Fun Stuff

Hello anyone!

I'm pretty sure I can say with good conscience that the last two days have been very exhausting. Although things are starting to clear up here in Bangkok, everything is still so overwhelming. The culture, the people, the controlled chaos that seems to envelop this city and the diversity in everything this city has to offer.

Here's a few things from the past days.

Once I left the hotel I took a taxi to a place that rents apartments called 'Littlesky 71' that's pretty nearby to the university. When I arrived, some guy who spoke no english told me that I can't come here, it's a place for students. Then I said I wanted a room, he said it's a place for Thai students. Well it was a misunderstanding, not racism. After waiting around for a good 30 minutes someone who spoke english came by. He was a really nice dude and we checked out the rooms, then the contract and the rooms again. I was almost like 'cool this can't be too bad' when the realization that the rooms were really spartan and the building had no facilities at all. Even the neighborhood was pretty empty.

Then I pulled out said sorry and left. Don't get me wrong, it would be a nice place if you're really hardcore and actually want to experience the authentic Thai student life. They even rent scooters for 15 baht. But I wanted a bit more.

So next up, I called Pattra, the landlady at Mainam Villa and she was adorable. She told me they have rooms and that I could come right up to see them. Mainam Villa has a nice 10% discount for KU students too. I didn't have my KU papers with me since I left them at home, but Pattra said it would be fine if I produce them later when my school starts. Mainam Villa is located in a Thai residence area too, but it has good stuff nearby and they have a pool and a little communal kitchen, where you can buy instant noodels and snacks if you don't wanna go out. There's a buzzling outdoor market nearby selling foodstuffs, clothes, random things.. There's also two 7/11's within a very short walking distance and the area is buzzling with either outdoor street kitchens or let's say mid-level places. I've seen some nicer looking places here too, which probably cater to the people living in this walled city-mansions, there's a few of those nearby.

Well, after settling down here and deciding this'll be the place, at least for some months, I slept a good night's sleep and went out to see some of Bangkok all freshened up. From Mainam Villa you really have to take a taxi to the nearest BTS or Metro station, it's around 60-70 baht and that's not too bad. There's also buses but I haven't really looked into that yet, Google Maps actually does have the bangkok buslines and timetables mapped out and it's really simple to just use their route generator and then going for an adventure.

My adventure was the BTS for today. I bought a SmartPass which is basically a prepaid ticket, so you don't always have to fiddle with coins and tickets. It took me to National Stadium stop, from where I went to have a glance at the Jim Thompson gallery/garden/museum. I'm not big on that stuff though, even though I'm sure it's very fruitful for anyone who's interested, so I walked down to the riverside and hiked it up a klick or two. Just out of interest, I took the boat bus back and found myself lost again.

Bangkok is an amazing place all in all and getting lost is by no means negative, it gives you a wider perspective and that feel of adventure, especially when you're flying solo like myself. Not to mention all those little hidden places you will never find with a map or a guidebook. That random kitchen in the middle of nowhere with just granny and grandpa around might just be the best, tastiest chicken you ever had the pleasure of putting in your mouth.

PS. put up some photos at My Gallery