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(Laos)
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(Philippines)
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(Philippines)
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(Philippines)
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(Philippines)
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(Cambodia)
Apr 2016

Plum Village
(Thailand)
Mar 2016

Manila
(Philippines)
Feb 2016

Cebu
(Philippines)
Dec 2015

CDO
(Philippines)
May 2013

29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye

Location: Empo Hostel, On Nut neighborhood, Bangkok, Thailand

Hostel Trouble
I'd been privy to the backdoor troubles plaguing my hostel - Empo Hostel. Too many people claiming ownership, too many shady maneuverings and a few casualties in the process. Everyone made compelling arguments why they were right and why everyone else is wrong. It was hard to believe who was lying or who was truthful. At some point, contents were being removed or sold. Then a notice came that the hostel would be "closed for renovation" on Sept. 24. Everybody had to move out. The date coincided with my flight out of Thailand, so it was great timing.

But in the haste of the "current owner" to sell everything off before the "other owner" took over, she sold just about everything in the hostel including the lockers with my laptop and passport in it - she didn't care. Getting them again is a whole story unto itself involving the police and a long taxi ride.

I'm just glad I'm not in that role where I have to keep a tight guard on ownership to stop others from taking it. Come to think of it, not being burdened by ownership is bliss. I only own a laptop and old clothes. No money, no land, no property. I don't have to worry about a leak on the roof, oil change on the car or mortgage payments, or even watering the plants...feeling the lightness of being!

PEOPLESCAPE

...every face, a story

Eunice
A stay in Bangkok without catching-up with Eunice is not an option. We met at her usual hangout, Bonita Cafe and Social Club and spent the afternoon trading narratives. She seems to have a single-minded focus on her spiritual path. We are on the same path but perhaps on different routes with different chosen destinations (yes, it's not always enlightenment or heaven). Others take refuge on a guru and others meditate in a cave. I choose to stay on the default world and hurdle its challenges in compliance with my tenets of right and wrong. I would have had a farewell lunch with her, but I had to get back my laptop that was wrongly sold by the hostel owner...long story.

Chai
Chai has been pretty much my buddy in Bangkok for this visit - my go-to person for, "hey....you up for coffee?". She's like an onion - you keep peeling and you discover layered dimensions to her. From pretty-face to hard-core climber during our UP Mountaineers days, to yogini-freediver in our Cebu days and here in Bangkok, I saw how fast she took on Thailand's left-side driving with competent derring-do on the gas, her even keel even when it gets annoying, and her solid grounding (head above shoulders) on difficult situations. I'm sure I haven't seen the last of her (and I surely hope I haven't). The more I get to know her, the more endearing she gets.

Mar
We didn't hangout much, but he grows on you - mild mannered, soft spoken, reliable and a decent person. At least from my lenses, that's how I see him. I met him in Chiang Mai through Chai and hungout with him (together with the Amphawa Crew) as he took on being our tour guide in the floating markets of Amphawa and Damnoen.

After an art show, Mar took us to his favorite waterhole, Clockwork Bar and Cafe. He was like a fish thrown back into the water as his friends welcomed him back to sing popular cover songs. I haven't been in a bar with friends for the longest time. It was a great fun-filled evening of friendship, beer and music.

We planned on meeting up to discuss moves about his passion for art, but somehow, it didn't happen. Perhaps another day.

Marcela
I met Marcela on the Little India Walking Tour. She felt light and pleasant to be with (no energy-draining heaviness). We kept in touch and met up at a cafe with another tour acquaintance, Saimatee (who gifted me coffee from Laos...thanks again). Marcela felt like an old friend....you know that comfort level when you're wearing an old glove or old shoe that fits you comfortably? We walked around Asok, stopped by another coffee shop and just leisurely talked. It was effortless and fluid. I'm sure to connect with her even from a distance.

