Adventures in Bangkok

As a US Citizen, I can get a visa on entry into Cambodia, but it's only valid for one month.  Since I'm here for nearly two months, I had to take a little jaunt to Thailand so that I could leave and come back, getting me another month-long visa.  In terms of immigration hassles, this one wasn't exactly what I would call a hardship.

Unlike Latin America and Africa, traveling within the region in Southeast Asia is incredibly convenient and cheap.  So, about $100 and an hour long flight later, I touched down in Bangkok.  We were there for about a total of 36 hours, so it wasn't along trip and I think I only got to see the very tip of the iceberg.  So, here are the highlights:

• Thai iced coffee is God's gift to caffeine addicts.
• Bangkok's public transportation system is beautiful and I love it.
• There is no limit to the number of temples and Buddhas you will find in Bangkok.
• You haven't been to a market until you've been to the Chatuchak Market.
• You can get craft beer in Bangkok.  And it's gooooood.
• Sometimes tuk tuk drivers will scam you and you gotta roll with the punches.

Now, back in Cambodia I'm wrapping up everything for my practicum.  We've finished all of our interviews, so now it's really just time to get our notes together and knock out the paperwork I have remaining.  My time here has been really interesting.  I don't think I would ever want to live in a hotel for six weeks again and I've certainly missed my friends, but I think this could be a cool place to land if I was living a little bit more of a normal life.  Here are some of the things that I've really enjoyed about Cambodia:

• Availability of real coffee.
• Beer that ranges in price from $0.50 to $1.50, or maybe $2.50 if you're somewhere really fancy.
• Our local bar, Bluedog where I was hugged by a Cambodian for the first time (Hugs, handshakes, etc. are really not typical here.  People are really polite, but physical contact with casual acquaintances is really rare).
• Really cheap transportation.  Tuk tuks are usually around $2-$5, and then you never have to worry about parking or public transportation or anything like that.
• Gorgeous scenery.  We spend about 4 or 5 hours in the car when we go out into the field, but I don't really mind because I can just look out the window.
• Incredibly nice people.  Like, seriously, the Cambodian people I've met are just about the nicest, most polite people I've ever meet.  People welcome you into their homes with no hesitation and are just consistently incredibly kind.
• Afternoon rains.  I know, rainy season is kinda sucky, but I actually love the torrential rainfall in the afternoons.

I'm off to Malaysia on Saturday for a week to go to a friend's wedding and just generally lay about near a pool, so keep an eye out on my Instagram for pictures of me living my best life.