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.