A day in Bangkok

Slept last night, or this morning, then got up to go to the weekend market. Oh my.... bunnies in 5" x 5" cages, an Art Explorium with fantastic artists, plus all the expected. Then tried out the SkyTrain and got off at Nana, per J & V's recommendation.... and what did I stumble upon in the first instinctual "go straight, then take a left"???? but Popeye Dee's massage. I indulged in an hour foot massage, which included much more than feet, I might point out. Au actually gave me one of their shirts that they wear, so don't be surprised if you hear this name again. I saw the police raid some vendors, a group of kids beat up a single teenager, including a young girl beating him over the head with a bamboo musical instrument. I took a survey by some university students, tried to get to the river in time, but missed the last river taxi. So what? I goofed around along the river, now 8 pm at night, and ran smack dab into a graduation/orientation party for a University here, with band, lights in the trees, free food, etc. I started to back away, and a woman came and befriended me, invited me to join her as her friend at the party. Oh, how usual!!! She insisted I eat popcorn because "it is vegetarian"... and then ice cream with beans and "potato" on top, even though I insisted I didn't want it. She took me to sit with her friends to watch the band and the young girls in their fuzzy tutus, with giveaway prizes and announcements I didn't understand. I finally excused myself and tried to figure out the bus system to get to ... well, somewhere. I asked for Khao San Road, I asked for Wat Arun, Wat Pho, ... all I got was go to bus stop at 711 and take the 15 bus.. I thought it was an address and found out it was the Seven Eleven store! Of course, there is no 15 bus, so the police told me to get on #1.

I did, but got to Khao San Road too quickly, so I asked a taxi to take me to my guesthouse, which no one knows. But with the phone number, we drove about 45 minutes and voila, there is was. My broken suitcase had been returned, repaired, and I dumped my stuff and headed out to EAT.! I managed my first point and shoot meal, as Thane instructed: "No fish, no pork, no chicken" They acted like there was nothing left, but I pointed to my POINT IT book to the page with vegetables. I ended up with really spicy greens (my mother would hate them) and rice. I remembered to ask for rice! I'm not convinced there weren't little fishes in the greens, but I'm quite forgiving when I'm starving. As long as I could use chopsticks, I was happy.

Bangkok is incredibly fun. I could easily spend a month here (as V said)... with concerts and massages, and eating on the fly, and so many temples that take up several city blocks... look like fairy tales.

I think of all of you in so many ways during the day. But for now, I must pack and be ready to get the wake up call (Pound pound pound... illustrated by the mama at my guesthouse...) so I can make the bus to Mae Sot where Thane will be waiting!

Is this heaven?

I hope heaven is as easy to navigate as this....
Maggi