Shortly after our arrival at the airport we realized we hadn't actually planned out what bus we needed to take for our 6 hour trip to Khon Kaen, Thailand. Tired and groggy from our stay in the Singapore airport the previous night we decided that the best course of action was to eat and then figure out our next steps from there. Plus, Rena looked as if she may want to devour my soul if she didn't get food soon so that was a priority. Our first meal in Thailand consisted of a green curry, honey-mango with sticky rice, and a frozen coconut drink.
Following our meal we ventured out into the city of Bangkok which was ripped at the seams with small markets and overcrowded side streets. Yet, in the hustle of the living city there was a welcoming feel to it. We dove into the crowds and worked our way through a market towards the bus terminal where we would eventually embark on a very interesting bus to Khon Kaen. In the meantime Rena wanted another coconut drink so we stopped at a small shop to find some. While we were there I inquired as to where we may find a bug vendor; we are here on research after all. Minutes later we were face to face with a vendor who sold grasshoppers, bamboo worms, silk worm pupae, crickets, and giant water bugs. Each was cooked and prepared in their own unique way and sold with a spritz of soy sauce and a mystery spice. We took a bag of grasshopper, silk worm, bamboo worm, and a giant water bug to share and we went to town (figuratively, literally we were already in town I suppose.)
We took our time traveling through the market, there was so much to do it was easy to get distracted from our preset goal. Alas, the bus to Khon Kaen beckoned and we were off. Eventually after a few miscalculated overshoots of the terminal we finally made it and got a decent price for our trip. We grabbed a seat and eventually a double decker bus came to carry us away. Neither of us remember much of the trip...we slept for the majority. In addition to not having planned for a bus ride originally we were still lacking lodging in Khon Kaen. Luckily I had previously looked up costs and distances from the University we needed to travel to so at least we had an idea. In the last stretch of the trip we passed by a bustling night market, two hotels that I recognized and wanted to stay at, and a main town park or outdoor restaurant and bar of sorts so we knew the city was going to be exciting. Bold and prepared I thought of myself as we adventurously stepped from the bus and walked out into the city of Khon Kaen. It was only two turns from the terminal where we'd procure a bed and go off to experience the night life of the city. Two turns until we were safe and had a base to run back to if needed! Two turns!!! We made one followed by my leadership to which we followed for about 2-3 kilometers and were no where near where we wanted to be. Yeah, I'm an idiot. I finally asked a kind gentleman by the name of Jo(e) who owned or worked at a local restaurant. Turns out not only did he speak English but he was also one of the nicest people I've ever met (much like the majority of the Thai people I've had the pleasure of meeting thus far.) Jo(e) left work and took Rena and I a few kilometers back down the road we traveled and made the correct turn we should have made down to the Grand Leo hotel (our current place of residence.) I regret not having given him money, invited him for a drink, or at the very least taken a picture with him. Maybe we'll venture down to his restaurant and patronize his store. It's been an adventure so far and I can't wait to see what the rest of the trip looks like....although if I get us lost again Rena may actually kill me--to friends and family, if I don't make it home by January 15th please send help.
I'll post the adventures of day two in Thailand when we return. For now Rena and I are traveling to see some temples, a large lake in the southern part of Khon Kaen, and back to the night market!
Cheers!
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