Confessions of a New Intl. Traveler

We're here! And I'm exhausted. But one thing is for sure, I freaking LOVE traveling!

Our journey to get here was an adventure in itself! I had just finished packing in Phoenix, and had put a quick coat of paint on my nails, when the doorbell rang.... our Super Shuttle was early, go figure! So I had to ding up my nails as I wrestled my two suitcases, carry-on and purse to the shuttle. Our shuttle driver was this great guy named Ben who had been on the job a week after quiting his former career as a graphic designer. He was trying to make money in the mean time; however, he didn't quite get the GPS system the shuttle had. "How do you get to the airport from here?" he asked us. We laughed and tried to show him. We got lost a million times but finally arrived at the airport.

Checking in wasn't a problem but our flight was delayed from 7:30 PM to 8:15 PM ---and we were there by 3:30! So we got some food and found out our flight was delayed again to 9. So we got an iced tea. And then the monitor said our flight was changed back to 7:30! We rushed through security..... only to get pulled over to the "select" line and had to get patted down. :) By the time we got to our gate, the flight had been delayed back to 8:30 and then changed to 9 PM. Omigoodness! Thankfully, the Little Miss Sunshine shirt my friend Val gave to me was a hit with random strangers so I met quite a few new friends and even got a coffee out of it. (Thanks Val!) :)

We flew to San Francisco and then boarded our long-haul flight to Taiwan. I sleep horribly on planes and this flight was no exception. We flew deluxe economy which is basically the same as domestic first-class; however, sleeping sitting up doesn't work for me and I dozed off and on for 6 hours. Finally, I woke up to the stewardess serving bowls of noddles to those few still awake. Suddenly it hit me that I was truly on an adventure to new lands and suddenly having to endure a sleepless night wasn't so bad. I grabbed my bowl of seafood noddles and chopsticks and sat back with a smile.

After 13 hours our flight landed in Taipai, Taiwan and we had a few hours to kill. I had my second wind and was excited as we wondered the airport, got a coffee and a sweet-milk roll, and found the Hello Kitty store (which I LOVED!). Taiwan, from what I saw, is beautiful. Very green and lush. I hope to visit there someday.

Our last flight to Bangkok was the hardest. After 27 hours of travel I had forgotten my right from my left and I was ready to rest. But we made it and the Bangkok airport is pretty cool looking. We made it through customs and baggage quickly (which my dad says never happens) and got in our car for the hotel.

I don't know how to describe Bangkok than say it is the most unique city I've ever seen. I reminds me of Toronto, Tijuana, and LA all rolled into one. Bangkok is a very old city and about 11 million people; that's about twice the size of New York City! They have extreme elaborate large skyscrapers on one side of the road and run-down tiny apartments with peeling paint and laundry hanging out the window on the other. Traffic is insane! Cars are whizzing everywhere and the motorbikes weave in and around them. As our car was speeding up as another car merged in front of us I looked at my dad and said, "And you complain about my driving??!" There are gigantic billboards everywhere that pale to the size of ours in America (and Todd, if you are reading this, you would be completely impressed!). The city is very commercial. They also have great respect for their King. Giant signs saying "Long Live the King" plaster the town. (Funny I thought, we would never do that for GWB).

We got to our hotel, Sofitel Silom, which is beautiful and modern! One of the nicest hotels I've stayed in. Very W-Hotel feel. My dad instantly took off to explore the town but I took a very long bath and then settled into my bed for a good 3-hour nap. I woke up for dinner at the hotel and then went back to bed.

But by 4 AM this morning, we were both wide-awake! So we watched The Simpsons on tv, drank coffee, and finally got ready for breakfast. Now, we are out touring the city. A ride on the BTS rail system was great to get out of the horrible humidity. The streets are lined with food vendors, roaming dogs, beggars, and tons of people working, rushing, moving. Life is very fast-paced here is seems.

So now I'm off to a cheap pedicure and later dinner at Trader Vics! No napping today though; I need to sleep tonight! And I need to go anyway, cause little bugs keep biting me here at this internet cafe! :)

More later!! Love and miss you all.