15a) Vietnam> Thailand: Bang to the Kok (part 1)

3/10

Thailand is sort of the Mecca of backpacking and I have wanted to go there for a good ten years, so I was excited to check it out. But first, a Vietnamese goodbye.

Spring roll style

This is one of those airport receptacles where you are forced to ditch stuff you can't bring onboard. Ok, so I count at least a good 7 people trying to bring farm equipment on airplanes. Are people that attached to their spades here? What are they going to do, plant tulips at 30,000 feet?

Here we go

Under the "Here's Something You Don't See Everyday" heading, a building that is a giant ad. And we think we are progressive for wrapping buses. We're sitting bench on JV and we think we're starting on Varsity. Sad.

3/11

A watermelon shake- aka heaven in a glass- aka the perfect breakfast drink. It's just pure blended fruit and some simple syrup. Why they don't sell these on every corner at home is beyond me.
















I thawt I saw a glass of Thai Whisky. I did, I did.



























Who says Puerto Ricans rule the souped-up bike scene? This guy would probably be laughed out of the Boricua parade for not being flamboyant enough, but then again he would not get raped at the Boricua parade, so I'm not sure that is a big loss. Either way, he owned Khao San Road.

Khao San Road is sort of the center of the backpacking universe. It's like Haight Street is to hippies and Bedford Ave is to hipsters. Like both streets it's also a grossly-inflated parody of itself. Still, it had its redeeming qualities.

Like this guy.

I've never seen a street performer rock this crazy before. Actually I did once, but only Soden and Molly Derkin remember that. Anyone remember her? Shout out to MD wherever she is.

As you might expect, you can pierce and/or tattoo anything on Khao San Road. I like the idea of getting this (the entire image) tattooed on my arm. A tattoo of another tattooed-body-part is at least original. You can't imagine how many unoriginal and lame tattoos I have seen on this trip. If I get a tattoo here it will be Thai writing that translates as "your gay tattoo is even gayer than this very very gay tattoo."

Finally, a copy of Sugar!

Two months with nothing but Teen Vogue was starting to get to me.

And finally a foot-long that is actually that!

I've always hated ordering a footlong at the ballpark and getting some rinky-dink eight-inch dog. I want the real thing, damn it! When I want 8 inches in some buns I'll go to the Castro, thank you very much

3/12

Remember my motorcycle accident?
I do.

This place is just perfect. It couldn't be headier. It would kill as a satellite booth on Phish tour. It would be the centerpiece of Shakedown.

Dr. Taco, proud sponsor of the WNBA.

Seriously though, who exactly is the target audience here? Is the processed-food loving, Thai-lesbian community that large? This one is sort of easy. Feel free to add your own caption in the comment section. JC/Tom/Marge- I'm looking at you.

Thailand's Next Dance Crew.

I like coming across b-boy wannabees dancing in make-shift mirrors, but they never deliver.

If pressed, I could pull together a dance crew as good as these dudes. Or could I?

Rob's Dance Crew-if he was challenged to a dance-off on national television

Coe- doesn't dance (out)

Soden- funky (in)

Klien- good moves, but too much of a showboat. I need team players (out)

Cobb- (out) for several reasons, not the least of which being he is far to disruptive a presence for practice

Howard- (in), but barely

Kleeman- I would say in, but after his failed attempt at break dancing class... sorry man (out)

Sampy- (in) if he brings the weed. He's the waterboy

Matty J- Interesting. I know he's got it in him, but can he deliver on the spot? (Alternate)

Tommy- I'm not sure I have ever actually seen him dance before. Did I just discover Tom's biggest secret? Considering the type of music we'll be using, I'll do us both a favor and say (out)

Fordo- family first (in)

Jay Lee- Soooo (in). Hell, he can also make the costumes

Ryan- (ummm....) that’s how I say (out) when I don't have the heart to just say it. "Hey rob; can you help me move this weekend? Ummm...."

Who else am I friends with that are reading this blog? Do I even have any more male friends? Well clearly the real loser in this exercise is me. I'll just try to buy-off Randy Jackson with coupons to Popeye’s and see what that gets me. Sigh.

Bangkok to be continued...