It was with a bit of trepidation that i arrived here - no accommodation, at a new airport that's not in my newly acquired guidebook and having not backpacked for the last few weeks. I was expecting heat and large shopping malls and lots of young Thai girls accompanying old men and of course lots of lady boys. after 5 days however i haven't seen the latter...phew! but i have seen lots of the odd couples. a surprisingly huge number - and not just old men either. I'm not sure id ever get used to it, but the longer i was there the more acceptable it got - its obvious its part of the Thai culture in Bangkok now, and while you're travelling you have to do your best to accept!?
The city is a hot, noisy, dirty sprawl of a city absolutely full of shops and food - a sort of heaven for shopaholics and fat people (most Americans?). I admit i loved it - to visit i hasten to add. Ive taken some great boat rides, people watched galore in Patapong (dodgy area), already seen to many temples, met some really friendly Thai's (Aum in particular who as usual i don't have a photo of, great name though - imagine the noise Homer Simpson makes when eating donuts). All you have to do is smile - It's contagious. just smile even though neither of you know what the other is really saying most of the time.
A great start to my SE Asia trip, and no to Craig and the lads, I am NOT telling you anything about the girls - well i think they were girls...