A 16 hour plane ride behind us & a full night's sleep, Jij and I are feeling somewhat human in Bangkok! Strangely enough we enjoyed our first meal out at a Japenese restaurant with a French dinner to follow! We will undoubtedly immerse in the Thai culture soon enough.

Phrases such as "sa-wat-dee ka" and "korp kun ka", with a small head bow, are the extent to my current Thai speaking skills!! Jij questions my use of Lonely Planet's Thai Phrasebook as I attempt conversation at the markets!

I can't get enough of the markets...all those fruits and veg!! Jij chuckles (or groans) as I drag him past yet another stand selling just the same as the one before!

I've been pleasantly surprised that Bangkok is much cleaner, more organized, less crowded and not quite as "Americanized" as I had pictured. I will soon be ready to leave the "big city" for smaller, more quaint adventures.

For our time in the city, though, we have been introduced to the saving grace of menthol. Menthol nose inhalers to clear smog-filled nostrils and "prickly heat", a menthol powder to cool sweaty skin! I'll continue to enjoy such small pleasures and will write again when I have more interesting things to "blog" about! Until then..."lah gorn"