In Bangkok and adjusting finally.

[mark28map]

Well I did it!

    After 3 horrific days of cuture shock and being paparazzeed by every street peddler, taxi driver, tour guide and then some; I have finally found a comfortable setting. I decided to do this trip about about a month ago because I recently broke up with my American girlfriend and had decided then that she would be my last American I would date. I dove head first without even going through any dating sites and said I will either sink or swim. I must say the first 3 days were rather humbling and I almost wimped out and came back home. Things are really tough here and the people are very hungry. I say that to mean that they work for every dime they get and try everything in their power to make a living anyway they can.

     Ninety percent of the people are sincere and honest and take pride in everything they do. It took me a couple of days to let my guard down because I thought they were all trying to hussle me. After figuring things out, my perception has changed greatly. These people are grateful for everything they have even though they have little. I tipped a man the other day 3 bucks for a taxi ride that took 25 minutes and he "wai'd" me I guess they call it and bowed his head three times very quickly while walking backwards towards his car.  A wai is folding of their hands near their face while bowing. Its a form of thank you and respect I guess. Anyways, I was moved by his greatfulness and it showed me he didn't expect the gesture from me but took the bonus with great appreciation. Another man explained to me that these people are motivated by "need not greed" which is a refreshing change from the American culture.

    I have learned alot in the few short days that I have been here and dont want to paint this as a  perfect society by any means. There is no short of shady characters. Some taxi drivers try their best to convince you that they are giving you the best deal in the world when they know they are overcharging you but they figure what you dont know wont hurt you. I fell for this move a couple of times and now have wisened up. I cant blame them for trying to maximize an honest living. Its not like he stuck a gun down my throat. The women are everywhere and I mean everywhere. Alot of room for trouble here as well. Prostitution as we might call it, having fun and getting paid is what they call it. The hot to ugly ratio is incredible. I have never been hit on by so many beautiful woman at once in my life. I finally know what celebrities in America get to enjoy on a daily basis. Although I havent indulged in any of these exploits YET I might add. I plan on getting my fill once I have a nice variety of good girls to select from. I am not here to go on a screw mission although I brought plenty of Viagara for this special occasion when the need does arrive.
I will wait until I find that perfect little innocent girl that has no history of street life, good morals and realizes a good catch when she sees it.

I know its to soon for me to speculate since this is only my fourth day here but something tells me I will have things going by the end of this week. I am at the moment just learning the language, tradition and enjoying the wonderful weather. I plan on seeing everything that this jewel of a nation has to offer. I cant wait to send pictures of my future wife because I think all of you will be impressed by my selection. I am thinking 22 to 28 years old, not bad for a 33 year old man. Well I will keep my posts coming, and if any of you have any questions I will do my best to answer them. Until next time, good luck!

Mark

[leather neck]

Hang in there and enjoy the ride. After a few days you will get your wits
and really start to enjoy the place. That is a place that is hard to describe to
your buddies...its one of those, you-had-to-have-been there to understand. If you think it is wild now, should have been there some 20 years ago. Great place to go after a break up with an AW to get the crap out of your head.  Have fun and be safe and watch out for the pretty boys that look like women, no shortage of them either.

Leather neck

[william3rd]

Only take a metered taxi when you travel. Most of them are metered now.

A hundred baht tip-3 bucks- is a pretty nice tip for a taxi ride. BTW- tips are not based on percentages like here. Thais are notoriously bad tippers.

Maybe you will still be there when I come back over. We are waiting for the scheduling of her interview right now. . . . I just sent an email to the consulate to follow up on her letter from a week ago.

If you want any suggestions on places to go etc, you can PM me again. OR post here.

[Marshall K]

Have fun and good hunting!   

[mark28map]

Another great night,

Last night I walked into the bar accross the street from my hotel and a little hottie bartender immediately took a liking to me and became my private bartender. She put me in a seat with a fan directly over my head and got me the coldest heineken with a coozie. We played connect four, some dice game in a box with wood numbers 1-9 in it that flip over and janga. She whooped my ass at all these games and seemed to take great pleasure at beating me. I couldn't understand not one word she was saying other than her asking me if I was a single and what hotel I was staying at. We didn't need to understand each other as for our universal body language was enough. I liked her personality and she liked mine.

