After jumping off the overnight train from the Laos boarder we headed straight to the center of Thailand's concrete jungle and posh commercial center of Thailand, Siam Square. In the hub of the city we were overwhelmed by the hustle and bussel of this developed city. We marched by delux movie theaters, skinny new skyscrapers, and fancy boutiques with our heavy backpacks. We were dazzled by the way sky train tracks twisted and crisscrossed with overpasses in the mix of thousands on foot. As busy it was, it still didn't seem chaotic.
We ducked into one building and when we came out the busy streets of Siam Square came to a griding halt. All subways, sky trains, roadways, and pedestrians came to a spooky standstill to allow for a presidential convoy to pass. This happened twice in as many days the Asian Summit was to be held days later, security was at its highest. As the crowds began to move we were off to search for a hotel.
We tried to splurge for once but the nice hotels were outwardly reluctant to offer rooms to two scrubby backpackers who haven't showered in a few days.
After showering at a cheaper quest house and looking semi-presentable, we decided to treat ourselves to gourmet ice lattes at a ritzy cafe that overlooked the Mae Nam Chao Phraya river. We filled our hot sweaty bodies with cool beverages while rich Europeans ordered fancy appetizers around us. After such strong gustatory delights comes washroom visits. While Matt was doing his business, he removed our money belt from his waist. He placed it on the lamp stand in the swanky washroom.
We learned a lesson that day. We must do a better job of splitting up the money, and never, ever remove the money belt, even if you think it might fall into the toilet or that you might poop on it.
Feeling a little low on cash, we decided to go to the gourmet imported food supermarket a Siam Square. It was the most upscale food store that we have ever seen. The samples were prepared like tapas. After making a few rounds with a cart as to not draw suspicion, we left with our tummies full and grins back on our faces.
We ducked into one building and when we came out the busy streets of Siam Square came to a griding halt. All subways, sky trains, roadways, and pedestrians came to a spooky standstill to allow for a presidential convoy to pass. This happened twice in as many days the Asian Summit was to be held days later, security was at its highest. As the crowds began to move we were off to search for a hotel.
We tried to splurge for once but the nice hotels were outwardly reluctant to offer rooms to two scrubby backpackers who haven't showered in a few days.
After showering at a cheaper quest house and looking semi-presentable, we decided to treat ourselves to gourmet ice lattes at a ritzy cafe that overlooked the Mae Nam Chao Phraya river. We filled our hot sweaty bodies with cool beverages while rich Europeans ordered fancy appetizers around us. After such strong gustatory delights comes washroom visits. While Matt was doing his business, he removed our money belt from his waist. He placed it on the lamp stand in the swanky washroom.
Thirty minutes later while enjoying the view from the balcony, in a moment of panicked realization, it occurred to him that he had left the money belt in the washroom. We lost $300.00 in Thai baht that day. Lucky for us none of our American currency, bank cards, credit cards, or passports were taken. We were a bit cheesed that some richy was walkin' around with our money. Had it been a poor man or something we would have at least thought “they probably need it more than we do”. Anyways it turned into a big deal with many police with machine guns blocking off and questioning all those within the area.
We learned a lesson that day. We must do a better job of splitting up the money, and never, ever remove the money belt, even if you think it might fall into the toilet or that you might poop on it.
Feeling a little low on cash, we decided to go to the gourmet imported food supermarket a Siam Square. It was the most upscale food store that we have ever seen. The samples were prepared like tapas. After making a few rounds with a cart as to not draw suspicion, we left with our tummies full and grins back on our faces.
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