Crazy in Bangkok

Bangkok is crazy enough; Khaosan Road is extra crazy. We're staying here because it's close to the Royal Palace and several other important cultural sites. That's likely the same reason that the legions of sweaty, twentysomething backpackers are staying here too. It's loud, and smokey, and filled with Westerners without shirts, Westerners with severe sunburns, Westerners demanding cheap taxi service to the airport. If I weren't rather dazed from it all, it might make for great people-watching.

Tonight we're having dinner with Jim Barnhart, who was intereviewed for Axis of Evil, and one of Rebecca's friends. They both teach at Chulalongkorn University here in Bangkok; they both expressed amazement that we were staying here in backpacker central. But they're both making their way over here for dinner.

This might be the last chance I get to blog before I head back. You're all off work, celebrating Christmas or something, so you won't miss anything. Did I mention that they really get into Christmas over here, despite the fact that they're Buddhist? I suppose it doesn't really have much to do with Christianity anymore in the US, so why should Buddhism keep a country from hanging colored lights and worshipping a fat house burglar? The woman who sold us our tickets for a canal boat tour tomorrow respectfully asked us if she could wish us a merry Christmas. I respectfully ask my loyal readers the same. Merry Christmas (eve)!