In case you’re wondering where in the world I am. I am currently in Bangkok (well, BKK adjacent – I’m actually staying in Samut Prakan). I’ve returned. Now it’s time to get out an explore…at my usual leisurely rate. But me being me, I was busy the first few days I arrived.

My original flight kept getting cancelled so I ended just moving it up a day and staying in a hotel for a night. Sometimes, you just gotta “treat yo’ self”. The slogan on my Milk & Cream (NYC) hat. Lydia’s dad had come home the day before (they had been down in Songkhla and I was house sitting). We went out for lunch before he dropped me off at the airport. I made it in time…you know arriving at the airport 45 minutes before departure. LOL.

The flight was nice and easy (and included a snack) and the ride to the hotel was easy as well. The hotel was nice…I had asked for a king bed, but they only had 2 twins available; it was fine. It was only for a night. What I’ve learned, I’ve gotten used to taking cold showers…and my body still hates the humidity. I’m thinking my body may just never acclimate (I know…it’s sad). This means I will be a perpetual puddle every time I step outside of the house.

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After my night at the hotel, and eating at the hotel restaurant (it was a BBQ joint…I was skeptical). I went to my friend’s house to get my suitcases, oh how I’ve missed my stuff. Oh, dinner was at a place called Daddy G’s Smoke & Brew. I also had 2 craft IPAs that were priced as they would’ve been had I been in the States. I also got smoked beef tongue (which is different, but delicious) and then fish and chips because I cannot justify pasta here yet. I was a bit tipsy in an enjoyable way. I was originally supposed to go to dinner with a friend, but she had gotten into a car accident (she’s okay…the car has some cosmetic damage) and had to wait for the insurance agent to file a claim.

Okay, back to the story…I missed my stuff so much…but now, “we’re reunited and it feels so good”. I haven’t forgotten what I’ve packed and miss some of the stuff I didn’t…and am trying to find some of the stuff I did pack…it somewhere amongst the 2 suitcases (giant, heavy suitcases). Let’s get real, we really know I missed my shoes most. But honestly, I was kind of sick of wearing the same articles of clothes…even swapping tops and bottoms I got sick of them.

I feel like this is going to be one long winded post. But after hanging out with my friend and getting my suitcases, my cousin picked me up to take me home. Where I will be staying for the unforeseeable future. It’s okay; it’s fun and I kind of like that I’ll get to hang out with her and get to know her more. I haven’t seen her or talked to her in 23+ years. I barely even remembered her. I remembered my uncle and aunt-in-law (and she remembered me). So, this will afford me time to spend with the other side of my family. Yay! Family time. But before anything, lunch.

Sunday after arriving, I had plans to meet a friend in the city. It would be my first time taking a ferry across the river, my first time catching a WIN (motorcycle taxi) to the BTS station and my first time on the BTS (their train system). Apparently no one knew I had never done any of this before, and was super impressed by the time I got home that night. My friend Kae took me out to try boat noodles in Anusawari, which is, apparently, the place to go for boat noodles. I was a bit hesitant because in my experience, I don’t much like boat noodles, but I was willing to give it a shot. They were better than I’ve had before, but they’re still not my favorite type of noodles. I just wouldn’t be opposed to eating them again. Then we walked around a bit, had some desserts and then headed down to Asiatique, which is pretty much like Navy Pier in Chicago. It’s on the waterfront. There are a ton of shops…things to see and do. There’s even a ferris wheel and tons of places perfect for photos. Essentially, it’s great for tourist, but as there’s pandemic there wasn’t too many people, which was great for me.

Monday, I was going into the city…I would have to set an alarm for this one because we wanted to beat the traffic. I also had 2 interviews this day. But I had all day to mill around and drink lots of Starbucks…3 different Starbucks, 3 different drinks and 1 egg salad sandwich smashed between 2 pieces of butterfly pea bread. Oh, and I also did some shopping.

And then…I continued to stay at home for the next 7 days before I started to go crazy. The COVID cases were increasing and they were experiencing another surge. The trip we were supposed to go on for Songkran (Thai New Year (it is also Lao and Khmer New Year, as well)) was no longer happening (because of COVID). It would just be a lot of sitting at home. But before I stayed home for the next 7 days, I did have dinner out with my friend.

On day 8 though, I was beginning to go a little bit crazy. But then, my friend came through with an invite to go out for a motorcycle ride…and then to eat some food stuff together. I’m always up for eating and trying foods. I mean you’ll never know if you don’t try.

So this update is a little late because, honestly, in the last few days…I couldn’t be bothered. I’d lost the will to do things. But now I’m back…I also got back into writing. Oh, and my cousin cooks a lot at home. It’s good; it’s really good. It kind of intimidates me a bit as she definitely makes way more complicated stuff than I do. (Here’s me thinking, she will not be impressed with my spaghetti bolognese or my grilled cheese.)

So, up in Chiang Mai I was completely obsessed with mala and passion fruit anything. Here the obsessions are currently mangos and moo krata. Just as well that its mango season. That’s all for now. Stay tuned for more updates on my life in Thailand…and if I’ll be able to stay.