R and I have been hauling our butts through the crazy streets of Bangkok for four days now…we’ve been having a blast.  Bangkok is actually the easiest place I’ve traveled in 3 years.  I keep thinking back to India, Mongolia, Russia, Eastern Europe, and China and can’t help but think ‘Wow this is a total breeze!’

Despite Bangkok’s business…the super chill Thai-ness makes everything doable.  So does the quick and easy public transportation system here.

We saw some beautiful, old Buddist statues and monuments outside B-kok today.  Oh! And we saw Muay Thai kickboxing a few days ago—really, really cool–and not too bloody.  We sat ringside!!!  Rav loved it.  Been eating some to die for Thai food (I continue on my quest to find the best Pad Thai around…)

Went to a really sweet, chill park (Lumpinhi) where I swear to god we saw a Komoto Dragon.  Ok it was probably only like 4-5 feet long lizard but it seemed HUGE!  At first R wanted to rent a paddle boat but when he saw that thing he changed his mind.  The park also had this totally ghetto fabulous “Worlds Gym” type of thing with trees and grass growing all over it—it was all exercise equipment circa 1962.  Rusty and spectacular.  It was a literal jungle gym and some buff Thais were workin’ on their fitness in there!  Also saw a couple of Thai guys playing a board game chillin’ in the park, too. 

We had an exciting adventure at this huge shopping mall called the Emporium…because…I forgot my glasses.  Yep.  Something I NEVER do on big trips, but I did so all I had on the 24 HOUR COMMUTE to Bangkok were my contacts.  It got painful… anyway… I picked out some sassy CK purple and blue glasses and had lenses put in within a day.  My argument to R was: if I really go through with this doctoral program I’m going to need lots of pairs of funky glasses!!!  They cost about the same as they would have in the states with my insurance.

So yeah, I dig Bangkok.  It’s easy traveling–hot as hell though.  The monsoon rains help cool things down but our $5/night hostel room fan is not so forgiving.  We also finalized the rest of our travels.  Those include: Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Bali.   

Basically R and I have been reveling in all this time together.  After a few Singah beers yesterday I couldn’t resist giving him a smooch on the street.  A Thai lady saw us and exclaimed, “In love!”  I of course said “Yes!” to which she replied, “Cool!”  This afternoon we laid around after a hot day of picture taking at old Thai architecture sites and giggled like high schoolers for like 2 hours.  Actually we’ve done that practically every day.  It’s a nice deal :) .

By the way R can’t tell a Ladyboy to save his life.  Ladyboys are men who dress up as women or really have a sex change to look like women…all over.  There are quite a few here in Thailand and work in a number of different areas: the makeup counter at the Emporium, dancing, sex work.  Many are actually quite striking women and I found a few checking out R.  R’s response to this is the same as it is with anatomical women: total cluelessness. 

Headed to Chang Mai (still Thailand) tomorrow…will hopefully see lots of nature and do some trekking.  R is considering taking Muay Thai kick boxing lessons. 

And…I kinda like having a familiar travel partner…it’s nice and makes things easier.  R has noted I’m kind of a travel snob and like to run the show in this arena…but we are doing just fine (wonderful in fact) and I’m sure now we will figure out any bumps in the road.  I knew everything would be ok!!!  I just have this weird thing about whenever I’m happy I feel like something bad will happen!  I hate that!  Nothing to feel bad about these days though, all is very well in my world.