Lazy Man's Yoga...

After my last meeting yesterday, I decided to walk home (which turned out to be a long walk once I realized I was going the wrong direction and had to turn back...). It became longer when I ducked into a mall for some A/C since I was dripping sweat...and longer still when it started pouring and I ducked into a coffee shop. And then very long when I decided to get a traditional thai massage.

"Lazy man's yoga"is what many nickname traditional thai massage. Thai massage "generally takes place on a large padded mat on the floor. Therapists use a mix of massage, yoga, acupressure and stretching to open the body physically and energetically. Unlike other forms of massage, you wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes and although you're relaxed, you're fully involved during a treatment, breathing and communicating with the therapist [OR WOULD BE IF THEY SPOKE ENGLISH] as they gently [um...depending on your definition of gentlye...] contort and knead your body."


This picture is definitely something they did yesterday. But actually, it was great. I chose a spa connected with a thai massage school so as not to end up anywhere sketchy. I told them soft-to-normal pressure since it was my first time. Parts definitely hurt and were tough but I enjoyed it and certainly counted it as my workout for the day :) 1 hour, all for 400 bhat (about $15 USD).

Unfortunately the weather delayed my getting home even more. It was raining (okay pouring rain and lightening) and no taxi's would take me because my hotel was on the other side of the big street and there was no way to get there on the road without going miles out of the way (whoever designed this main street did not do a good job). As I walking down a side street I kept ducking into places and looking for somewhere to stop. I happened upon a bar, saw that it was all white men and Thai women so kept going. Then I came to an alley with a wood bar, a few stools, with the name "cheap charlies" Perfect. Grabbed a stool and bought a cheap beer which came in a koozie (even better). Started chatting with a British woman who was in Thailand teaching at an international school and we waited out the storm. (You might be wondering why I did not stop and buy an umbrella...I thought about it but since I was leaving so soon it just seemed like a waste of money...and much too practical).

So, bags are packed and we are heading out for our last night in Bangkok. Flight leaves at 7am...6 hours to Tokyo, 13 hours to Chicago, 2 hours to DC. Big question is how much to sleep tonight before getting up at 4:30am...little to none most likely so as to hopefully sleep a lot on the trip.

Will post remaining pics of Bangkok once I get homes.

Thanks for reading during the whirlwind month (time flies!)

Until next time...