Into the Mystic

A Peruvian, an American and myself ramble on foot down the Bangkok back alleys bright-eyed and dumbfounded. After being approached by what seems like a million street vendors (an actual possibility in this city of 8 million residents, but closer to 12 million inhabitants) with the deal du jour, we meet a local professor.

In his slightly accented English he introduces himself with a friendly, “sawadee” and we banter back and forth butchering each other’s language. Our Thai liason suggests local temples and public sites we should venture to. Simultaneously he manages to dodge death as he grabs a random tuk tuk out of the Bangkok street typhoon.

In rapid conversation our newly found agent explains that the driver will be our personal chauffer for the day. He will take the three of us to each of the recommended stops, wait for us and return us to our hotel at, backpacker Mecca, Kao San Road, for a whopping 30 baht, or less than $1 USD, total.

The American whispers to me with military hesitation, "do you think this guy's legit or is he trying to scam us?" Following a brief character study and a comparison of intuitions, we duck our heads to jump in the supped-up motor cart and are off! If you have never ridden in a Southeast Asian tuk tuk, I suggest it as the bucket list item you didn't know you needed. This three-wheel scooter equipped with a loveseat and held together by a shaky aluminum frame and roof is part roller coaster, part life threatening auto rickshaw. This ride is quickly becoming my favorite experience in Southeast Asia.

Zigzagging around vehicles, through red lights, I feel and overwhelming sensation of belongingness with a tinge of nausea and am officially initiated in the Siamese culture.