The hell of long-haul travel (and in which I confirm I have already been lost and hit up a night market)

Hi there Internet! I am finally here! I am in Thailand and have been here in Bangkok for just under 12 hours already and some of which was actually spent exploring. Well how about that!

Firstly, I want to spend a few words talking about the trip. Now unless you are flying one of the “posh classes” (a lovely description for First and Business Classes from one of my fellow passengers at one of the gates during this endless process of getting here), any long-haul flight is not going to be fun if you are flying “cattle class” (otherwise known as Economy that the rest of us fly if we are lucky enough to go anywhere). An 18-and-a-half-hour journey is not going to be fun whichever way you cut it. From the 9-and-a-half hours to Dubai in close quarters with a stranger and at an odd time not conducive to allowing insomniacs like me to sleep or the 6-and-a half hours to Bangkok, with a by now exhausted traveller whose leg room has suddenly been slashed on the second plane. But really none of that compared to the unpleasantness in Dubai airport. Now, nobody was responsible for the aggressive 36-degree centigrade heat that had a miasma to it which made my eyes fog over and pour with irritated tears but the policies and disinterest of the staff was a new one. For the connecting flight, I ended up having to go through security check-points 3 times in Dubai, taking my liquids, my laptop and my watch off every time, not to mention hauling my hand luggage up into plastic trays on waist high conveyor belts and trying not to lose my cushions along the way. What I did nearly lose was my watch when it was clearly flung around with such force that it was thrown from its plastic bin and onto the conveyor belt. The airport staff didn’t even want to look for it for me, insisting I must have left it in my bag when I had specifically put it in a tray as I had explicitly been told to do by their instructions. Sure enough, it was on the conveyor belt and they didn’t care at all. Having to be without a watch or replacing it on the trip was an eventuality that did not put me in a good mood. It got worse when I got to my gate. The veritable Sea of Humanity (should I trademark that for airport use?) covered every available seat, lounger and slightly raised surface. Passengers were sitting on the floor or standing. After leaving to go brush my teeth, I ended up back having to stand in the way of other passengers because the standing room was monopolised too.

Needless to say, when I finally landed in Bangkok, I was thoroughly relieved to be off planes, surrounded by happy, smiling, helpful people and heading towards my accommodation, a shower and some fresh clothes. The trains were easy to catch and transit through, after my thorough internet research and some help from train staff along the way. I even assisted some other tourists in their purchase of train tickets, I was so proud of myself.

It was only when hauling my bags down stairs from the Skytrain to the street below in a bit too much clothing and not knowing where to go next, that things went a little haywire. It all started when I realised there were at least 3 ways to get down to the street from the station and I was not too sure which was the best way of going about it. I was happy to use my nice new unlimited internet to use Google Maps to get around, but Google confused me and sent me everywhere but where I was supposed to go. In the end I actually chose the right exit, but I was hauling suitcases in the heat because of the stupid maps.

In my accommodation I was thrilled to get out of my gear and jump in the shower. So exciting not to have to worry about using a little extra water to clean oneself, unlike in Cape Town with the drought and the water restrictions. Then it was off to get some food and check out some places on my list. Google maps confused me again during the search for food (that is twice already if you were counting).

When I got back to the hotel, I almost wanted to pack it in and go to bed, but I thought I can’t do that, especially not on my first day, even after all the flights. So, I decided to hit up one of the night markets. It was already late and I was exhausted, thus I knew it had to be one of the close by markets. I went for Nana Night Market because it is close to where I am staying near Asok BTS station. And then I got lost, again, this time my fault. Unlike the other two times when I was aimlessly going in circles but generally heading in the right way. This time I headed off completely in the opposite direction to where I should have gone, mainly because I misunderstood the manager at reception about where to turn right after I left the front door. This time Google maps got me right. (Yes, I counted too, that’s three times in one day…)

Nana Night Market certainly was an experience, so much so I did not feel it would have been prudent to take photos of some of the goings on while I was there. The market itself was something typical of a Chinatown back home in South Africa. Full of imported goods, counterfeit everything and enough cute stuff to drown in sugar. The quality was not there and, in the end, I didn’t buy anything (I hate having to haggle!) but I did almost overdose on so much Hello Kitty merchandise. Then there was just the sea of Thai people and tourists thronging the streets after 10PM on a Thursday night, including young children. Then there were the ladies of negotiable affection, thronging the streets with their just-so makeup, tight outfits, perfect hair and unbelievable figures. Either congregating around the expensive hotels or the chosen foreign men. Plus, the horrendously drunk British couple yelling at each other, far too drunk to even think about addressing their problem and lurching along the street, crossing paths twice with any unlucky traveller unfortunate enough to be retracing her steps (me!). But ridiculously drunk couple aside, Nana Night Market had such an interesting mix of dichotomies and well worth it, if not for the shopping itself.

Then tomorrow it should be proper touristing (yes, I am well aware it’s not an actual word but excessive exhaustion is setting in and I think it’s funny) I’m now unpacked and should have everything on hand and will need the red hat go with and protect me from the sun… The hat’s adventures start soon?