February 6, 2006

• was in BKK the other weekend and was left to explore the city on my own.  i refused to take the cab and took the train every where, revisitng all my favourite spots in the city and some new ones (all malls, mind you .  as i was standing on the train platform waiting to board, i realized how different i travel now than i used to: 

  
  

  then: purchased a euro zone train ticket with a general idea of countries i wanted to visit and went from there. flew Hungarian Airways to save $ (would NOT however recommend the experience). lived off french bread and water.  sat on the ground waiting for buses/trains to come

  
  

  now: book everything in advance. fly business class. car pick up from airport to resort.   first class concierge service at my beck and call.  throw dirty looks at grunge looking kids sitting on the ground in public 

  
  

  honestly, i don't think i prefer one form of traveling over the other... it's really nice to be pampered, but as i was standing on the train platform in BKK holding a map upside down figuring which way to go i felt... liberated.  strange word to use perhaps, but it was very refreshing not to know exactly what's coming. to be pushed out of my comfort zone.  sometimes

  
  

  * * * * * *

  
  

  on the train platform in BKK, waiting for the train... from another trip long ago
  
  

  • 8:12 am
  • 4 Comments