if One Night in Bangkok

makes a hard man humble and the tough guys tumble...what does 20 nights do? The song, though a fictional chess parable, is actually pretty accurate. When you're here, the world IS your oyster, but the pearls sure as hell ain't free. They are paid for with sweat, stink, vomit, confusion, and frustration....but are well worth it.

Since I've been here this second time I've worshipped at the temples...I've indulged in the spicy cuisine...I've been constant food for the mosquitoes and plagued with half dollar sized bites...I've been stricken with a severe fever...and have drunkenly thrown up on several streets in the downtown while clubbers and transvestites looked on.

That being said -- my three weeks here has been exceptionally fun thus far...but in all honesty I feel a little bit anxious to head home. I probably just need to find an air-conditioned apartment and get some privacy. Communal life definitely does not suit me. Well...only another 11 months to go.