It's good to be back in Thailand. It's more colorful in sights, smells, and people than Taiwan was- a little more like India without all the messes that that country entails.
I arrived a little after ten last night, semi-drunk from red wine and bailey's on the plane (not in the same glass!) and bumbled through immigration without the blink of an eyelash from the officer. After emerging into the airport in my altered state, I was having trouble reading the guidebook and finding the airport express bus to my guest house. Damn Rough Guides!
Finally exasperated, I asked an airport policeman, who promptly escorted me to the correct place, not without first trying to buy me a coffee and see if I wanted to go for a drink, "Tonight or tomorrow" night. I declined, but was furnished with not one, but TWO business cards. Gee, they sure mean it when they say, "Thailand is the land of smiles."
I slumped onto the bus and showed the driver where I was going. He said, "Why are you staying there? I really recommend you stay right off Kho San Road. It's where everything is. I'm serious!" He smiled largely, then walked back to his post.
I ended up talking to a German man across the aisle, Leo. He'd been to Thailand countless times and confirmed what the driver said. After talking a while, Leo offered to help me find a place (he was in the same boat). We were dropped off in Bangkok, along with an Aussie girl who also rode the bus with us and checked into P.S. Guesthouse just after midnight. I slept like a rock on my rock-hard bed.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Leaving Taiwan
Again, I'm in the airport killing time. Luckily someone has taken pity on us poor souls and installed free internet terminals that actually work.How much duty free shopping can a person do in one day, really? I find when you have one small bag, it's not very fulfilling. (However, one pair of my pants already has see-through patches and I've repaired one t-shirt and my swimming suit, so I'll have to break down and shop one of these days.)
A two-minute synopsis for you:
Taiwan is where...
You are greeted with "morning!" or "good morning!" regardless the time of day when entering a store.
About a third of the population wears face masks to protect against pollution and reduce disease spread.
They have the most extensive recycling sytem in a McDonald's that I've ever seen.
When you hear the ice cream man, it's actually the garbage truck!
The people are exceptionally friendly and genuinely want to help.
The center of the island is filled with mountains and hiking trails are abundant.
You can get food anytime of the day at one of their glorious night markets. (Just watch out for the "stinky tofu"- it is just as it sounds.)
The next journey begins when Carrie arrives in Bangkok in the wee hours of January 9th. I'll be waiting with bells on at the airport. For the new year, I'll continue spreading peace and gaining knowledge. I'll also clean up the skeletons in my closet and get home to see my loved ones.
A two-minute synopsis for you:
Taiwan is where...
You are greeted with "morning!" or "good morning!" regardless the time of day when entering a store.
About a third of the population wears face masks to protect against pollution and reduce disease spread.
They have the most extensive recycling sytem in a McDonald's that I've ever seen.
When you hear the ice cream man, it's actually the garbage truck!
The people are exceptionally friendly and genuinely want to help.
The center of the island is filled with mountains and hiking trails are abundant.
You can get food anytime of the day at one of their glorious night markets. (Just watch out for the "stinky tofu"- it is just as it sounds.)
The next journey begins when Carrie arrives in Bangkok in the wee hours of January 9th. I'll be waiting with bells on at the airport. For the new year, I'll continue spreading peace and gaining knowledge. I'll also clean up the skeletons in my closet and get home to see my loved ones.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Henry Miller: Life
"Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realise it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything... we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is golden for him who has the vision to realize it as such."
2009
It began with a running start, literally.
I woke up disoriented and looked at my watch. 8:23. Where was I supposed be? I wanted to keep sleeping. Didn't I set an alarm? I did- it was for 5:45, to catch the first bus to Taroko Gorge. But I slept through that alarm. I considered my options: sleep or get up.
I jumped (well, not really) out of bed. Luckily, I was pre-dressed for the day. I grabbed my old black backpack and sped away. I was out the door by 8:25, running (as fast as I could half-awake) all the way to the bus station. I boarded the bus at 8:40 and rode to the national park.
After that it was a walk in the park, literally, again(yes, this is just too much for me, too)! I walked from Tiansiang (a little town in the park) to the park entrance, taking in a few side sights and trails on my way. It was over 12 miles. I am now a little tired. Bed is tempting, but it's only 7:13- too early even for an old-moldy like me.
I met a nice girl, Sasha (from Taipei) on the bus ride home, who told me all sorts of good bits of information, including entertainment options for tonight. So I'm off to the continuation of the 2009 celebration at a local winery.
Cheers to you all! Happy New Year.
I woke up disoriented and looked at my watch. 8:23. Where was I supposed be? I wanted to keep sleeping. Didn't I set an alarm? I did- it was for 5:45, to catch the first bus to Taroko Gorge. But I slept through that alarm. I considered my options: sleep or get up.
I jumped (well, not really) out of bed. Luckily, I was pre-dressed for the day. I grabbed my old black backpack and sped away. I was out the door by 8:25, running (as fast as I could half-awake) all the way to the bus station. I boarded the bus at 8:40 and rode to the national park.
After that it was a walk in the park, literally, again(yes, this is just too much for me, too)! I walked from Tiansiang (a little town in the park) to the park entrance, taking in a few side sights and trails on my way. It was over 12 miles. I am now a little tired. Bed is tempting, but it's only 7:13- too early even for an old-moldy like me.
I met a nice girl, Sasha (from Taipei) on the bus ride home, who told me all sorts of good bits of information, including entertainment options for tonight. So I'm off to the continuation of the 2009 celebration at a local winery.
Cheers to you all! Happy New Year.
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