My Fellow Americans...
Posted by Shady Mon, 28 May 2007 03:33:00 GMT
We have been royally gypped when it comes to chip flavors. Read more...
Pattaya
Posted by Shady Sat, 26 May 2007 08:54:00 GMT
Went to pattaya for a night before leaving for Koh Samed this weekend. Pattaya is what most people who tell you about Thailand are talking about when they tell you about Thailand. Most of Thailand isn't like that at al, but Pattaya and Phuket pretty much give the rest of the country a somewhat questionable reputation. It's loud, kind of skeezy, and is the nexus point for every single Creepy Old Guy in the known universe.
Truth be told, not all of Pattaya is like that. When you come in from Bangkok, it looks more or less like any other place in Thailand. As you get closer to Pattaya City proper, however, you notice an increase in three things:
- Neon Lights
- Foreigners (seriously, they're so common I didn't get stared at a single time here
- Questionably dressed females
The walking street is filled with foreign tourists going bar hopping, to come visit their particular go-go bar, and hundreds of Creepy Old Guys walking around with women who were, at best, old enough to be their daughters. In several cases, granddaughters was far more likely. Even the younger tourists have this kind of sleazy aura about them.
Each bar seems to have it's own house band composed of either 1)expats living the dream of being in a rock band (and sucking) or 2)Thais doing covers of english songs (and sucking). At one of the bars I visited with my friends, I had the privilege of witnessing a very white, very jewish expat living his own personal dream (apparently) of being a rapper. Yes, he rapped live with a backup band, and his partner for some duets was a real, live ladyboy. It was the sort of thing you read about in travel guides (or some tools blog) and wonder if it really happens.
On the whole, I really didn't care much for Pattaya. It was loud, expensive, and there were way too many Creepy Old Guys and Hos. The shopping isn't so bad, but everything else can take a running jump. I much preferred Koh Samet, Ayutthaya, and pretty much anywhere else I've seen to Pattaya.
First Impressions of Bangkok
Posted by Shady Mon, 14 May 2007 05:38:00 GMT
It's hot. Really hot. I got off the plane at 11:30 PM and walked into 94 degrees of heat plus pretty high humidity. This is going to take some getting used to.
If you're staying or going anywhere off the beaten path, prepare to be stared at. By everyone. I know it's nothing bad or what have you, but it's quite unnerving to have whole groups of families or other people staring at you. And not the polite staring, were they look away when you look at them staring either. Oh no. The full on holy-crap-what-the-hell-is-that type of staring. I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually.
Wats (temples) are everywhere here. Taking the bus from my apartment to KU university, I pass no less then 4 wats. It looks like every district and subdistrict has there own, not to mention various types all around for no particular reason. It's interesting to say the least. Even the non-touristy ones are amazing inside, with gold and decorations that are simply astounding.
Did I mention it's hot?
Hired transit options are abundant, far beyond simple buses (which come in two types, by the way air conditioned and non). Motorcycle taxis are available at pretty much every street corner, and those guys are absolutely insane. Weaving in and out of traffic (with passengers!) and squeezing between trucks on the streets. The infamous tuk tuk is also available, as are taxi-vans, the skytrain, water taxis, and hired vans for day trips. These are much different then any normal van you're used to. Pimp my ride has nothing on these guys. Fully reclining 9 seats, entertainment system (with karaoke... ugh) climate control, and gps. For a couple thousand baht, they take you pretty much all over Thailand. It's awesome.
Thai bathrooms are strange. Not if you've ever used any bathrooms in the rest of asia, but if you're not used to them, it's a culture shock. And in a country where the temperature never drops belwo 80 degrees, it's tough to find a hot shower if you are not staying in a hotel. Since I'm not staying in a hotel, I've gotten used to cold showers. I still havent gotten used to the whole bathrrom being the shower, however.
That's all for now, I'm going to try to filter through the more then 100 (yes, really) pictures I've taken so far and put them up in the gallery. I'll post some links here when I do.
Hi Ho Hi Ho
Posted by Shady Tue, 08 May 2007 01:50:00 GMT
It's off to... Thailand I go. Incidentally, Hi Ho is NOT what I will be saying to most of the girls there :P
In jfk now, flight leaves at 8 am. 24 Hours of flying, yikes.
I'll be posting here as the flight goes by, and putting up some nice pictures in the gallery.
Keep in touch, all 2 readers!