After downing about three hienekens and getting buzzed up I decided it was time for me to take a shower and fetch some dinner. I didn't realize that I peeled off two hours there bonding with her through this game play. She seemed very sad that I had to leave and motioned for me to return asap and gave me the saddest puppy eye look believing she would never see me again. I reassured her with a wink that I would be back knowing that I was in the hunting process and she wasn't the one. I felt like a pig even though I didn't do anything wrong but play innocent games with her at the bar but I knew that she wasn't the one.

I am interested in visiting some other places and I am learning that the best places to meet women are at their places of work, so William I am interested in getting some ideas on places to see while I am here. I understand that the Elephant is held sacred and would like to know where the best places to view and experience them. I want to stay within an hour of where I am so any place you suggest I visit keep this in mind. I am schedule to leave April 8th but will probably post pone that. I was thinking about visiting Hanoi in North Vietnam to see the place where Senator John McCain spent some time as a pow. This is mainly so I can avoid having to secure a visa.

I also wouldn't mind finding some nice property to invest in here if that is at all possible. Let me know where its nicest and safest. I wouldn't even know where to begin.

thanks,

Mark

[mark28map]

Holly Moully!

Today was weird. After I made the earlier post I decided to jump into a tuk tuk, a 3 wheeled motor taxi which is basically a basket on a bike. Anyways, the driver quoted me 100 baht which is 3 bucks american for a one hour tour of the city. Now I know there is alot of room for gray area since I cant really understand them, But I decided to live a little and take the plunge. From the moment I jumped on this baby I was holding on for dear life. I thought for sure I was going to be thrown from this contraption or die of smog inhalation. After a couple of minutes, I positioned myself comfortably and settled in for the ride. The driver just kept looking at me in the mirror smiling and rambling on about things I couldn't hear or understand due to the traffic noise and his broken english. I pretty much just nodded my head up and down like I understood everything he was saying as to not offend him.

Little did I know at the time he had just planned a 4 stop tour of all his buddies to try and get my money. First we stop at a travel agency and he sends me in. I tell the guy I don't know why I am here. The man smiles politely laughs and says; "don't worry about it just tell the driver to move on". He then takes me to a suit store so I can check out some middle eastern guys tailor shop and this guy tries every sales pitch in the world to get me to buy his egyptian cotton. After I break out of there, we end up at a budhist temple where he proceeds to show me the custom of removing my shoes and procede towards the fat golden budha, pretty cool by the way; but then I turn around my cabbie is gone. I started to freak out. three monks approached me and told me to sit down and wait because my friend had to use the restroom. I sit indian style while atleast 5 or 6 people enter and exit past me removing their shoes and doing their cermonial thing. One monk came at me with a bowl where I donated a 100 baht. He seemed pleased.

This is where it gets interesting. While waiting in the temple for about 15 minutes without my driver, an older gentlemen in what appeared to be a government worker approached me and asked me several probing questions. I mean he was in my space and out of place. He was very respectful, but locked eyes with me from about 30 yards away and then sat down on his knees right in front of me indian style position touching knees. I was scared out of my mind. Very intimidating. The monks that were near me all seemed to disapear indiscreetly and we were by ourselves. I was in a neighborhood atleast 20 minutes from where the cabbie picked me up and believe me, I was the only westerner there. Anyways, this man was real gentle but forward and asked me about 4 questions. Where I was from, What I was doing in Thailand, How long I would be there, And if I was there for holiday or business. I pretty much lied to him because I didn't want him to know I was there to find a wife. I told him I was a student of photography there on an environmental shoot about the effects of traffic congestion on our global environment. It just came to me considering I was still from the last 30 minutes in the tuk tuk. He seemed to accept my answers as sincere and got up; thanked me for visiting thailand and walked away.
I watched him walk for about 200 yards and then he dissapeared.

It was at this time my driver showed back up and we proceded to a jewelry store and then  back to my hotel. I could go on but just thought I would throw that out there.
Sorry about my grammar here I am typing as fast as I can think. What a weird experience.

Mark

[william3rd]

Most hotels will have a recommended travel agency-that they get a kickback from.

You definitely want to go to the crocodile farm and elephant show-about 40 klics out of Bkk. For major insight on thais and elephants, see if they are running tours of the compound for ten white elephants that Bhumipol takes care of.

The top floors of most malls have photo places and the like with a lot of young women working in the booths. These are girls of the quality that you want to find. Same with the coffee kiosks and other similar shops.

