Time to leave Bangkok... but to where?
October 24th 2009 04:28
:
Savouring the whimsy that brought me here
Category: No Category
In Thailand's capital, no street is too small to be crammed with commerce. Which is great if you are determined to shop yourself silly, but I'm more interested in seeing places I've never seen before and discovering interesting new cultural quirks and the creative texts they have been responsible for.
So I'm determined to get out as soon as possible, but I'm not completely sure which direction to go to. I could make my way towards any of the following:
a) Nong Khai.
Home to a surreal sculpture park and with its own backpacker scene, this small town near the Lao border sounds like it would be fun to visit, especially because it's a bit far away from everything else in Thailand.
b) Lop buri
Roughly mid-way between Bkk and Chiang Mai, this town has an interesting history, and cheeky monkeys. I'd stay a day or two then continue northwards to CM, then up to Pai from there. Pai sounds like somewhere I could really like.
c) Yangon
Meeting Brian Dunne has made me curious about this place like never before. Then again, last time I went to China I got paranoid that people were following me (it didn't help that I had written some pieces in support of a democracy there), and I want to minimise any exposure to trouble as much as possible.
d) Kolkata
India, India... I long to visit, but Kolkata is a less than ideal entry point and the trip to Darjeeling is long. Besides, my parents would kill me if they found out I had gone there.
---
Amazed
I'm so amazed at the blast of good-will and positivity I've generated within myself over the last few days... I feel like I am being more creative in my relationships, more frenziedly composed, and like I'm repeating myself less and less.
I keep looking for new forms of expression to try out, and I feel guilty that I haven't memorised more Thai phrases than 'Hello' - the tonal aspect of the language is a bit off-putting to me, but that could be because I'm clinging to old prejudices which were formulated around the time I started trying to learn Chinese.
I'm also amazed at my boyfriend Bjorn, who I fall deeper in love with every day. He communicates in a way that inspires me to purify my soul and accept only the best kinds of mental technology. The only problem is that it's a long-distance relationship, and it may be that way for some months, until we meet.
---
Well, I've decided to rock up at the local intercity bus station and catch a bus to Lopburi. If that doesn't work out, I'll alight upon the trains.
Perhaps next time I write to you, dear readers, I'll be walking around in a completely new environment, immersing myself in new textures, smells and sights. (Yesterday I had a lychee and beetroot yoghurt drink, followed by some delicious sushi which was presented on flat trays. For breakfast I had a traditional Thai tofu soup with meatballs, fried rice with chicken and egg, and a bit of an omelette stuffed with meat and vegetables.
Exchanging glances with the locals in Bangkok is a fun activity. People tend to notice me as I will often be the only foreigner (farang) around, and people smile at me as we exchange non-verbal information.
I'm wearing my green Barcelona shirt today and grey-lilac pants. I haven't bothered with my sunscreen or mosquito repellent, which is not a good idea, but somehow I don't feel very threatened by either the sun or the Thai insects.
So I'm determined to get out as soon as possible, but I'm not completely sure which direction to go to. I could make my way towards any of the following:
a) Nong Khai.
Home to a surreal sculpture park and with its own backpacker scene, this small town near the Lao border sounds like it would be fun to visit, especially because it's a bit far away from everything else in Thailand.
b) Lop buri
Roughly mid-way between Bkk and Chiang Mai, this town has an interesting history, and cheeky monkeys. I'd stay a day or two then continue northwards to CM, then up to Pai from there. Pai sounds like somewhere I could really like.
c) Yangon
Meeting Brian Dunne has made me curious about this place like never before. Then again, last time I went to China I got paranoid that people were following me (it didn't help that I had written some pieces in support of a democracy there), and I want to minimise any exposure to trouble as much as possible.
d) Kolkata
India, India... I long to visit, but Kolkata is a less than ideal entry point and the trip to Darjeeling is long. Besides, my parents would kill me if they found out I had gone there.
---
Amazed
I'm so amazed at the blast of good-will and positivity I've generated within myself over the last few days... I feel like I am being more creative in my relationships, more frenziedly composed, and like I'm repeating myself less and less.
I keep looking for new forms of expression to try out, and I feel guilty that I haven't memorised more Thai phrases than 'Hello' - the tonal aspect of the language is a bit off-putting to me, but that could be because I'm clinging to old prejudices which were formulated around the time I started trying to learn Chinese.
I'm also amazed at my boyfriend Bjorn, who I fall deeper in love with every day. He communicates in a way that inspires me to purify my soul and accept only the best kinds of mental technology. The only problem is that it's a long-distance relationship, and it may be that way for some months, until we meet.
---
Well, I've decided to rock up at the local intercity bus station and catch a bus to Lopburi. If that doesn't work out, I'll alight upon the trains.
Perhaps next time I write to you, dear readers, I'll be walking around in a completely new environment, immersing myself in new textures, smells and sights. (Yesterday I had a lychee and beetroot yoghurt drink, followed by some delicious sushi which was presented on flat trays. For breakfast I had a traditional Thai tofu soup with meatballs, fried rice with chicken and egg, and a bit of an omelette stuffed with meat and vegetables.
Exchanging glances with the locals in Bangkok is a fun activity. People tend to notice me as I will often be the only foreigner (farang) around, and people smile at me as we exchange non-verbal information.
I'm wearing my green Barcelona shirt today and grey-lilac pants. I haven't bothered with my sunscreen or mosquito repellent, which is not a good idea, but somehow I don't feel very threatened by either the sun or the Thai insects.
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Comment by AmyHuang
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures
Great to hear the tales. Keep travelling!
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Thanks for your advice; I decided to go to Lopburi, Chiang Mai, Pai, catch a flight from Chiang Mai to Manadalay in Myanmar, work my way down to Yangon through Bagan, and then I might consider doing India... but only if I have a fellow traveller in tow!
My parents have promised I can go to Scandinavia next winter if I 'behave' myself on this trip, so I am torn... I don't want to do anything to stuff that up, but my natural instinct is to explore as much as possible. We'll see.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
I plan to avoid informing of them of going to India for as long as possible (I decided to make tracks back to Bangkok and fly from there to Kolkata or Delhi), but they will either find out when we talk on the phone and there is a different two letter country code preceding my number, or when they ask to see my photos... Hopefully I can just email them and then they won't know until I've left, although I do want to be in India for a while... Fingers crossed for the best!
Btw, I think you would really enjoy reading this.