Land of Buddha

Hello Everyone!
I'm alive, rested and getting fat on fish noodle soup. The last few days in Bangkok has been a blast! Yesterday I must have looked fresh off the boat because within hours of waking I was kidnapped by a tuk tuk who raced me to every high-end jewelry and silk store to collect gas coupons. Mercifully, he did take me to a few off-the-beaten-path wats (Standing Buddha, Lucky Buddha).

Shopped my wallet dry at the Mother Ship market today, went on a walk at awesome Lumpini park (ever seen 1000 people doing aerobics at once? hysterical!), got a fantastic Thai massage, and now I'm headed out for more mystery street food. Having a rough time of it, you see.

Got the bike 90% assembled but not ready to go since the derailer is totally screwed up. The guys at the shop in Colorado completely detached the rear derailer and it's really putting up a fight. Getting the bike operational is first priority tomorrow, then some more sight-seeing. Tuesday AM will jump the train to Ayuthaya (old Thai capital just north of Bangkok) heading toward the real vacation in Chiang Mai.

I can't get over how warm the Thai people are. Everyone lives with big smiles and kind words. I feel very safe here, much more than the US.

Thanks for checking in! Hope all is well back home and don't forget to email me.

Love from Thailand, Kristi