After a few baggage
issues in Singapore I was on the home stretch. My new pal Glenn and I arrived
at Bangkok airport and worked through the crowds at immigration. I have heard
many stories about walking off a plane and having the heat hit you like you
just walked into an oven but this was my first time experiencing it. And hot it
was!!!! By the time we had found a taxi I was sticky from sweat and
contemplating a wardrobe change on the road side.
After an hour ride
into the city we got dropped at Kho San Road to find our interesting new home. Here
we lived in the rather luxurious roof top pool and experienced amazing Thai
massages, I tried my hand at bartering ( which, by the way, I am USELESS at!
Even if I get a deal I feel too bad to take it) and ate far too much.
All in all Bangkok was
much better then I thought it would be. I had had many warnings about the
smelly streets, begging people and over all chaos but these aspects only
reminded me of my time in New York. It even made me miss the place a little bit
more.
It was then time for
my next venture- to leave the nesting arms of my darling Glenn who had stepped
in to save me over the last two days, and get to Pai where I would meet up with
my friend Kelly from home. Kel had been living in Pai last year and arrived
back there a few months ago. (Quite an inspirational wee thing she is and my
time with her in Pai is proving this quality more and more every day.)
Unfortunately the
train that left before mine had fallen off the rails (comforting) so our train
would be delayed for 4 hours. Thank god we had air con and I had a sleeper
cabin as it ended up been an 18 hour trip! And that only lead me to chang mai!
From there I got a 12 seater mini van with 16 other people for the last three
hours through the mountains. This trip started to fulfil my predicted visions
of how Thailand would be. Rows and rows of rice fields extended out in front of
us, straw farmers shacks lined up in the distance before the thick of the
jungle started to enclose us. The
views of the rolling blue mountains were beautiful and gave off a peaceful
sense of freedom. We shot through the tiny villages passing skinny dogs,
scruffy children and women who looked as if they were carrying their lives on
their heads in baskets.
Arriving in Pai was
like coming home. I know that sounds so cheesey but it really did feel like
that. Like an Asian version of Hahei a place I have so much love for and so
much security from. The night markets line the streets and the beautiful warm
people of the village all nod and smile at you as you pass. The blue mountains
look down on you from each angle and everyone who lives here are friends.
Kelly came to pick me
up from the bus station in true Pai style. She rolled up on her motorbike with
her wavey blonde hair and hippy ensemble blowing in the wind behind her. I
jumped on the back, well jumped makes it sounds like it was easy, with my
massive pack and other bags it was more like clambered on desperately trying to
hold my balance, and we were off. We drove around sightseeing the village for a
wee bit before getting into some sticky rice and mango and checking out the
night market.
After a few rounds of
this she took me to her friends bar the Blah Blah Bar. Such an amazing place,
we stayed there all night long hanging with new friends in the heat of the
night.
No comments:
Post a Comment