with horizonal wood siding and glowing light beaming out of it. The man led us into a fairly modern building with a smiling receptionist. And it was at that moment that I didn't care if it was $50/night. We were taking it. Sam and I negotiated a good rate and the room was exactly what we were looking for. Clean, modern, large, free in room wifi, and a good bathroom (my main priority)... And less than $50!

We have agreed to stay in Bangkok for a week, and I am so excited! Bangkok reminds me of what I envision NY to have looked like in the '70s. It has an interesting relationship between modern and dated. The roads are freshly paved; fuschia, green, blue, and yellow taxis fill the streets; modern buildings and monumets are scattered throughout; and the public areas (gardens and landscape) are impecably maintained. But there are also dated aspects. The tuk-tuk's (motor bikes with carriages attached) are classics; the busses are reminicient of the bus Rosa Parks was kicked off of; and most of the buildings could, in the least, use a good scrubbing!

When we went out for dinner last night Sam and I were on shop-aholoc overload. The streets are so visually stimulating, it was hard to exercise the self control to not buy everything. I had Sam remind me that all of this crap will be here all week--he then also reminded me that most of it is Made in China, which as we have learned, falls apart after one washing. He escorted me out of the shopping area proptly after dinner--otherwise he knew he would fall victim to me shopping for endless hours!

Now, a story.

All week Sam has screwed up my metal clock. Every day, "so MAYBE on Monday morning at 8:30 we could go out and find a place that has the Pats game on!". (the US is a perfect 12 hr time difference). This has led me to think that every day is Sunday night... "so what day is it? When do you want to watch this game?" I keep asking....

When it comes to American football Sam is a 10 year old boy on Christmas eve. And last night (Sun) he reminded me, again, of his Monday morning wish. Thos morning he reminded me at 7:30 ("let's go and find the game"), 8:00 ("honey... Hurry up!"), 8:30 ("can you please get off the phone with your mother so we can go"), and 8:45 ("I'm not getting my hopes up, I am just crossing my fingers"). We headed to Koh San, figuring we would have the best luck there and as we headed down the road we discovered a plaza looking space with a McDonalds and Starbucks... And an Irish Pub! I led Sam upstairs and we looked at all of the TVs.... Nothing. So we asked the bartender. He began searching the channels an I swear Sam stopped breathing while he did this.... You know, like a kid holding his breath by a cemetery. And then... Like magic. Sam spotted NBC. "There it is!" He pulled up a bar stool and almost shouting hapiness at the bartender "two menus please!"

And so here we sit at 9:00 am. At a bar in Bangkok. Sipping on fresh fruit smoothies. Me, blogging. And Sam with the loud clap whenever we get a touchdown (except here, no one knows why Sam is clapping. So they just turn and stare at us like we are crazy).




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