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Our first stop in Thailand was Bangkok. We arrived in Bangkok late at night and headed to the popular Koh Sahn Road. Koh Sahn Road is an interesting place full of interesting people (to be honest I have never seen such strange people in my entire life). Due to the fact that we arrived in Thailand on Election Day there was no alcohol for sale anywhere for 48 hours. I can’t imagine what the people would have been like if liquor were involved.

Other than getting $5 massages and a mani/pedi for myself, we spent the evening people-watching at a sidewalk restaurant. While enjoying our $1 Pad Thai, we were entertained by the people trying to sell things up and down the street. One woman came by with 40 larger-than-normal balloons, trying to sell them for 50 Baht a piece (about $1.50). Ryan (a teacher we work with) and I tried to tell her we would give her 500 Baht to let them all go. She didn’t go for it but it got her to leave us alone. Next came two little barefoot boys who were probably 3 years old begging for money. It was so sad seeing these boys, alone, on this street begging for money. They left and soon enough the balloon woman was back and willing to take Ryan and I up on our offer. We told her we were joking and she got quite upset. So I gave her the money and she gave me 40 huge balloons. I ran down the road to find the little boys. Jay and I handed these two boys 40 balloons and made them hold on with all 4 hands (I really thought they might float away). They looked so happy. Two minutes later we saw all those balloons go flying into the air, but the boys were smiling.

The next morning we decided to take a Tuk Tuk (a popular form of transportation in Thailand, see our Photo page for pictures) around the city to see Palaces and Buddhas. For 40 Baht ($1.30) our Tuk Tuk drivers said they would take all four of us (Jay, myself, and two other teachers from our school) to see the most famous palaces and Buddhas in the city. What we didn’t know was that we also had to stop at various stores along the way in hopes that we would buy a custom made suit or jewelry. Our tour took many hours but the places we saw were definitely worth more than $1.30. The most impressive Buddha was the “Reclining Buddha” pictured above. Seeing the Buddhas in Thailand is something that you cannot really describe in words, it is something you really must experience in person. They were truly amazing.

After our Tuk Tuk tour we returned to Koh Sahn Road to do some shopping. Koh Sahn Road is known for its shopping, especially its knock-offs. We found everything from Lacoste to Tiffany’s jewelry. I bought plenty of knock-off clothing, souvenirs, Pad Thai, and fresh fruit while on Koh Sahn Road, and I think the most expensive thing I bought was my Starbucks Latte.

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