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Made it

If this United news has you a bit down about flying, then I've got an airline for you!

I had heard great things about Singapore Air, and was still pleasantly surprised. Extremely polite service, hot towels, drinks, three(!) meals and two hearty snacks on my journey. It was airplane food but still good stirfry, omelettes, shrimp, and more.

After some 24 hours, I landed in Bangkok a couple hours late due to rain in Singapore, picked up a local SIM card, and took the train into the city. Cheap, clean, and easy to use subway. They actually form queues and let riders get off before getting on. Big difference from my recent NYC subway rides!

On my first full day I spent hours getting lost among 8,000 stalls at Chatuchak Weekend Market, Thailand's largest. This place is amazing...they sell everything. Piles of tshirts, every kind of shoe, "authentic" Levis, Hawaiian shirts that were "Made in Hawaii USA," cowboy boots backed by a live bluegrass duo, a variety of artwork, knick knacks, gadgets, jewelry, furniture, toys....


And then the (mostly) alive animals: cats, puppies, mice and other assorted rodents, birds, chickens, exotic lizards, bugs (fried or alive), piglets, turtles, fish and other aquatic animals (to eat or to keep)...

And the food! After a hot pork and rice dish I cooled down with coconut ice cream with palm seeds and a fresh mango on the side. Total bill: maybe $3.


Down one row you'd smell wafts of incense, then of livestock, maybe some sewage, and the best smelling street food being cooked in front of your eyes.

Afterwards I wandered around nearby  Chatuchak Park, where I was approached by a couple young Thais-"I need your help," in broken English. From what I could understand, he needed to interview me for a class at University. So we proceeded to exchange limited English, slowly, recorded on his iPhone. A few minutes later, same thing from another group! Not sure how much was lost in translation, but I hope they get an 'A.'

I've been approached by strangers a few times here, but not once asking for money. Except those taxi/motorbike/tuk tuk drivers...."Halowww tuk tuk! Hey man-where you go?" People are friendly here.

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