Friday 19th November 2004
Great day!
My philosophy worked! I woke up feeling very negative, dragged myself to breakfast saw Catherine, the Canadian from the trip yesterday. She's going to Chiang Mai tomorrow. Met a Belgian fellow at breakfast too called Claude. He is going up to Chiang Rai today and then to Laos where he is leading a tour. He had lots of tips and advice on Laos, which made me feel more positive. Popped out to Khao San Road to see if I could find somewhere to get a bus ticket to Cambodia. No way am I going to be buying a ticket here. It seems like a rip-off. Besides I want to try getting off the backpacker conveyer belt and see about an alternative border crossing. I'll try public transport, that'll be fun!
Anyway after feeling so negative this morning and unable to face the world I decided to just get out there and see what came my way. I went to Wat Po and the Grand Palace (described only by photos) and I had a Thai massage in the Wat po massage school. That was possibly the turning point of the day as far as my feelings went. That was the best thing so far. I left Wat Po feeling energized and relaxed and it must have shown on my face too. I met a really nice girl on the river boat. She's a student called Pat and she was with her friends from University. She seemed very keen to practice her English on me telling how she likes Manchester United. She wants to meet me tomorrow with her friends for lunch in the centre of town. That's great! I've made a friend and I've got a local "guide" for the day because I've not been to Siam Centre yet.
Slight downside of the day is that there is no room available at the New World tomorrow night, so I will have to find somewhere else to stay.
