First day in Bangkok

Day One.

Something tells me we're not in Kansas anymore. My first impression of Bangkok is that it's a combination of The Emerald city, the sets of Los Angelos  in  Blade Runner, and  my memories of  Mexico City, only much hotter. Spent the day trying to learn the lay of the land...which is impossible given the way this giant city sprawls. It has no center,it has centers. The public transportation involves the sky train, a subway, taxis, ferries, Tuk Tuks (large gof carts), motor scooters and your feet--often a combination for one trip. Traffic  makes Rome look like the drive in the country.

Went to Bang Loc, the old section also known  as the Backpackers's section--90% of the teeming crowd is Scandinavian, somewhat stoned, spsorting a spirit patch (if male) and dreads if female)--or vice versa. Actually they  look like they work at the Ceres Bakery . This last crack is for Penny and Emily. The section is like the largest head shop you've ever seen--a tangled web of alleys filled with massage shops, noodle restarants, carved elephants.  Manyof the stores sell the clothing we bought  for  the  trip only really,  really  cheaper.