longitude/latitude

Sign in the bathroom of the park that says, “No washing of clothing in the toilet”. I think they meant to say not to wash clothes in the sinks. The Parks Dept. should really stop having interns make signs.

My last night in Bangkok I went to the movies to see Unknown. I have heard that before every movie they play a 3 minute movie of the King and everyone stands up and watches and that you get an assigned seat — bonkers! Well, I went to the movie theatre and found out that all of these things are true.

Because it was opening night of Unknown they were only showing it in a special theatre. The ticket seller told me I could buy a ticket and it would cost $20 USD. I thought, as most people do when traveling through Bangkok, that I was prob. being ripped off. In any event I paid the money, hoping that the theatre seats would be made out of velvet and gold.

Once I walked past the VIP bar at the entrance and made it into the theatre I found that it was even better than expected! The theatre was basically made up of these huge plush couches which allowed for two people to sit in them. The individual seats on the couches had footrests that came out and on each seat was a blanket that you could curl up with.

Sure enough, after all the previews they did play a 3 minute movie which showed photographs of the King of Bangkok and all of the good that he has done. It was a powerful little piece of propaganda, after it was done I wanted to clap and chisel a monument in his honor. It was like a really great video montage of Ghandi. It was that touching!

It was the best movie experience I ever had. It made up for a lack luster movie (which, for the record, I blame on January Jones and not on Liam Nesson).

When traveling I arrive at the airport and am usually faced with two options — a taxi or public transportation. I’ve traveled a good deal in countries where the taxi fare is affordable and for convenience sake I usually take a cab. Before I arrived in HK I was resolute that I would take a bus. I was a bit less convinced when I landed and it was dark and rainy. Nonetheless, I stuck to my original plan and found the bus and hopped on. The whole bus ride I was grinning from ear to ear because of this small accomplishment. I arrived at my hostel in Chungking Mansions. It’s small but conveniently located (location always seems to save things…). I thought it was inventive how they cut the curtain out so that the AC could be used. So this is it, my room. Welcome to the luxury that is budget travel.

They’re olives in the traditional sense but they were also tossed in a Thai seasoning which consisted of sugar. I was heartbroken as I really miss eating olives.

The sign on the Skytrain in Bangkok that asks you to give up your seat for a monk, a child, a pregnant woman and an older person.

I got another hair cut and dyed my hair. I wanted a dirty blonde color but the stylist had no idea what I meant and was relieved when I told her she could just bleach the roots. Looks like i’ll keep this look until I head back to NYC. So far i’be been told I look like Lady Diana and Lady Gaga and i’ve been called Sir at least 6 times.

The MBK Center in Bangkok is a mecca of deal making. It’s also a great place to go for designer knock offs. I spent Friday morning there and If i’m totally honest, I don’t even really know what happened. Once I was there, it was like entering a parallel universe — bargaining for things, settling on a price and then exchanging money for the item. This happened countless times. There were a few moments when I awoke from this buying trance and thankfully talked myself out of buying things like a fake diamond ring with a parrot on it. Phew.

This is my friend in the coffee shop. He works here with his sister. His sister is the barista and she is dating the Dutchman that owns the shop. In a week the shop will close for a week. My friend is going home and sleeping and his sister is off to visit her bf’s family, they’re both excited about having a braek!

 I stop by this shop often and he always greets me and we joke around with one another. It’s right by my hotel and one day i asked for a to go cup for the iced coffee I was drinking — he said I could take the glass and just bring it in next time. Sometimes I go back to restaurants or coffee shops i’ve been in once because it really allows you to build a relationship with the people who run it. I think that outweighs having a meal at every restaurant in town. I promised him one last coffee before I leave, so I’ll be seeing him tomorrow bright and early before I grab my bus!

I have decided to leave Ko Chang a bit early so that I may have an extra day in Hong Kong. I walked along the beach towards sunset and “collected” seashells and other oddities with my camera. Please see below for my collection.

Colorful seaweed.

Found this gem pretty far off shore in low tide.