11. Bangkok

So this week we got to Bangkok after a long long trip in a minivan shared with 10 asian people and a crazy driver who bribed a policeman not to get a speeding ticket. Luckily the city of angels, as Bangkok is known, didn’t disappoint me. It is filled with its beautifully decorated temples, giant golden Buddhas, colourful food markets and lively canals.

It is funny that apart from really touristic spots, the rest of the city is almost tourist-free. Some of the former spots include Khaosan Road, which we have dubbed “guirilandia” in Spanish, meaning a place full of tacky foreigners, listening to American music while eating a hamburger and thinking "wow, this is so exotic" and the Grand Palace, where they fool you into buying an expensive entrance for seeing basically an emerald Buddha surrounded by sweaty Japanese and loud Italians.

In these touristy areas, people seem to be quite cranky, but elsewhere they welcome you with broad smiles and always try to help you out. We managed to find a couple of very good places to eat there, all of them under 2 euros a meal (!!). There is one great family owned restaurant, with the typical grandmother and 100% traditional food (with the spicy tuned down a bit, luckily!). Another place is a library/restaurant owned by a British expat and a Thai cook… a great combo! And finally, the guest house we are in right now is very comfy and has great staff too.

With all this, I could say it’s been a great pleasure being here, but I must confess I am more than ever counting the days (or rather the hours) to get back home and eat mom-cooked meals, sleep in my bed and see all my friends and family. Home, sweet home.