Thailand

Got into Thailand a few days ago.  We flew since it turns out you only get a 15 day stamp if you arrive over land and we want the flexibility to stay (and could do without the 18 hour night train).  It's not quite what we expected.  It's much calmer and cleaner and so far we've had zero drama. No touts,  no scams! We spent the first night partying on the main tourist drag and a got a great .  It's pretty terrible (in a must see,  car crash,  can't look away,  freak show way). Young tourists running around like idiots was the most common sight.  Other interesting sights include:

• Places to buy fake id's and diplomas
• Laughing gas
• Edible scorpions and bugs
• Random prescription drugs
• Tuk Tuk drivers offering to take you to all kinds of illicit places 
• Vulgar t-shirts and bracelets 
• Bros running around with no shirts and being terrible
• "ladies of the evening "

I can't believe that most back packers actually stay on this road.  Glad we booked ours 20 mins away!  There is a military checkpoint that sets up right in front of our hostel.  Been afraid to take a pic of it though. 

On our first full day we went to the largest out door market and wandered around the stalls for 3+ hours and barely saw half of it and then took a nap in the park. 

I wanted to find an authentic place to go out for the night and read a about a place called "brick bar".  It's in a basement and is exclusively a young thia hangout.  The place was incredible.  Packed in shoulder to shoulder with a 2 killer live house Ska  bands!  The dancing was one of the greatest things I've ever seen.  It's almost like theater,  every one spins  around and dances on tables and chairs. Everyone knew all the words and sang along.  They drink whisky by the bottle and no one got even remotely mean or aggressive.  They even bow if they accidentally bump you.  I went nuts and danced until after 2am. All my crazy dance moves fit right in and the thia crowd seemed to like and accept me.  I can't remember having so much fun.  I don't think I stopped smileing for the entire time I was there.  This is why I travel.

Popsicles! 

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Monument to democracy.  How ironic... 

Oldfashioned tattoo at a night market