One night in Bangkok

Well, 11 nights to be more specific.

I flew from Siem Riep into Bangkok today, starting to feel a little bit under the weather. I take the express bust to Khao San, where all the backpackers are, as it's central and packed with guest houses. I arrive weighed down with bags like scuba gear: a regular backpack on my front, a huge travel-across-europe backpack on by back, and a duffel bag on my shoulder.

In Vietnam, when you get off the bus, there are people everywhere trying to take you to their guest house.

Not so much in Bangkok.

I figure I'd walk into a couple, ask to see the room, check on the rates, and make a decision, if only for a day to dump my crap and head out.

The first place is an Indian Restaurant/Guesthouse. Most of the guesthouses are paired with a restaurant or cafe or something. It's 300 baht, or about $9.

$9 in Cambodia gets you a rpetty nice place. In Bangkok, it gets you a prison cell.

No. Not even for a night.

I wander donw the street a bit, at this point more exhausted than I should be, and I stop off at the very lovely coffeeshp/Guesthouse. The coffee shop is beautiful, right next to the airplane bus stop. It's also about $32 a night. The room is small, but beautiful and clean inside, and already airconditioned.

One night.

So I go to Khao San Road.

UGH.

Imagine St. Mark's place, twice as wide, three times as dense with vendors and shiny street signs. 10 times the number of hippie white people.

Oh, and a 7-Eleven every 30 feet. Which is only a slight exaggeration.

I'll be here for three days, and it's close to some of the historic sights, but I'm going to make it my business to get out of here as soon as possible.

First meal: of course, pad thai. Extra fish sauce. At least the food's still cheap.