Goodbye Thailand, off to India!

I am still in Thailand and about to head out to India in an hour to the airport. I have a couple friends to meet up with, but I really have not planned a lot for India. A friend is going to come pick me up at the airport and I get to stay with him and his family. I know them through a very good mutual friend from the University of Minnesota. I don't know how after nearly 3 months of travel, I still have such good luck.

I like Thailand a lot, but the main problem is the abundance of tourism. People expect money and prey on those that they think they can get the most money from. If you dare, and I recommend to do so, venture outside the touristy areas, you will find that Thai people are amazingly nice and interesting people. I managed to visit some of the touristy areas in Bangkok, but those outside the dreaded Khao San Road area, which means that they are much nicer. Khao San Road is the epicenter of all people coming to Southeast Asia to let loose, travel for a couple weeks or live what they call the so-called hippy life of a traveler. Khao San Road used to be far less everything only just ten years ago, but with the abundance of cheap flights, Lonely Planet travel guides and everything else that encourages wanderlust, the place has utterly flourished. Although, I'm not sure flourished is the right word. Many people might know the area from the infamous move The Beach with Leonardo Di Caprio.

I saw the Grand Palace today, which is truly grand and was created in the 1700s as the new center of the Rama government. Everything seems to be adorned with gold and brightly and intricately painted scenes of legendary tales. Also, I visited the market surrounding Thamasaat University, which was full of yummy eats, Buddha idols, knick-knacks, clothes and everything else that reminded me of a bizarre garage sale. Thamasaat University was my second choice for my study abroad, but some how I was chosen for my first choice in Taiwan. After visiting tons of markets including one of the largest night markets in the world (which was very fashionable and trendy) and the very jaw dropping Chatuchak Market (the best I have seen for clothes shopping, although the sizes are on the smaller side).

I most definitely enjoyed Thailand, but I am think I am ready to head onto India, well as ready as anyone could be for such a complex and intense country.