Bangkok, Thailand

I awoke from my wine coma at about 02:00 this morning; I was up for the next few hours and spent the time researching hostels to stay in while in Bangkok; I then eventually fell asleep again sometime after 05:00.

I woke up during the day at 09:00 and had some trouble staying awake and then getting out of bed. I showered, dressed, packed my bags, and then walked the hundred meters or so to the Railway Station; once there I found out that the next train to Bangkok would not leave until 12:18; so I walked to the nearby 7-11, bought some snacks and drinks, and hung out at the restaurant in the hostel I stayed at until it was time to leave for good. I walked back to the train station at 12:00, bought my ticket (it was only fifteen baht!), waited for the train to arrive, and then boarded one of the economy cars on the train. The train then clickity-clacked south to Bangkok, taking about two hours to reach the end of the line – Bangkok Railway Station. I then grabbed my bags and walked to a promising hostel I found online early this morning when I first woke up. I walked west through the streets and in less than a half hour I was there. I checked in to a four-person dormitory (which I have all to myself for the time being) and then relaxed and typed some journals on my laptop. When it was time for dinner, I left the hostel with camera and umbrella, and walked to Khao San Road (a famous street for backpackers to lodge and drink at).

It was about a ten minute walk away, past many temples and monuments; when I reached it, it was rather dismal (perhaps because of the rain shower); the street had vendors lined up on both sides, there were some cheap looking pubs, not a whole lot of people, and their were a few freelance girls trying desperately to sell their bodies (one grabbed my arm begging me to take her for the night, so I snapped at her like a dog protecting its food dish from outside invaders; it is sad though, she’s probably been drugged and fucked since she was twelve years old and doesn’t know any other life – she was also at that turning point in her life, from youthful beauty to used-up old hag, thus the desperation). I then quickly walked through Khao San Road and then walked through the side-winding alleyways surrounding Khao San, which were much better – there were plenty of nice looking restaurants, less vendors, and less whores. I found a worthy establishment for my money and had a green curry chicken soup, Thai fried rice with prawns, and a banana smoothie. After dinner, I walked back through Khao San (much livelier now that it was later and the rain had temporarily stopped. I then walked back to my hostel, bought a beer and some tea along the way, entered the hostel, drank my beer and tea, relaxed, and then went to sleep.