Girls working bars or restaurants at night or being found anywhere near the red light districts should be avoided.

[Dave H]

Hi Mark,

It sounds like you have plenty of stories to tell, after only a few days. If you find a keeper, make sure to check to see if she has a "package" down below before you commit!  Listen to William and keep up the adventure! Have a GREAT time!

Good Luck!

Dave H.

[mark28map]

Well I said I wouldn't and I did.

I met a british guy last night, we got drunk together and roamed over to the NANA PLAZA.
This is the redlight district of the area I am in. Anyways, I wasn't in this place for more than 1 minute and was swarmed by over 100 different beautiful woman. I was really concerned about accidently getting them mixed up with the lady boys so I pretty much insisted to the guy I was with that nothing was going to take place. Well that lasted about 15 minutes. I feel guilty as hell. I walk into this place and girls were sent to me left and right and didn't feel I could get out of there alive if I didn't take one home. I picked the hottest one and told my new friend that I would just take her home and let her give me a back massage and that would be it. He chuckled and said sure that  sounds like a plan. I was serious at the time. I paid my bar fee, the girl I swear didn't look like she was much more than 20 but claimed she was 24 and the bar reassured me that all their ladies were over 18. So I went with it.

After arriving at my hotel, I had to check her in and pay an additional 30 bucks since I was going to have another person in my room. When we finally got to the room, I assured her that she was safe and got her a beer from the refrigerator. I told her that we would not be doing any boom boom and she smiled and seemed to acknowledge that she was fine with that and gestured that she would give only a massage. After that she walked to the bathroom and started to run the water and motioned for me to take a shower. She left the bathroom and I figured o.k. fair enough she doesn't want to smell my nasty sweaty ass. so I took a quick shower and came out in a bath robe. She was watching TV and then got up and went into the bathroom and she started to take a shower. She also came out in a bathrobe.

     One hour later I got my back massage and then some. I couldn't help it. She smelled so good and was so soft and innocent and willing that I was like a little boy going through puberty. I didn't last but 2 minutes. I wore a condom of course but I am ashamed that I did what I did. I dont believe I have ever had a woman in the way that I had her. I am still thinking about it.

    Although it was fun, I didn't feel safe and I am hoping I didn't catch anything. Even with a condom you cant be to sure. We never kissed or did anything real weird other than 2 basic sex positions. Her on top and me on top. Her little body was absolutely stunning. She had the most beautiful teeth, eyes, feet, ass, legs, tits and you name it. She left in the morning after I paid her 3000 baht, and seemed genuinely dissapointed that she was leaving me. I have felt guilty all day. I will not make that mistake again. I didn't come here to party with girls like that. I am going to take williams advice and stay away from the club scene because I have no self control and it is just to damn easy.

I hope you guys dont think differently of me.

Mark

[leather neck]

Hey mark28map,

I have enjoyed reading about your trip, sounds as if you are enjoying yourself. That experience in the temple was rather strange. If I were you, I would not be concerned about what someone thinks of you. "I hope you guys don't think differently of me," you are there for a serious purpose and with good intentions. It is not as though you went there for the purpose of knocking out as much punanny as possible just because you can. Life is short and it is okay to just enjoy yourself from time-to-time, besides, let he who has never acted on the natural desire to seek some fleshly pleasure, cast the first stone and Criticize you. Hope you took your wallet to the bathroom with you, would suck to return to no wallet and no girl. Now that you have gotten that out your system, back to the business of your purpose for the trip.

Good luck to you and stay safe!
 

[mark28map]

Thanks Leatherneck

I appreciate the encouragement and support.  I dont have anything major or interesting to report today. Last night I pretty much stayed in my hotel and reflected on the night before. I hung out by the pool and played with my new video camera. It is a canon XH-A1. I havent used it yet, because I havent felt safe breaking it out. But now that I am getting comfortable here, I am going to start to shoot some good videos and share them at the end. I am checking into a new hotel where I will be able to enjoy a wireless connection from the privacy of my own room. First time on this trip where I will be able to do this, I have been using public internet locations since my arrival. Anyways, I am going to the business district today to find a nice modern mall and seek out some good girls I hope. I will let you know how I am doing tomorrow. Thanks again,

see you later,

Mark

[Dave H]

Hey Mark,

"Well I said I wouldn't and I did."

