the second post of the day

alright! i decided to buy another 30min online. Its only 20B/hour.

The journey to Senai airport is not as easy as it sounds. Don't believe what they say on the website.. It's troublesome and tiring (unless, of course, you take a cab..) and I underestimated the time needed to get there (yes, edith, you can gloat) and barely made it to check in. And air asia seats are quite cramped. OK for asian girls, but must have been hell for the men and the farangs. When they say 'now everyone can fly'? They're right. From market-sounding aunties to middle-aged business type uncles to families with kids to the disabled to young couples to ang-moh backpackers. And even the malaysian flies join in. It's a free seating flight, so it'll be good to be kiasu for once and rush to the gate the moment it opens. I sort of walked to it instead (but at least i didn't sit and wait it out the way i usu do) and got a window seat, but at the back near the toilet and kitchen. So i alternately got smells from the toilet and whiffs from the kitchen...

The flight proper was nice though. Does air asia fly lower than major airlines? Land looked nearer. I love the way the land and/or the sea blends into the sky. Its as though earth and sky were on the same plane, and if i sail far enough into the distance, I can reach the land of the clouds...

Bangkok traffic is not as bad as i had thought it would be, but i would try to avoid using the roads when i get back. The river and mrt and my own two feet are probably better ways to get around. I had a hell of a time trying to meet JL at the wild orchid inn. Its not listed in my guidebook cos its not exactly low low budget and its deep in and off a side road off the main road... very nicely done place though.. Spent most of the night in the area eating and shopping. I'm eyeing many things already...

Khao Sarn Road... I guess i sort of like the buzz and energy.... BUT I'm not comfortable with it. The drunkedness and apparently utter disrespect for local culture. The supremacy of the ang-moh and his pre-conceived ecpectations. It's the same as any backpackers ghetto anywhere, and I don't like it. It must be admitted, however, that it's easier for me to stay there. More comfortable, safer in a way, because of the sheer number of people and the lack of expectations of you.

I wonder if people who come to thailand and just stay on khaosan and follow their lonely planet think they've seen thailand. They may have seen about as much of it as the people. they aren't very friendly and don't look like they're interested in talking to anyone besides other whites. They certainly aren't interested in talking to me... They're probably just as bad as those who come and stay in 5 star hotels and sit in an AC tour bus all the way. I'm sure there arev lots of people who are not like that, but its hard to tell from what i saw last night.. And scarily, i fear i may be like that too... but i'm trying.. really...

I wrote a lot more in my journal, but i guess i wrote it all out already. Not much steam left..

now back to room to nua a while, then walk to night market for dinner.. and I think i've just spent my first ayutheya sunset in an internet shop.. but weather was not good anyway. Cloudy and they were buring things near the wat so lots of smoke..