lao-ocean-girl

After a one hour layover in Taipei, I arrived last night in Bangkok around 11pm.  An hour later, I had cleared the long line at customs and hoped that I hadn’t miss the last bus out of the airport.  Fortunately, the airport bus runs from 5:30 am to 12:30 am, and I was able to leave the airport at midnight for the cheap price of 100 baht ($2.70 USD). 

Before arriving in Bangkok, I tried to book a room at the Sawasdee Khaosan Inn, because I knew the airport bus stops directly in front of the hotel.  After sending two emails, I never received a reply back.  I resigned myself to that fact that if they didn’t have my reservation, I’d just walk around and look for a place at one in the morning.  No big deal, it’s Khaosan.  Somebody’s always up.  At 12:45, I walked into the hotel and told the girl in English that I think I had a reservation.  She asked me what my name was, and I told her, but in the proper Thai/Lao accent.  "Oh, that sounds like a Thai name."  "I know, I’m khon Lao."  (Laotian.)  "Can you speak Lao?"  "Yes."  From there, the whole conversation was in Lao and I felt a little awkward trying to remember my rusty Lao, since I hadn’t used it constantly in over a year.

The comradery of an almost common language had its advantages.  She didn’t even look at any computer, but proceeded to ask me what room I had booked and started checking me in.  (Right before I left Korea, I had called the hotel to confirm my reservation, but the person told me all rooms were fully booked and hung up on me.)  The pretty, petite girl then asked if I was by myself (yes), and said a tour group of 40 Laotians had just come in this morning.  I was having small talk with a Thai(!),  so I guess I wasn’t that rusty.

This morning, I had the free breakfast buffet around 8:30.  Just some advice, go there early, because you could tell the omelets had been there since the buffet had started at 6:30 am.  I ventured for it anyway.

I then walked around Khaosan a bit while the vendors were setting up their stalls.  The street seemed almost peaceful.  Later tonight, it will be teaming with freaks, geeks, hippies, Euro trash, families, Thai teenagers, lady boys, police, and the rest of the gawkers.  I have a love/hate relationship with Khaosan, since this is my 5th time in Thailand.  The street is practically visual diarrhea and makes you feel a little dirty just for being there.  At the same time, there are so many travel agencies, PC rooms, cheap places to eat, and a plethora of information for people passing through.

Upon the recommendation of Reardon, I decided to try out a new area and am now at Reno Hotel near MBK.  I’m staying here for only a couple days because those were the only availabe days with rooms, then head back to Khaosan and wait for Raswan to arrive later this week.