Back in Memphis

Back in Memphis, jet lagged, tired and trying to get my life back. The last day in Bangkok I did not do much, walked around a bit, did some last minute shopping and headed over to Khoisan road for one last visit to hang out with my friend Costal. I did not stay for a long visit for I had to get up early the next morning and make a flight out at 815am. I did how ever ride a motorbike taxi back to the hotel, it was a wild ride for sure. The travel guides said to get there 3 hours before, so I did but the check in counter for Japan airlines did not open until 545. I got on the plane it was a nice 6 hours to Japan from Bangkok sitting next to this Japanese business man who did not smell like he had time to take a shower before he got to the airport. Got to japan and waited for two hours for the long flight to take off. I guess the flight took off around 6pm Japan time. I was suppose to have a aisle seat according to my itinerary but no, I had to sit between two dudes which makes for a slightly less comforting flight. It only took 10.5 hours to get to Dallas Fort Worth, but hey, I got there. I then had to go through immigration and recheck bags, exchange my currency back to US dollars and find a Hamburger and frosty beverage that yelled American. I sat down to wait for the plane and woke up to the boarding announcements, I had no idea where I was then I figured it out quickly. got my self together, got on the plane and headed to memphis. Don picked me up, we went to a Christmas party and then home.

Would you go back to Bangkok?? Yeah, but not to stay in someone's house like that again. I actually met this guy at the Christmas party, don took me to, that spent two months in Thailand many years ago. he described doing a few things I wished I had, like renting a motor bike in Chaing Mae. It was somewhat interesting being incorporated into someone's family but it got old since they were not the best of hosts. I do believe that I could go back and have a grander time than I did on this trip. I experienced a culture far different than the one I live in and that is what counts most of all to me. There is far more to Thailand that what i saw although I saw a good bit. What i saw more of than I had wished was a troubled and tormented family man. You can't always go on a trip like this an expect every moment to be grand. I had some grand moments and I had some terrifying ones, as well, all the in between. Did I do this trip the right way?? Not sure, I would do it different next time. I actually met a guy from colorado on the flight to Japan. He had been on the south beach islands of Thailand partying very hard. Is that worth doing?? I would not want to have had it any different to tell you the truth. It was truly a growing experience.