DAY ONE: I'll have 1 scorpian with maggots, please

It's been a week and my whole experience has defo been getting more exciting. this one might be a bit of a long one but will try and keep it short from the next posts. im going to aim to update my blog every week or 2 weeks.

So, as I said i haven't really been scared. Well for a minute that changed. saying bye to my family at the airport and walking through customs by myself was when i realised that I wouldn't come across those faces again for over 7 months, and that I had to fend for myself n0w. it was weird, i had been so prepared for leaving them since i booked my travels in like october, yet when it came down to it i shat myself. but that was for like a minute, mainly because i was just surrounded by backpackers even at the airport. in the waiting terminal i met a 30 year old man from germany (cant remember where) who was a director for a computer engineering firm, but quit his job and sold all his furniture and many valued possessions, to go travelling to australia until his money ran out. which made me realise how fortunate i am. on my flight i was sat next to 2 friendly girls from south london who were going to bangkok too. i didnt watch any films because i was knackered and wasnt in the mood, just watched episodes of two and a half men and spoke to them instead (as well as sleeping and eating off course).

I arrived in bangkok to find long queues of travellers of all ages, all religions looking more confused than i did in filling out the local visa documents. more relief. i then text preyan (my mate from uni who is also travelling), who sent me directions to khoa san road from the airport, and told me where to meet him and what time. instead of getting ripped off by the local taxis, i decided to take the airport bus, which made me a bit nervous at first (buying tickets, knowing where to go) but the staff and tourists around were ridiculously helpful. so anyway, got off the bus, met preyan, checked into the hostel and checked into the local hostel. Btw i was only with preyan for about 4 days, but i will be most likely meeting him at various points in the next couple of months. Anyway at 4.50 Sterling a night, this was actually one of the more luxurious places in the area (a/c, tv, clean sheets, hot water). Khoa san road itself is MENTAL - its a long stretch of road but with only a few things - hotels, bars, food/clothes stalls and tourists.

My favourite food so far has defo been Chicken Pad Thai, which is like a lighter version of fried noodles. and at the stalls it sells for about 40p! and they make it in front of you. One of the things that caught my eye was the stalls selling cockroaches, scorpians, maggots and others insects for people to eat. they were really cheap. but in fairness the sellers probably just went into their back garden and threw whatever moved into their deep friers. i have to try at least 2 insects before i leave asia (I am going to be back here twice after this visit so have plenty of opportunities).

Another thing I immediately noted about bangkok was the way people crossed the road. it is expected that pedestrians just cross roads at any given point, so the drivers are alert and just stop when some1 needs to cross or is slightly in their path. without the slightest bit of frustration or complaint. in comparison, in london if you crossed the road in a similar manner, you would be hooted/hurled abuse at (or severely injured).

Me and preyan had a few beers and shishal, and after a LOT of persuasion, he convinced me to go to this fish massage. its basically swarms of these little fish who come to your feet and eat off all the dead skin. well supposedly anyway. but it tickles like mad for the first few minutes until you get used to the idea of sea creatures chewing at the shit off ur feet. for what became 4 hours. anyway i'm glad i was convinved to do it - it was relaxing (as advertised) and met some really cool people too. for under 4 quid we got unlimited usage of it (which we fully made use of) and a free beer. now thats asda price (cha ching)..