Bangkok

Ahhh, Bangkok. Where the Land of Smiles becomes a sharp grimace. The best you can hope for here is that the poo you just trod in might have come from a dog. Urine soaked back streets provide a welcome relief from the stench of the sewers but a drip of water on your neck evokes panic regardless. If a store has a footpath outside it means it also has a drive through. Mcdonalds, ordinarily a cesspool, has become a sanctuary of cleanliness. Why am I itchy?

I arrived this morning after catching the sleeper train. I thought this would be a better option than a bus as it only costs 110baht more, frees up a day and counts as accomodation. I didn't count on it taking half a day and 350 baht to get to the train station yesterday though.

I've just booked a hostel, but it is only 8:30am. Far too early to check in. I'm around the corner from Jim Thompson House. I vaguely remember hearing about him from last time I was here. I think he opened up the fabric industry, maybe. I suppose I'll go find out.

The photo is of train food. It's the only photo I took yesterday.