Bangkok

A different country, a different city, different people and different customs.

I arrived in Thailand - a familiar place , my comfort zone. I know this place well enough not even needing a guide book anymore. However, this time I am NOT staying anywhere near Khao San Road - what a surprise isnt it. I am staying at a brand new hostel just off Silom Road - or 5 minutes from Patpong night market.

People are (as per usual) very friendly. They are different from Chinese. Chinese are also friendly, but Thai people are more laid back and easy going. Its very easy to get a smile out of them. And they are more used to foreigners here, which of course can also be a problem as there are way more touts out here. In general, I feel very comfortable when surrounded by Thai people. Its the change I was looking for - 5 weeks in China had been enough though I havent seen everything yet.

I spent the last week in places like Shenzhen and Hong Kong, which have no cultural assets whatsoever. Bangkok with its stupas, temples and markets seems like a heaven compared to it.



The food is another thing. I got really tired of Chinese food, especially of the smell that is so ubiquitous. So a change was more than due. Time for some Thai curry I suppose. Today I treated myself to a very very spicy (but tasty) red curry containing fruits and vegetables. I would call it the best thai curry I have ever had. I suppose its the day of superlatives as prior to that I had the best massage ever - a full body thai massage. Life should continue in that manner.