almost...

...done with Bangkok. After being in this city for about half a month I have learned a few things. As I have said, this is a crazy city with lot's to do. Most of it does not interest me. We are staying one more night pretty much in chinatown which is seedy, congested, and too claustrophobic. I guess that even in foreign countries I am not interested in consumerism. But what is sad is that the people in Bangkok are very, very poor so they survive off people buying things. One of the biggest differences is that you do not need to search for anything. If you are on the sidewalk you are constantly berated by taxi drivers, people selling food, people selling suits, jewelry, etc., etc. It is very difficult to keep a smile on my face while constantly having to say no, no, no. And with some hostility because people do not let up very easily. But if you do find yourself in chinatown in Bangkok, go to Texas Suki and get a Suyaka vegetable platter. It is a gigantic plate of vegetables (really effing good ones) that you put into a pot of boiling water that they bring to your table. With different types of soup bases that they give in little bowls so you can change it up every time you dig in. For sides you can get tofu, meats, or pretty much anything else. 129BHT split between three people and you are eating a lot of food for under $2. It is right off of Yaowarat road which is one of the main roads leading into chinatown and was worth the hassle of getting there. Our room tonight is shady as shit and there have probably been dead people in there. But it is only for one night because we have train tickets heading south to the beaches on the islands Koh Tao, Ko Phangan, and Ko Samui. We are leaving Bangkok at 1:00pm tomorrow. And I cannot be more stoked.

Bangkok is not for the light hearted. There is a lot of depressing shit here. Koh San road for example which is the biggest attraction for back packers (the street that Leo drinks the cobra venom on in the beach). Here, you can get anything you want. And I do mean anything. I have not been touched more by people I do not know in my entire life. Not only on this road do you get hassled, but you get hassled for ping pong shows(if you don't know, look it up), drugs, fake passports, hookers, etc., etc. And people just flock there. It is a freak show. Which is cool for a second, but it's so crowded that you're stuck there for about an hour once you step into it. It's almost like you have to fake ignorance and pretend not to notice sometimes.

We went and saw Wat Pho which hosts the reclining Buddha. Which is rad. Totally fucking cool. But awesome artifacts and sculptures from centuries back lose some sacredness when it's a main attraction. I stepped in a pile of dog shit which gave us all a laugh.

I have been reffered to as David Beckham many times and have posed for many pictures. It's pretty funny and does not chase any ladies away. My tattoos are touched...a lot.

If you come to Bangkok, which although I have been complaining about is a cool city. Go to the Thewet district which is near the Dusit Zoo. Go to the end of the street Sri Ayuthaya, (some one just touched my arm, then grabbed it...I am not kidding) and either go to The Shanti Lodge and talk to Yuwin or go to the Suwatdee Guesthouse and talk to Sam. That area of Bangkok is amazing. The people, the atmosphere...all of it. Don't even give tuk-tuk drivers the time of day because they are liars and assholes. And eat some food at The Shanti because it's amazing. That alone is worth a trip to Thailand. If you're up for it, talk to Youwin about the farm and she will tell you how to get there. I will write about the farm later. But it was amazing. Just know that when she tells you the accomodations are rugged, she is not kidding at all. Get some fresh fruit smoothies or coffee from Sooya across the street from the guesthouse (she is one of my many girlfriends in Bangkok...muahahahaha). And roam around the city.

It may be a while before I get to write again but just know that the farm is to come. Oh yeah, and so are the mothereffing beaches. word.
love and all that good stuff.