You would Thai too if it happened to you

We are using the time before we catch the overnight train to Chaing Mai. Last night we arrived arund 11:30 then whipped through customs and immigration only to have a cab driver who could not A) Stay awake (he had the air going, wiping his face, music loud) B) Find the hostel (He was given the address in Thai, called the hotel, got lost & still dropped us off at the wrong hotel. Luckily we could walk there, but we were not impressed.

Today we needed to secure Cambodian visas, get overnight train tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and do some touring. As luck would have it there is a volunteer program here that matches students with tourists to help them get around the city. The skeptical Americans asked how much it would cost, but were told it is volunteer and all we need to do is tell them about USA and they will tell us about Thailand.

What an excellent way to see Bangkok and accomplish what we needed to in one day. Two 20 somethings took us on the bus, BTS (above ground metro), taxi and boat from the Cambodian Embassy, to train station, to lunch and even a few temples and the Grand Palace.
We learned:

• the monarchary- Every Monday people wear Yellow in honor of the King. He has reigned for 61 years (longest in the world).
• Thai food - Flavorful, cheap, wide variety
• language - "Nate don't talk thai, Nate don't talk Thai real good." Although English is on signs, the accent is hard to understand and Thai is very hard to speak.

We had a fabulous lunch and Kristy is sure to have a Thai tea EVERYDAY we are here. The Baht is currently 36 to the dollar and temps are around low 90's here. It was a fabulous way to spend our first day in Thailand.

Tonight we are on the overnight train in the 2nd class sleeper with 38 new friends for 14 hours. Should be interesting.