El Cheapo-Lah

I, along with my friend Quinn, have officially been dubbed "the quintessential cheap travelers" by some of the exchange students. And what a fabulous title it is! Quinn and I have really only traveled together on our very first trip while in Southeast Asia when we went to Kuala Lumpur with a bunch of others. We saw to it that we stayed in the cheapest place possible -- we tried to convince the hostel to let five of us stay in a double bedroom (to no avail, however). And it's not like we don't have money to travel, we just don't want to spend it. Plus it's more fun! How could shoving five people into a tiny bedroom not be a good time? Sleepover!!!

Cheap travel is a fabulous idea for a number of really good reasons. First of all, we are in Southeast Asia, a relatively not-so-rich region when compared to America. Exchange rates are low, food is cheap, accommodation and travel are priced for "what you get." What I want is an authentic experience here, not some first-class airplane that will give me a warm towel, a hotel that will make my bedsheets everyday, or a huge gourmet meal that I can't even finish. I can get that stuff anywhere. That's not Southeast Asia, that's tourist, and that's not me.

I want to stay in a cheap hostel that reeks of the pad thai stand outside. Or that has a squatter just like every other facility in the area. Or that has the same rickety floors and hard bed like every neighborhood home. If I can't stay with a real family, I at least want to try to live like one, or as close to that as I can come. I know that staying in a hostel is world away from what real life is like in these areas, but I take what I can get.

Anyways Kuala Lumpur is really the only time Quinn and I have actually been really cheap together, the rest has all been talk. But I welcome the title with open arms. Laos and Cambodia cultural excursion here we come!!!

Church of Raptor Jesus

Thailand is not Christian. Thailand is Buddhist. So why is it that I saw a few churches on my bus ride between Phuket and Khao Sok? Oh thats right, the tsunami. The missionaries must have taken advantage of the disaster and used their volunteering trip to impose their beliefs on others. I should probably shutup before I offend somebody though. :)

Thailand Highlights!!

I'm too lazy to write all about the trip, so I'll just jot down some highlights so I don't forget. If you want to know more, just ask!!

Pre-departure Highlights:
-Travellator!
-Cookie tasting

Koh Samui Highlights:
-Delicious Red Snapper at Out of Africa
-Turning our first night in Chaweng upside down
-Riding three to a moped, really fast, for about 30 km
-Not remembering BK
Koh Samui Low Lights:
-Missing out on the Full Moon Party, the whole reason we went.

Bangkok Highlights:
-Chatuchak Weekend Market
-Khaoson Road!!
-Drinking on the street
-Elephants chillin on the sidewalk
-Getting ripped off by many a tuk-tuk driver
-Seeing the reclining Buddha
-Ping-pong POP!!
-Hanging out at the Pad Thai stand after hours
-Staying up til sunrise singing the classics in a mix of Thai and English with the locals
-My new bff, the rastafarian Thai from Reggae Bar
Bangkok Lowlights:
-Having my horoscope from the Golden Mount read "Forthcoming child will be a baby boy"
-Only being there for three days!

Khao Sok Highlights:
-Getting lost on my own in the jungle
-Hiking through a cave in neck-deep water
-Gorgeous scenery!
-Watching Thai kids swim in the stream with all their clothes on
Khao Sok Lowlights:
-Leeches. Lots of leeches.