Back to Bangkok, Friday, November 13, 2009

Up at 7:30, stretched and dressed. I again had a breakfast of mixed fruit. After working on my diary I packed and asked for a ride to the bus station, paying my bill of 2160B. The tours were 1500B, the room was 400B and the food was 260B. I paid 2500B, saying 'tips.' She seemed to understand. Joseph seems like the kind of person who would do the right thing with tips. I asked where I could dispose of my pants. The woman took them and said thanks. I don't think anyone will wear them again.

The pickup taxi arrived by 11 and I had my 139B ticket to Bangkok by 11:30. I bought 2 dough buns filled with a rice mixture in one and red bean paste in the other, for 12B. Ate them before the bus arrived. I got on the bus about 11:50, giving my backpack to the ticket taker for placement in the luggage compartment, as directed. I had both seats to myself all the way back. The bus didn't stop except to drop off passengers along the way. Someone handed out cokes at the beginning, which I refused, and cold water later on, and a small hand wipe towel, in a sealed bag, at the end of the ride. I was in the rear of the bus. Not right in front of the toilet, but I got a whiff of the odor from it every time someone used it.

The trip took just over 2 hours. I walked to the BTS Mo Chit station, about 25 minutes, then rode for half an hour to the Ekkamai station, then walked nearly 20 minutes to Bill's apartment, arriving at 3:25. Oye and child had arrived at noon, after a 16 hour minivan ride, and were sleeping with Bill. Oye heard me and woke Bill. We talked briefly and Bill went to work. Oye went back to bed.

I moved my suitcase to Roger's apartment, then went out to get an add on card for my phone. The 100B card added 15 days, making my phone good til the 28th, 2 days after I fly out of Bangkok. I rested and read some, then went down to get something for dinner. I was too tired to go any distance, so I bought 2 instant noodle packages from the parking lot vendor, for 12B. Roger's hot water pot soon heated enough water for the noodles. I tried to watch a movie, but couldn't get the sound track to play. I went to bed early, about 10.


So my outlay for today is 2763B, $83, which includes the 2 night and 2 tour Greenleaf GH bill and 100B on the phone, plus 40B deducted from my BTS card.