Departing India was appropriately Indian. Despite arriving at the airport SEVERAL hours before our departure, we were not allowed to check our bags into security until 45 minutes before our flight. This meant that a throng, not a line but a throng, of people crowded about the belt waiting to have their bags checked before crowding behind the check-in counters. Then we were all herded through the security entrance to our gate and made it just minutes before cramming onto the plane to Bangkok. Sadly, this meant leaving Bobby behind to fend for himself in a separate crowd to the U.S. =(.
Among this crowd were two Canadian girls who quickly became our allies. After boarding at 4am, we fell asleep until our 10am arrival. Entering Bangkok airport was a simple, divine experience. The floors of the brand new airport sparkled with polish and the aroma of pad thai wafted into our nostrils as we were greeted with happy smiles and NO hassle. The four of us sped off to a guest house arranged by Emily (Dimity's friend from Prague and our former travel buddy through eastern Europe) and Shana, our new travel buddies who were meeting us there. They have both been living in Chang Mai for the past 6-9 months working with Burmese refugees as part of a fellowship.
The Shanti Lodge was spotless, adorned with charming tropical/backpacker character, well organized and very welcoming. We promptly plopped onto our beds and fell asleep until the early evening. Dimity and I ventured out for some spring rolls (I know you are salivating, because these were the BEST sping rolls I have had thus far in my 23 years of living) before returning to the hostel to wait for Emily over some Singha draught beers with our Canadian chums and Shana.
Finally, Emily arrived and our clan of women headed back to the same restaurant for a Thai feast. There are no words to describe this ecstatic meal. Lets put it this way. In the US, one dines on Indian cuisine maybe three-four times a month. Now imagine eating Indian every night - I know it might be difficult but just try. Well you wouldn't! When we first arrived and saw Chinese, Italian, and Mexican dishes on the menus, I was seriously baffled. After seven weeks in India, I can proudly say that I tried just about everything on the menu. Needless to say, I don't think I could possibly get sick of the fresh and scrumptiously spicy cuisine in SE Asia, such as spicy papaya salads and red curries.
Although India was a spectacular adventure, it was a pleasant surprise to arrive in a modern city where street stall food is safe and edible, passersby have nothing to sell, and you can safely walk on the sidewalks looking ahead of you instead of admiring the cow patties that you might step on.
Peace, Emma
