Yo,

I had the pleasure of sleeping with strangers last night on a bus to Bangkok, numerous strangers. It was mental, let your imagination run wild…. Foreigners, thai men, thai women… Ok you’re done? Good. Picture a bus crammed to the ceiling and everyone passed out. Sorry for the let down. I was in the back, I have a video there was so many people on the bus it was almost laughable.

Yesterday, I realized I need maps, did that whole medical thing and got back to Nonghkai. Turns out Udon Thani is on the way to Bangkok, who knew? So basically I go to Udon then back then back again. I spent like 16 hours on a bus yesterday. Get back to Nongkhai and realize the bus to Bangkok leaves in 15 minutes… Hustle for a tuk tuk, say goodbye to my monk friends after packing like a rabid dog or just a total psycho and make it back as they are pulling away.

The bus was OK but long as anything ~13 hours, not bad for ~$12 though and there is never anyone waiting for me at any particular location so what’s the rush? I used to stress over 5 hour flights from Van City to Ottawa, never again. Also met a cool guy from South Korea on the bus. The driver has the SAME white-t I do, from tesco lotus. We were “team tesco” and it was good as the bus almost left but he came and got me while I was gorging on a few skewers.  I am getting all my laundry done, I told the lady if some are too dirty, just throw them out. Ahhh I love tesco.

Arrive into Bangkok at 5am, split a cab with the French people and the Korean guy to yes, you got it… Khao San. Get there and I show the Korean guy around and where to get tickets to Koh Tao. Then as I’m leaving I hear “Hey (Insert another name of mine here)” I’m like “NO WAY” and it’s some Americans living in China I met in Laos. Man, it’s a SMALL world. In Vang Vieng, I met some guys I partied with in Bali.

(This is where I’d normally say I d… but I won’t).

It’s weird how in Asia you can travel for 13 hours for $12 but a 15 minute cab or tuk tuk will cost you 2-3$. In the spirit of whoever I am I said, screw that. Time is money, luckily I have both but I have so much time it’s nuts. I took a local bus at 7am to MBK mall, then catch a sky train. Whole trip cost me 37 baht, ha. I then eat an omelet and orange juice from the street for 35 baht.

I’m visiting my friend Gary and he’s off Sukhumvit or something spelled like that. MUCH nicer part of Bangkok. When I hit Khao San, my first thoughts were “wow, what a dump, get me outta here!” then I saw a dread lock hippy tattoo covered squeegee kid. Anyways I couldn’t find a place in this new part of town…

I’m sitting on a curb, totally tired, disgusting, unshaven in a sweat drenched white-t shirt and soiled khaki shorts. I’m like wow, what am I going to do? Suddenly out of NOWHERE this guy comes by and says “What’s up Dude” and it’s this guy from the USA. I’m like nothing man, I just pulled an all nighter, I don’t know where to go get a room. He’s like it’s $$$ around here, around the corner you can get a good deal like half price but still dope. I thank him and hit the road. You gotta trust the process, much like I showed that Korean guy the ropes (first time in Bangkok) and the bus station at 5am is absolutely absurd (yes I have videos). You gotta just go and all the blanks fill in as you get to them (that’s the monk in me talking).

Find this nice place, $22US a night with A/C, private hot shower, free wifi and even this massive Koi pond, awesome.

Now I’m chilling with Gary at some Irish pub drinking endless Coke’s and talking net stuff while zoning in and out of my screen. I’m going to sleep at some point but all this coke is keeping me hard wired.

It’s good to be back in Bangkok, again, for the first time. Bangkok is huge and I’m in a totally new area. For $500US-1K a month, I can get an absolutely SICK pad. I’d go near the $500US unless I had a friend to split simply because I don’t care about most things most people do. I need good wifi, safety, a hot shower is nice and close proximity to a plethora of street food. That’s it people,that’s all I need.

Either way, I could see myself living in Bangkok, long term.