"One hour later I got my back massage and then some. I couldn't help it. She smelled so good and was so soft and innocent and willing that I was like a little boy going through puberty. I didn't last but 2 minutes. I wore a condom of course but I am ashamed that I did what I did. I dont believe I have ever had a woman in the way that I had her. I am still "thinking about it."

Dude, you scared the Shi'ite out of me! I thought you hooked up with a lady boy! 

"Her little body was absolutely stunning. She had the most beautiful teeth, eyes, feet, ass, legs, tits and you name it."

"Absolutely stunning!" Yes they are! 

"I am ashamed that I did what I did."

You should be ashamed...ashamed because I had a bad shoulder ache last night, took a Percocet and fell asleep without getting anything. Oh wait a minute...your night is our daytime...nevermind..no worries mate!


"I hope you guys dont think differently of me."


"I wouldn't have thought differently if you were drunk and hooked up with a lady boy. Just remember...What happens in Bangkok(or Asia)...stays in Bangkok!!! 

That poor sucker below thinks he found the pot of gold...but he is about to get the surprise of his life when he reaches the end of the rainbow and goes for the gold! 


Dave H.

[william3rd]

Now you can go to Chaopraya Nung. . . . .ask any taxi driver. Shampoo and a massage and . . . . omigod, we will think sooo poorly of you

I told you to stay away from the red light district when looking for a wife. . . .bar girls make lousy wives and you can not reform them.

That innocent little girl has probably had more sex in a year than a married woman of 35 so dont feel so bad. . . .

One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble. . . .
I feel the devil walkin next to me.
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble. . .
I feel an angel walking next to me!!!

[xcited]

Dave,
     You are scaring the crap out of me -- there is no way the girl in that picture is a guy.  If that's a guy, how the heck can you tell when you are out?  Do they make it clear which ones are male and which ones are females?  Doesn't that whole situation cause tons of problems?

I just keep picturing the guy in the shower trying to clean himself "afterwards" in the movie "The Crying Game". 



Xcited

[mark28map]

I am in my new hotel still located near the nana plaza. I have my wireless in my room and feel now I can really do some canvassing. Anyone with any ideas for places to seek hot good girls please go on and suggest. I am done with the bar scene and want to hit something new and innovative. I have about 3 more weeks here and want to make the best of it.

As for the Lady boy thing Dave, let me put it to you this way. If I were to accidentally make a mistake like that I think I would end up in jail because that lady boy would have been thrown from my 14th floor balcony and I would have turned myself in. No fricking way in hell would I let someone get away with that bull [snip]. I mean for real. they need to have a better detection system so things like that dont happen. I was very careful. My first thing with women are their feet. If they dont have sexy feminine feet then I keep moving on no matter how beautiful they might look.

WILLIAM, can you please suggest me a mall that is similar to western style malls. I went to one the other day and it was just like being outside in the markets. every square inch of the mall floor was covered end to end with little kiosks of junk market peddlers. This kind of thing really distracts me. I have a serious case of obsessive compulsive disorder and I find congestion and chaos puts me in a tunnel vision and I cant get out of it. I need a place where I can relax a bit and not be attacked by a peddler. I know this is probably impossible considering Bangkok is among one of the most unnacounted populations in the world but there has got to be something close to this around here.

Oh yeah william, good call on the one night in bangkok rendition. I wont be making that mistake again. Humbled is a great way of putting it. oh yeah, when making suggestions of places to visit, please be very specific. I mean seriously William, what in the hell is 40 clicks anyways? I'm not sniper, I dont understand those dimensions. Work with me here I am in another country!

lol

Mark

[Ray]

...what in the hell is 40 clicks anyways?

40 kliks equals about 24 miles... unless he meant 40 mouse clicks   

[william3rd]

Centrum Lardprao, for one. Siam Plaza and Water Park for another. Looks like you will be leaving before I come over. Tooo bad.

What bars did you hit in Nana? Make sure to visit Patpong-if only for the history.

If you are staying in a regular hotel, then check with the concierge over recommended travel agencies. You can get a minibus tour to just about anything you want to see.

I assume that you have been to Wat Phrae Kao, Wat Arun, and the like.

You may want to visit Bourbon Street and talk to Doug Harrison-he has been there for 20 years.

I still recommend Thai Love Links. A woman would be thrilled if you were in Bangkok to meet her.

[leather neck]

"I told you to stay away from the red light district when looking for a wife. . . .bar girls make lousy wives and you can not reform them."