Reza
Reza is an Iranian traveler who stayed at my hostel. He was a lovable character. Like me, he had no money so he offered to help clean the hostel. Me, I got my barter lodging by doing a promotional online campaign. We were essentially winging our travels and doing what it takes to survive the game. Reza was always positive and thankful. We would share our food and trade stories. I remembered what he said, "In life I only like exercise, sex and travel." He's getting some? Good for him.

Jessi
Jessi was a hostel guest also where I was staying. We would talk at the lobby like ants stopping when they meet someone. She's interesting. As a flight attendant, she's tall and beautiful. But she came to Bangkok with a single-minded purpose: Muay Thai. And she's dead serious about it. She works out 2x/day totaling 4 hours. And she does it daily. No time for touristy shopping or sight seeing, her Bangkok existence was Muay Thai, rest, eat...back to Muay Thai. I saw her unblemished the first time. In the ensuing days, I saw her black and bruised from all the elbows, knees and punches. Beauty and brawl - that's Jessi for you.

7-Eleven
I am grateful for all the help I received from the 7-Eleven people. I'm not sure if it's their orientation as staff but when I asked them where the nearest police station was, after explaining to them the hotel owner sold the locker with my laptop and passport in it, the supervisor sent Billy to drive me down to the police station in Phra Khanong on his motorbike. Billy stayed with me inside the station acting as interpreter to the police.

In another episode, when I bought a Thai sim at 7-Eleven, I asked them to install everything for me. Even though the store was busy and there was a line, the staff took the trouble to install the sim and load up everything that needed to be loaded up - it took a while.

Wow, in this day and age of corporate greed, it's good to know that there is a big convenience store chain that actually cares. For their good deeds, I am featuring a free logo placement of 7-Eleven on all my Bangkok blogs.

ladyboy or hot babe? I don't know!

NEXT Flight Website
I was able to develop a website for a client whose business was to create an onward booking flight document for a cheap $6 - NEXT Flight. Immigration and the airline check-in counter demands an onward flight booking to allow you departure or entry to a country - an assurance you won't be overstaying. But what if you don't know yet how long you want to stay in the country? What if you still don't know where to go after? Should you make that booking knowing fully well you might end up canceling and payng a hefty penalty for it? It's one of those rules that serve a purpose but inherently flawed.

Ending Thoughts
My Bangkok mini-life these 29 days were pretty simple: online work with my laptop, gym workout and a few socials. That's it. Even though it has been productive, I think I've spent way too much time on my laptop. I guess I can't help it either - with not enough money as a cushion, I had to keep pitching online. I wish I had enough just to be able to go with some friends for night outs. But even that proved too restrictive as I have already dipped into my Yangon budget.

At any rate, I'm still very privileged - 24 days barter lodging, barter deal on unlimited gym use, a little money on the side, hostel offer for my next visit, meaningful work on my laptop, sumptuous cheap Thai food to grace my palate on every meal, being in Bangkok where energy is pulsing, meeting new friends to add dimension to my stay and of course old friends for that familiar grounding.

For everything that was, thank you Bangkok !!!

--- TheLoneRider
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

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Bangkok Map

Bangkok, Thailand

HOTEL

Adventure Hostel Bangkok - N7 BTS train stop, dorm rooms, great for solo travelers, laundry, roof deck, entertainment center, kitchen, all-day tea-coffee, fridge, clean
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai

RESTAURANT

Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant - N7 BTS train stop, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, clean & hygienic, fresh green leafy vegetables
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai

SPA / WELLNESS

Bangkok Float Center - experience a surreal sensory immersion as you effortlessly float on 10 inches of water, 5-stars from 524 Tripadvisor reviews
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)

 GYM| YOGA

Now's Fitness Bangkok - gym equipment, yoga, Muay Thai, boxing, fitness trainer, cafe, healthy food
726 Soi On Nut 14 Rd, Khwaeng Suan Luang, Khet Suan Luang, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250

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