These must be some of the smartest people in the world. Everyone that lives here (even little ones) speak a foreign language. In this case, Thai.

Showing him my written directions, I try to ask him how to find the Skytrain . He tries to tell me and I look at him like a mental case that should be under somebody's care. He doesn't speak English well and I do not understand Thai. He motions for me to follow him and he takes me up some stairs and points to some turnstiles. This is where I find the entry and tickets to BKS (Bangkok Sky Train). He turns the other way to go back to where he was headed. So nice of him to go out of his way to help me. Everyone in Bangkok so far has been really friendly and helpful.

We arrived in Bangkok at 3:25 p.m. Friday. After going through immigration where they checked my passport and visa, I headed for the exchange booth. No American dollars accepted in Thailand, so I have to have Thai money to get to my hostel. The exchange rate here is 28.63 baht for $1. I read where there are better exchange rates once in town and that I should just get enough changed here to get to town. I exchanged $40 for 1,145 Baht.

I found the airport rail link to take me to the PhayaThai station, where I would then get on the BKS, (sky train) . It is elevated above the city and widely used transportation. I am told before leaving the U.S. (in forums online) that I would need to get familiar with it because I would be using it a lot while here. The trains have seats along the side under the windows but mostly it is standing up holding onto some hand holds.

I grab a hand hold. There is no room to move, it is so crowded. And, definitely no place left to sit. I have my backpack on which makes it even more crowded for me. But, now I have no idea where to get off. The man sitting on a seat in front of me looks non-thai. I ask, hoping he speaks english, if he know where I get off (showing him my directions). It turns out that he and his wife are from England (so they speak a form of english, ha!). They visit Thailand every year or two for a month at a time. They tell lots of things to do here and assure me I will have a great time. They think they know where I should get off, but are not sure.

A Thai girl next to me speaks up, and, speaking good english, tells me where to exit . Then, another Thai girl, speaking good english, shows me a map.

My friends from England get off at their stop and another couple sits down in front of me. They are from Denmark. Very nice people and fun chatting with them.

I get off the train at my stop and then am lost again. Where to now? No signs about how to get to the Sky Train anywhere. I go down stairs to street level and begin walking, looking. This is where I meet the guy I mentioned at the start of this article that helped me find the Skytrain. You purchase so many bahts of coins at the booth. Then walk to a machine and put in that numbe of bahts. It spits out a plastic ticket. You put this in the turnstile and it disappears. Then it pops back up later on down the turnstile as you pass through. You grab it and go down the ramp. I find my Sky train. Once again, very crowded as it is a popular way around this city of 11 million people. I watch for my exit and see it in time to get off .

Once again, I go down to street level and, following my written directions from my hostel, I get to 1/33 Sukhumvit 11, Sukhuvit Rd, Bangkok 10110 Thailand. I would have walked right past the entrance to Suk 11 Hostel, except that the directions they sent me said it was right next to 7-11. It is 6 p.m. I rode the rails and Sky Train for a couple of hours. Now, I'm home for a few days.

I have to climb 4 flights of stairs. After two days of traveling, the backpack seems extra heavy to climb the flights, but I make it. There is graffiti all over the ceiling and walls. It is encouraged and anything is allowed as long as it is not vulgar or obscene. This is a family hostel.

The room is small, but adequate. $13 U.S. a night. It has a 3/4 size bed, writing table and night stand. I have my own bathroom also. The toilet is in a room connected to the room but there is no sink or shower.

OH, YES, there is . You open the outside door and there is a small balcony. Just wide enough to walk down. At one end is a sink with only one faucet, no hot water. I shave in cold water.

At the other end is the shower. The balcony is open. Anybody can see me use the sink or shower. The shower does have a stall around it. My ankles and head and maybe shoulders will be seen from outside, but the rest is covered. I will have to undress once I get in the shower though and dress before leaving. I will have to leave the room and go outside to the balcony each time to shower.

I shower and look out on the building next door and the alley below. The building seems to be under remodel and the workers are there. I watch the workers right across from me as I shower. Showering this way is either intimidating or liberating, I haven't decided. I hear kids playing in the alley below. No one pays any attention to me and my shower.

The water is only cold water . I think most Thais shower in cold water. There is an add-on unit you can purchase to heat the water if you live here, but you have to have it installed by a plumber. There is one on the wall in this shower, but no buttons I push will make the water hot. Maybe I don't know how to work it. Anyway, the cold water is not really cold. I think the locals mostly don't use hot water. I shower and the water temp doesn't bother me. I guess with the warm climate here all the time the water just doesn't get cold like in the States.

There is a gallon jar of water sitting in the shower stall. I do not know what this is for.

Back inside the room I see daylight through the boards on the font side of the room, towards the hall. It looks like some nail holes and some light comes through where the boards do not overlap. But, there is no cold weather to keep out.

Everything I write is my first impression and what I understand about things here. If I find out different, I will update the information for you. Don't take anything I write as demeaning or judgmental. It's only observations. This is a good land of good people.

Thanks for reading.