Thailand/Cambodia 2009 - arrived!

Sitting at the SamSenSam Boutique Hotel in Bangkok after spending Day 1 touring around, tiring myself out so I sleep well tonight. That shouldn't be a problem given that I was up at 6:30am, went for a 40 min run, and then spent the day walking, walking, walking. My foot is KILLING me. Not a good thing I suspect. But I've been icing it and have managed to track down some more anti-inflammatories (gotta love BKK pharmacies!).

The flight over was vaguely uneventful. From Chicago to Tokyo I managed to score my 2 seats by myself - woo hoo! Which meant I could (somewhat) spread out and attempt to get some sleep. I got about 4 hours of sleep, and then spent the rest of the time in what I can only describe as a zombi state - that glazed over travel state which is neither really awake or asleep. In Tokyo, I enjoyed a large Yesubi beer and some dumplings, took a few melatonin and almost fell asleep in the departure lounge!! I got on the plane and I don't remember the take-off. I slept almost the entire way from Tokyo to Bangkok except the last hour. Woo hoo!! Getting into Bangkok after 6 hours of sleep, I was wide awake! I grabbed a taxi to the hotel, excited, tired, wired, and enjoying the smells of Bangkok - Asian cities have their own smell, whether it's the pollution coupled with incense or simply the hot, sticky air after being in a sterile plane for 24 hours. It feels like home. It smells like Kathmandu.

I managed to get some sleep last night - about 2 hours. I woke early and decided what better way to get rid of jetlag than to go for a run? Remember, I've been off training for the last while, trying to heal my foot! But I figured the warmth would help, so off I went, much to the surprise of the night watchman who, I think, thought I was insane to refuse coffee in order to go and sweat in the streets! I ran to the river, along some side streets, and into a park near the palace. There were Muay Thai students running in the same park, so I wasn't alone! There are 2 gyms near Khao San so I suspect the guys were from there. Thais are funny to watch run - they run on their toes. I try it, but it hurts like hell!!

After breakfast (chicken and rice and fruit - dragon fruit, rose apple, apple and bananas!!), including 2 cups of instant coffee, I gathered my pack and headed off. The streets are quiet at 9am in the morning, especially since it is Chinese New Year and alot of stores are closed. I had two goals for the day: (1) gloves and thai shorts, and (2) Bob's contact lenses. Goal #1 was met, goal #2 was a bust after 5 attempts as no one in town has negative prescriptions. I wound up walking down to the Amulet Market near the palace and wandering around it for a while, purusing the strangeness that is the amulet world. I hopped on an express boat south on the river and got off at the central station for the BTS. BTS to MRT and I landed at Lumphini. I should have checked in advance that tonight was a Lumphini fight night - nope. The stadium, and the gear stores, were closed. So, grab a taxi to Ratchadamnern stadium where all the stores were open!! Yeah!! 12 oz gloves, a pair of bright yellow shorts and wraps and we're good to go. Assuming my foot holds out!

Deciding it was time for lunch, I went around the corner from the stadium where a Chinese man beckoned me to come inside his restaurant. Sure! Why not! Plunk. Large Chang beer put in front of me and a suggestion from the owner - snake fish grilled over charcoal. Sounds good to me!! I'll upload a photo of this fish soon, but it was a good foot long! The entire fish, split open to reveal the white cooked flesh. Spoon on some (very) hot chilis and add some rice and it was awesome!! Plunk. Another beer appears in front of me (Paula's slightly giddy by this point in time but the owner is being really nice and friendly!!). It was an enjoyable lunch and well-deserved after the morning's running around.

I grabbed a taxi back to Khao San Road and wandered around the market, winding up in a massage shop for a much-needed foot massage. Why is it Thai masseures are always shocked at how tight my calves are?!! Man, she did a number on me! But I hope it helps and tomorrow feels better. Can't be worse than it is now!! I suspect I should go and get some NamNam at the pharmacy. I did find some more Voltarin which will take me through the next couple of weeks.

I'm back at the hotel now, deciding that being off my feet is a good thing for the time being!! I think I need to soak my feet in something cold. :)

I discovered mangosteens (milk fruit) today. I've never had mangosteen in it's natural state before. I bought 5 of them at the market after the stall lady showed me how to eat them! Break open the red-purple fruit and eat the white segments inside. They're great!!!

I'm debating on what to do for supper. I think it will be light - for one thing, I'm exhausted. For another, I'm exhausted!!!

Tomorrow, I'm not sure what the plan is. Something that doesn't include lots of walking, that's for sure. Possibly a run in the morning. We'll see how my foot is. Something low key me thinks.