So jet lag from opposite sides of the world has proved to be interesting for both of us. Whilst I spring awake in the morning at 7 because it would be 10 at home, Jakob lies flat like a dormant potato, as it has just hit the middle of the night in Austria. This has resulted in later starts than intended, and means that when we return home at 12 I crash into bed whilst he jumps off all the walls.
Day 2 was intended to be a more restful day, setting off at mid day to find china town. Going past the main train station on the way, we decided to check about tickets to depart to Chiangmai in a few days time.
"No, first and second sleeper tickets all sold out"
I had been told that tickets were easy to buy on the day of travel, and felt somewhat betrayed by all the online forum contributors who had blatantly betrayed the trust of those who were promised easy, last minute travel. We were taken to a small "travel agent". Luckily, someone else had bought up all the second sleepers left and was willing to sell us two - at a bargain price of 800 baht extra. Whilst frustrating, we paid when we realised the conversation was an extra $14 each, and that it would probably cost more for a meal at McDonald's back home. Buying the tickets somewhat begrudgingly, we were very glad to have gone into the station to just "have a check".
The day saw us getting involved in all the street food that came to life after the Monday in which (i think) everyone has a day of rest. The streets were brimming with new smells, and we indulged in pork noodle soup, fresh juices and baked goods.
After detours, getting lost and ending up in a locals backyard on the river being offered beer and cards, we reached China Town at 6. The area was alive and bustling with people, shops and rabies animals. What's a rabies animal you ask? Any animal here. Especially when they come at you when you're trying to take a photo and the locals are shocked by your exclaimed " AGHH RABIES DOG".
A corner stall grabbed and held our attention, where we ordered large prawns and octopus that were put on the grill and served fresh and hot. A crispy pork noodle soup that followed proved too spicy for my mild accustomed taste buds.
As the city bustled and the sun went down my excitement grew, as we had tickets to the "hottest lady boy show in Bangkok". Leaving china town, we checked with a massage parlor as to if we would have time for a massage. "No no, no time. You must go now. Take the bus. Cheaper. I'll take you. Come on". As he yelled something at the people in the back, he marched us out the store, down the street and placed us right at the bus stop. "Here, this is the address in Thai, show it to people if you're lost" - and then waited like a parent for the bus to arrive and waved us good bye.
Showing the address to the bus ticket person, he stared at it and handed it back to us before walking off. The bus hurtled forward, with us having little to no idea where to get off. "Hey, this looks nice, maybe we should have a look here and then get back on. We have over an hour until the show". As Jakob went to get up and step off the bus the ticket person jumped up blocking his way "NO!". Obviously, he had decided to take his job of getting westerners from A to B very seriously.
Calypso cabaret , a blur of sets, costume and music, was fantastic fun. The lady boys were beautiful and all the performances were polished and very funny. With the show ending late, people spilled out into the streets, with taxis and tuk tuks waiting by to overcharge tourists. As we have found in Khao San and other popular areas, taxi drivers will refuse to use the meter and instead charge about 3-4 times extra.
As we waited at the bus stop for the bus we swelled with pride at our ability to find our way around the public transport. Even if the locals were looking at us like we were lost, we sure didn't feel that way.