When he was in that area, it was not a wife he was looking for. He found the thing that red light districts are infamous for.
Now that he has taken care of that itch, he can resume the task of searching for the one.


Leatherneck

[leather neck]

Hey Mark,

I am enjoying this trip as much as you are, and I am not there. Continue to
have fun and savor the moment, you don't get to do your first trip over,
you only have it once.

Be safe and enjoy!


Leatherneck

[william3rd]

Leatherneck, you took my statement out of context from his prior post including the part about how guilty he felt.

[Marshall K]

Mark, I'm enjoying your trip, too! 
My brother lives in Thailand, but he is in Kuwait now working.  He would say make sure you get out of "Sin City"  for at least part of your trip.  I know from experience that there are several million beautiful ladies all over Thailand.  Keep having fun, and remember to listen to your "big head".

[Dave H]

Dave,
     You are scaring the crap out of me -- there is no way the girl in that picture is a guy.  If that's a guy, how the heck can you tell when you are out?  Do they make it clear which ones are male and which ones are females?  Doesn't that whole situation cause tons of problems?

I just keep picturing the guy in the shower trying to clean himself "afterwards" in the movie "The Crying Game". 

Xcited

Hi Xcited,

  I am not sure about Thailand. In the Philippines, I look for subtle signs, Adam's apple, big hands or feet, which are not always present. Most, but not all lady boys over exaggerate their feminine mannerisms. I usually notice guys giggling and teasing when a lady boy is around. Birth certificates commonly have errors as to sex. In the Philippines most guys can't afford to have themselves clipped and inverted...so you might want to give it a look or a grope before you go too far. Just don't try that on a good girl and make sure to pay a bar girl well or risk being charged with rape. All the more reason to avoid the bar scene to meet ladies. If they are sitting with a mini skirt, you might check to see if their package is showing!  No worries mate! I am married and don't partake in extracurricular activity or the bar and street scene!

Hey Mark you might want to make that lady boy's death look like a suicide! On the bright side,  I read that Thailand  doesn't use theuses the firing squad anymore. They now use lethal injection. 

Dave H.

Dave H.

[mark28map]

Today I missed my wife.

It happened so fast. I didn't have time to react. I was running up the stairs towards the BTS sky train. There is about 70 steps to climb in order to get to the concourse. I can see why these people stay so lean. Anyways, I dont know why I was in a hurry. I was heading to the central station to visit the malls William recommended and for some reason I like to scale them as fast as I can just to get it over with.  As I was getting near the top I could hear a train approaching and I picked my pace up a bit to try and catch it. By the time I reached the summit I was winded a bit, and I was satisfied I was going to make it through the throng of people getting off.

As I waited for the last of the remaining passengers to exit before I entered I used the time to catch my breath. My path cleared and I saw my opening to get on and at this same moment I was entering; my future wife was exiting. Time froze for about 5 seconds, we locked eyes while almost colliding but gracefully maneuvered around each other. Her smile mirrored mine and both of us spoke without saying a word. Before I knew it the door was closing and she was disappearing right before my eyes. I blew it and didn't even know it at the time. I didn't realize I was even in a situation where every second counted until it was to late.

As the train departed I leaned down to look out the window and I could see she was still trying to see if I was looking for her. She had the face of a doll and was absolutely gorgeous. She was exactly what I am looking for. I hope she returns tomorrow or even the next next day at the same time because I will be waiting for her to get off. I hope she is looking for me as well. My heart has hurt all day. I haven't experienced this feeling here yet. I hope I get another opportunity with her.

Thats some [snip]ed up [snip]. I gotta shrug this off and move on. But I am still going to hang out there tomorrow and give it a shot. Cant blame me for trying.

Mark

[Dave H]

Hey Mark,


You're post sounds like the James Blunt song! At least she wasn't with another man. That Shiite is going to make me cry!  Skip the stupid song and get back there tommorrow! Good Luck!

"You're Beautiful"

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I'm sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won't lose no sleep on that,
'Cause I've got a plan.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw you face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
[snip]ing high,
And I don't think that I'll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.
You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it's time to face the truth,
I will never be with you."

[mark28map]

I agree.

I just got on itunes and downloaded that song.   Thats exactly how it was too.  What a shame. I just got back from the same spot and no show. I will try again tomorrow.

Havent seen my government dude since the second time so I think I'm safe now......lol

Mark