I'm suprisingly alive and in Ayutthaya

Getting off the plane and through customs was a breeze (although I did have several people in the airport touting their cab service to me). The challenges started the second I stepped foot outside into a hot cloud of steam Thai people must call air.

I was told that to avoid certain schemes based on ripping you off on getting a taxi or tuk tuk to Bangkok that I should head up to the Departures drop-off and get a taxi that had just dropped someone off... but that the cops hate you doing it, so watch out!

To my luck there were no cops in sight! A guy approached me... "500 Bangkok. Deal?" He held out his hand... "Deal?"

No deal. I tell him "Meter." and he blabs something that isn't "Meter. Deal." so I turn my back and walk to the next guy. "Hualamphong. Meter." I say to him. He starts giving me this "400 (something something) meter" nonsense and so I write him off as well.

The third guy was the charm and I got my metered taxi to Houlamphong for 240 Baht... at least it should have been!

It you're not aware, people don't tip in Thailand. This guy got about a 60b tip because he said he had no change for my 500b bill... maybe he was being honest, but I doubted it. However, I was simply too flustered to bother with him and needed to get my train ticket. So I told him to enjoy his tip and headed inside.

I've been here for about 24 hours and I've already developed the mentality that if anyone talks to me, ignore them. Maybe that's bad... but, whatever. As a result, I feel bad for ignoring people that actually want to help me. I ignore this chick who is saying the typical, "Sir? Where are you going?" nonsense that I had heard was a premium "I want to sell you my service" line. I ignore her 3 times before turning to her and saying "Ayutthaya" to hopefully get rid of her. She quickly checks a scheduling card and says, "You in luck! Train leaves in 15 minutes. Go to that line and buy your ticket." Bless that lady. The place was a madhouse, and I was confused as hell.

I even ignored another man trying to help me get on the right train... but I eventually listened and got on the right one. Of course it didn't leave until about an hour later ("Mai ben rai" eh?), but the ride was awesome. I unfortunately didn't get my camera out for it, but next time i take the train i will.

Man... I guess I'm rambling now. Long story short: Got into town, took a wrong road and the hour was growing late... so I took a tuk tuk to my destination. They were booked, but i found a place accross the way. Showered (man that felt good) and hit the hay.

Sorry for the lame post, no pics! I'll update it later.