This is me, taken in the bathroom of the Bangkok airport just before going through imigration. I don’t think I look that bad for having spent close to 20 hours dessicating in a packed airplane. The whole trip was 30 hours door to door and while it wasn’t the easiest trip to the other side of the world, it wasn’t the hardest either.

As soon as Phil dropped me at BWI it felt like adventure travel and the letting go it demands had begun. The united agent did not want to allow me to go without at 60 day visa for Thailand since my return flight is not until March 16. Bangkok being the giant transit lounge that it is, I could not beleive that was the first time she’d encountered someone going to Thailand before heading elsewhere but I suppose most people book their flights from home despite it being way cheaper to wait till you get here. And it is a good thing I’ve waited cause my first destination, Kathmandu, is in question due to rising civil unrest exacerbated by the upcoming elections. My current plan is to decompress with some thai massage and watch the news closely while I await news from folks living in Kathmandu (thanks for the contacts Susan).

My flight had some minor excitement when an elderly asian woman collapsed at my feet while I was sound asleep with about 4 hours to go to Bangkok. I was unceremoniously evicted from my seat while the crew searched the plane for a doctor to help her. I wandered around the plane for about an hour, checking occasionally on the health of the patient and whether I could retrieve my passport and camera but the repeated response had to do with bodily fluids and staying clear for my own safety (Yes, this guy mentioned bodily fluids no less than 6 times to anyone who asked if she was ok). Finally, a very helpful gentleman, astonished that I had not been given another seat, retrieved my belongings and sat me in business class for the last 2 hours. Word was, the patient was fine or we would have made an emergency landing.

A treasure-hunt search for my guesthouse was well worth it. I’m hanging in one of the best places I’ve ever found in bangkok - a quiet, airy, and very clean place that reminds me of the Polonesian Village in Disney world (yes, i’m embarrassed to admit this). Suk11 is cinder-block building disguised with bamboo slat floors, rice-paper lamps, and plenty of thai kitch, all of which summon nostalgic childhood memories of tiki torches and bamboo coctail lounges.

After only 4 hours of sleep (but some gut-bustin coffee) I’m feeling great. I think that NO_JET_LAG stuff actually works! I figured I had nothing to lose by taking it though it was tough to remember to every 2 hours.

Thanks to all who sent bon voyage msgs. Will post daily as long as I’m in thailand with convenient and cheap internet.

p.s. no spell-checker so parden the mess

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