Bangkok, round ✌️

**forewarning, there are a lot of photos woven in this post. You’ll have to do some heavy scrolling.

At the end of January I left Laos on an overnight bus to Bangkok. It was about a 20 hour journey in a reclining seat (cheaper than a sleeper bus) but I was surprisingly well rested when I arrived in Bangkok at 5:30am. It was felt good to be back in Thailand. Having traveled there for the month of December, the country is familiar, and any sense of familiarity while traveling makes my heart feel more at home. The first thing I did was get a toasty (a heavily processed ham and cheese toasted sandwich) from 7/11. They are a mouthwatering stomachache.

I used my week in Bangkok to experience the city properly. The last time I was there I had just arrived in Asia. At that point I was still adjusting and shedding my timidity and anxiety. I had stayed in the same part of town (Khaosan Road) for the entirety of my 3 days in Bangkok. This time I gave myself just 2 days in Khaosan, mainly to spend time with a Filipino friend, Zeus, who I’d met in Vang Vieng, Laos. Seeing him was like reuniting with family. He and I vibe so well it’s like we can read each other’s minds. While staying in that part of town I saw the Grand Palace, which has an absurdly expensive 500 baht entrance fee but I felt a need to witness that significant tourist site because I’d missed it before. Maybe not worth the price but worth satisfying my curiosity. After 2 nights of binging on Pad Thai and rum & cokes, getting to know the randoms that wandered through our alley, and brunch with other Vang Vieng veterans (2 of which happen to be from Oregon!), Zeus and I spent our last afternoon together sitting outside of DPM Hostel piercing our friends ears. He pierced my tragus with a safety pin. There’s no one I’d trust more to do the job, and now I have a precious reminder of this soul friend.

After saying goodbye to Zeus ‘n co. I moved to lumphini district. Highlights include:

Taking the train for a day trip to Ayutthaya. I biked around and saw the temple ruins. Although it’s a touristy spot, this is a UNESCO site and the spectacular structures are one of a kind. While riding my bike (which happened to be one of my lucky numbers, 24), I approached an elephant head on that was walking in the bike lane. I stopped, we made eye contact as it turned the corner, and it reach it’s trunk out to me. That’s when I noticed the tourists riding on it’s back and the chains around it’s neck. It was returning to the elephant riding camp I’d rushed past. After my experience at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, this was such a sad sight and I wish there was something I could do to help him/her.

Did an art gallery walk (twice). Got free beer at almost every gallery 👏🏽

Got a pedicure, and a haircut. #treatyoself

Went to Havana Social (a secret Cuban night club where you have to punch the code “1940” into a phone booth to enter)

Walked around lumphini park (the Central Park of Bangkok). They have a full weight lifting set up free to the public! Didn’t use it but probably should have, I’m getting as soft as all the rice I’ve been consuming. The photos only show the bodyweight lifting set up, not the full out gym, and the street next to the park. I must have been too entranced (or focused on finding food) to capture photos of the greenery and pond.

Went to the night train market

Went shopping and stumbled across a pop up concert at the mall

Saw one of my favorite funk DJ duos (Chromeo). This was my first time going to a show solo and I stayed in the front row the whole time. Dave, one of the DJs kept making eye contact with me throughout the set and pointed at me during “Sexy Socialite” …my ego exploded for a minute. Got a picture with him after. Then I returned safely to earth. Wore my mock Birkenstock’s until they almost broke in half. They were new when I arrived in Asia. For me, that’s one of the most satisfying feelings to wear your shoes to the ground. I finally threw them away.

Chilled on the rooftop of my hostel a LOT.

On my last day I reunited with another friend I’d made while in Vang Vieng, Laos. Had an IPA (first one in Asia, holy moly I miss the Oregon brews) and played an epic game of Jenga.

This week the pollution in Bangkok was so bad people were leaving town. There were articles stating that people were coughing up blood. I developed a nasty cough (no blood thankfully) and started wearing a face mask.

On the downside, I had all of my cash stolen during this week. Something like $1000. I’m not sure where but I think in my hostel room. I don’t like making assumptions but I have a strong feeling it was the guy strung out on meth who asked me for money while I was in the shower, then returned to say he’d solved his problem. You live and you learn. It was a major reality check to always lock my valuables. No matter how comfortable I feel I still need to be careful.

OVERALL…Bangkok round 2 changed my feelings toward the city. Khaosan road is away from the main public transit lines, so getting out of the isolated area and exploring the different districts brought me the satisfaction I was seeking. I can now appreciate the beautiful chaos of this city that I once found overwhelming.