Impressions...

1st impression of Thailand: I'll tell you once I get out of Bangkok. I am not enamored of the city, to say the least. The phrase that came to mind as we were riding in a taxi through the city was "devoid of life". In HCMC, you always see people on the streets, on bikes, on anything you could devise. In Bangkok, there are mostly cars. This accounts for the SMOG. You have to be careful breathing in that city. I might be scarred permanently. *shudder*

Second Impression of Thailand: Ugh. Misery has been given new meaning. The heat is a pressing, driving, ever-present force that sucks all moisture from the toxic air. I feel unclean from just walking out to breakfast. Granted, I was walking super-slow to keep up with Kenai, but still. By the end of our first day out of the city, I was so thirsty I thought I might pass out. Not fun.

Third Impression of Thailand: Wow! This place has totally redeemed itself! Natural water slides, elephant snot, and praying to a Buddha in a cave are all added to my list of "Firsts" which you will be privy to shortly.

So all in all, not a great trip, but not horrid either. Would I recommend it to tourists? Haha, sure. If you have a death wish. If not, avoid Bangkok. Air and water put aside, the people are rude and crossing the street is a risky endeavor because of it. I got the impression that anyone there would not hestitate to kill a pedestrian in cold blood, then go out to dinner with no regrets. Haha, so don't go there.