Bangkok, Thailand - November 30, 2003
Just arrived back to Bangkok. It was just about exactly seven years ago since I've been here. This time around I have a friend who is going to introduce me to the Sukhimvit area rather than the Ko Sahn Road area (which I stayed at and didn't like seven years ago). We've already reserved a room for me at 550 baht a night (about $12-13).
My flight was a late night one last night. Bangkok seems to have either drastically improved, or I've been to so many other places since seven years ago, that comparitively to others, its much better than I had thought the other time here.
I should take a moment and reflect on the various memories of my experience seven years ago. First off, I recall it being extremely dirty. I recall thick dust and dirt and grime on my teeth from walking around this city. I also recall that I could not get away from backpackers under any circumstances whatsoever. I stayed in Ko Sahn Road (backpacker central - cheapest location), and I booked tickets to Chiang Mai as well as Ko Samui, and was once again stuck with yet all backpackers once again.
Also comparing past experiences, the last time I came in 1996, I definetely had the experience of exiting the airport to have a very official looking guy tell me that all of Bangkok is completely flooded, but fortunately there was a nearby hotel at a very good price available and I should seriously consider that until after the flooding has went away. I had read about various scams and ignored him, joined some other backpackers and ended up right down where the flooding supposedly was happening, only to find that there was no flooding. Also, my first experience in a taxi cab was to be in a taxi with a Scandinavian woman yelling 'meter meter meter' at a taxi driver to have a brief argument, ultimately the guy trying to pull her out of the cab, and ultimately changed his mind to bring us to our desired destination. This time none of that stuff occurred.
This time, I very pleasantly left the airport and stood in line for a taxi. I bought the price before we went without a meter, for 300 baht, the going-rate as I had researched from local Thais and other travelers beforehand online. The taxi driver did exactly that and brought me exactly where I wanted to go without any problem whatsoever. It was quite easy and painless and without the drama of the previous time completely. Just as an aside, one cool thing about Bangkok is the traffic lights. Instead of just the standard green and red of traffic lights, they are actually timed at 30 seconds and give you the countdown. So you know that in exactly 12 seconds or whatever it will be changing to the other color, and you know what to do then. That was interesting.
Arriving in Sukhimvit last night was interesting. Lots of people all over the streets, and definetely a neon look to it. My friend met me at the hotel and I was in my room without any problem whatsoever. Around 1am, we had a late night dinner on the streets. There were people everywhere, and it had a circus feel to it. Its good to be in Bangkok!
Next Journal Entry in Korea:
December 1, 2003
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Wintermoon2@yahoo.com