Bangkok and Koh Samet

Land of smiles, and rightfully so! I can't think of anything to be unhappy about...

Arrived in Bangkok with ease. Minutes before landing I had my first panic moment - I was conviniced and absolutely terrified that I would not get a visa, and have to turn around and come home. Unnecessary concerns, US citizens don't have to apply, or pay for a visa and I passed through customs with ease.

I've heard about the enormous skylines of Bangkok, with skyscrapers and billboards, but I couldn't see any of it through the smog. The sky was overwhelmingly dirty and when the taxi driver rolled down the window it became hard to breathe. Yet people drove by on motorcycles and open bedded trucks. Meeting Megan at the hostel was SO AMAZING I will be forever grateful for a familiar face greeting me right away. We went out and got dinner (pad thai) walked around our area of the city (sweating-90 degrees at 8pm) and for $5 stuck our feet in tubs of small fish that ate the dead skin off the bottoms, tops, and toe crevices of our dirty feet. After getting over the initial tickling shock (and I claim to not be ticklish) and enjoying a cold Tigre Beer we actually quite enjoyed the experience.

Walking around the city that night was a trip. We were offered billions of "ping pong shows," which the lady at the fish place explained to us...So bizarly disguisting it's not even internet appropriate. We feel very bad for the ladies who are in these positions. Sex tourism has been very obvious in Thailand. On the island we're on now, Koh Samet, there are dozens of older white men and Thai women together. They usually aren't speaking to each other, sitting in an odd silence. Its really obvious and really uncomfortable to be around.

But the island is beautiful and we spent all day today tanning and lounging. We're staying at Jeps hostel and have a room with a double bed and a fan for two nights paying 600 baht which is $20. Communal bathrooms and a great beachside restaurant. Tomorrow we'll spend half day here, half day transporting back to Bangkok because unfortunatley (for me) the following day Megan is flying to Nepal. I will spend the day in Bangkok and take the night train to Chiang Mai (arriving on the second) and begin my meditation retreat that day.

It is absolutely incredible to be here and begin this adventure. Megan has been so reassuring to me, telling me about the places she's been and how everything has worked out. The backpacking world is small. She's seen multiple people in various places throughout the region. In fact the first day we came here a couple walked by from her elephant tour in Chiang Mai. Im very excited to establish my own connections and see where the world guides me. Probably towards more delicious food.

Made it to Taiwan

...but I can't figure out how to use the phones. The airport is really cool. Right now I'm in the e-library using an iPad free of charge. They have a landscape relaxing area, prayer rooms, and stores beyond imagination. Hello kitty, Disney, Hermes, Burberry, you name it it is here. The flight was long but not terrible. I slept for about nine hours and watched inglorious bastards, and parts of the muppets and Sherlock Holmes. Quite the movie selection. My seat was third to last in the plane but it was sweet because I was close to the bathrooms. Since I ordered special veggie meals i got both meals before everyone else. I think the next flight will be more painful, only 4 hours but so much anticipation! I sat next to Wong, an older Vietnamese man who lives in Oregon and is visiting his family (5 brothers 3 sisters) in hoh chi Minh city, Vietnam. He invited me to come visit and stay with his brother who has a large house. Not sure if I'll make it, but he was a very welcoming entrance to the region. I am so happy to be here!! All the signs are English and chinese and the airport bathrooms are deluxe. Am meeting Megan at the hostel and were taking off tomorrow for the island. I'm going to attempt public transportation in bangkok because our hostel is close to a sky train stop. That will be interesting!! Thanks, mom, Jess, Lu and tonto for the send off. Luckily we were super early as the lines were incredibly long!

I leave tonight!!
Crazy and amazing. Thrilling.

TWO THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

A wisewoman once said to me: "I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within." 

"Choose not to feel harmed,

and you won't feel harmed. 

Don't feel harmed,

and you haven't been."

One Week Away

A little about my trip:

-I'll be gone 87 days

-I am going to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Although I have nothing beyond the first 3.5 weeks planned out, so my itinerary is wide open to change. 

The beginning:

     I have immense luck to be greeted by a familiar face in an ultra-unfamiliar city: Bangkok. Megan Arabian (!!!) who has been on her own global journey for a while now, is meeting me at Take a Nap Hostel in Bangkok!!. We're headed the next day to an island a couple hours outside of the city by bus. The island is Koh Samet. Look it up, it's tiny. We'll chill on the beach, catch some sun and surf. I'll desperately need to catch up on my tan next to the gal who's been in Australia for months. 

     After we depart (sadly) via bus or train I'm going North first to a temple outside of the city of Chiang Mai called Doi Suthep. Bangkok is Thailands biggest city: population 9 million people. Chiang Mai, the third biggest: population 250,000. Im doing a Meditation retreat there for seven days at Doi Suthep, a golden temple on a mountain side above the city. With the retreat I hope to become grounded in Thailand and incredibly present for the upcoming adventures. Once I'm all calm and zen Im going straight into one of the craziest parties in Thailand: Songkran. Thai New Years! In traditional ceremonies they bathe Buddha statues in holy water. On the streets, it's a three day water fight and in Chiang Mai where they celebrate it extra crazy, its a five day party. After the temple that will be different! But awesome! 

     After that, I do not know where my feet will take me. My plan now is to head into Laos and make my way from north to south, then cross into Cambodia and fly out of Bangkok to The Philippines. But we will see. I have a return ticket on June 21, which is probably a good thing.

Beach on Koh Samet

Buddha Statue at Doi Suthep

Temple at Doi Suthep

Almost

Testing 123

I'm deciding if I like this blog or tumblr better. Which should be my travel blog?

I have three and a half weeks before I leave. It's coming up fast. My last day at work will come fast. After that I must make a decisive list of what to do:

-buy medicine (melatonin, tums, advil, sleeping pills, tylenol, tampons!)
-copy passport
-get extra photos taken
-visas
-vaccinations*
-copy of proof of leaving
-buy pack and money belt
-hang out with grandma
-call grandpa

-stop by elena's grandma's

-hang out with friends
-santa cruz
-tahoe?
-say good bye
 :D

don't forget to start taking malaria meds!
That's all folks! Im surprisingly calm. I think it will all hit me in the airport, as per usual. And at that point I'm well in it.