What's The Capital of Thailand?

If your rusty on capitals and/or American Pie 2 quotes, the answer is Bangkok. We traced back to the major landmass of Thailand following a taxi, ferry, and another long bus ride north to Bangkok. We finally arrived in the early evening and immediately snagged a taxi to take us to KhoaSan Road. Unfortunately, we were already pretty much there as our driver looped around the block and took us to the opposite side of the main street. Blaring tunes accompanied by teenage break-dancers and neon lights dominated the tightly packed street carrying a scent of delicious Pad Thai and exotic fruit. We made it to the D & D Inn hotel and were lucky to book a room for our one and only night in Bangkok. The receptionist joyfully gave Garrett and I a chuckle, as we identified our first lady boy of many. We were now vigilant.

 Friends from Dartmouth that had been working in the area, Thea (also with the great last name, Sutton) and Tara, were so kind to meet up with us and show us around the streets for some Friday night fun. It was pleasant having these two smiling faces guide us around. We sat down on a patio that overlooked the street scene, chatted for a bit, and polished off a Singha beer tower before taking back to the streets. The girls introduced us to some delicious exotic fruit that tasted like jolly ranchers prior to picking up a round of inexpensive chicken kebabs. After, we were directed to the Brick House, a popular live music bar where local college students gathered for some singing and dancing. Along the way, I witnessed a tall and large footed transgender attempt to grab Garrett’s arm. Garrett quickly shrugged him off and left the man falling backwards to the curb where he belonged. We had made it to the bar and were introduced to the Thai Sea.

It was extremely different being in a bar where we were the only white people in the crowd. Thai friends gathered with us for pictures as we enjoyed the longhaired blonde drummer rock his face off with his band of brothers. Our crew of four purchased drinks at the lower bar and walked upstairs in hopes of a better view of the performance. College students held down the upstairs with little room to move so we ended up getting a table to really relish the moment. People watching had never been so fun. It was early in the morning and the lights flickered, signaling it was time to leave. One college student in particular did not have as much fun as the rest of the bar. She lay swaying and incoherent face down on the bench as her friends attempted to help her down the stairs. She continued by striking at her helping friends and instigating a madhouse. Luckily, we were able to swiftly slip by the scene and head downstairs out of the commotion. We proceeded back on the streets, noticing that little had changed since we first went in the bar. With people persisting to dance and shadow the street, we agreed to stop at the Lava Club for a different view of Bangkok nightlife. Once again, great music and friendly people made the club a fun place to cap the night. The morning pushed further and we said our goodbyes to the pair of T’s as we made it back to the D & D Inn for a comfortable night of sleep before leaving for Vietnam the next day.