Hi. I am writing from Bangkok Thailand at this time although tomorrow night I will leave to go to an area west and south of Bangkok called Kanchanaburi - the area the film "Bridge over the River Kwai" is about. Anyways, as you can see (although it might take awhile) I have managed to get some pictures on the website finally. I will add descriptions at a later date. This is all thanks to a terrific internet cafe in Bangkok that I happened upon. Maybe I can get them to save some of my pictures to CD too seeing that I already have over 200.
Anyways, since I last wrote, I flew to Bangkok on Monday March 15 after waiting in Manila airport for what seemed like a long time as my flight was delayed. I arrived without difficulties to the airport and then spoke with the nice Thailand tourism lady who told me lots of cool things. Anyways, I was able to get train tickets right across from the airport and then made my way to an airport bus that would take me into Bangkok. I met a nice German girl on the bus and we exchanged email addresses but I have not heard from her again. She had been travelling alone for 2 months already and had come from Hong Kong. Anyways, I made it to the International Hostel that I had booked prior to leaving on the internet and at first I was less than pleased. It just seemed old and not that inviting and also a little ways away from the main tourism area (well I can walk but it's a little ways) called Khae Sam (something like that). But, after spending a night in an 8 bed dorm room with myself being the only person, I thought it wasn't so bad. I paid a very small price for my own room and ensuite bathroom (~$2.50). I toured around the Khao San area last night and bought a much needed skirt as well as a purse requested by Crystal's roommate, Julie. I was surprized that I could find it so easily.
Today, I was mega tourist in Bangkok. I walked to a central area in the heat (it is really hot here - I've already had 2 showers today and a third might be nice!)(and for those of you that know I am always cold it must be hot!). Anyways, I decided to try riding in a tuk-tuk - a motorized tricycle but nicer than the trikes in the Philippines. I think I was ripped off but it was only about $2.50 so whatever. I'll learn. I went to the Grand Palace and the temple of the Emerald Buddha. The architecture was very good and colorful. I tried taking a picture of one of the thrones indescretely because it said no pictures but a woman caught me because my flash went off and made me erase the picture. Oops. I was thoroughly embarrased and made my way out of that building as quickly as possible. I will never do that again. After that, though, I really did enjoy the Grand Palace and had a good time trying to buy something with people who hardly spoke any English. My little phrase book actually came in handy. They kept laughing - I'm not sure if it was at me but I just smiled and laughed too. I think they were laughing at what they were trying to say in English (?).
After that I went on a river cruise for a very small sum of money and walked around an area with lots of gem and silk shops. I went in one silk shop that also appeared to be tailors - they said they could have a skirt ready for me tonight but it was too expensive because I know I can get it cheaper. They did have nice silk, though.
I took a taxi to the train station to change one of my tickets back from Chaing Mai (which I've already booked) and then after some difficulty with taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers not understanding me, I got a tuk-tuk driver to take me to Jim Thompson's House - a tourist house of an American who lived in Thailand but had a house similar to traditional Thai houses. The guide was very interesting although somewhat difficult to understand her English (as mine is sometimes!).
Afterwards, I made my way to the skytrain (LRT) and then to another river boat to make it back to near my hostel. I still wasn't finished, though, as I tried to find this over mansion but it was closed by the time I got there. So, that's that. I took a taxi back to the hostel and had dinner at the cafe attached to it (for the second night).
Tomorrow I'm off to Kanchanaburi for one night (don't know where I'm staying yet but mom and dad you can always reach me by the messaging system I gave you and I have been in touch with Michael so he usually knows what's up). Tonight I'm still at the Bangkok International Youth Hostel. The number is 282-0950 with the area code 02 proceding and the country code proceding that which is 66.
Hope you are all doing well. Amy