Fri 3/12/2004 11:53 PM

I arrived in one piece last night in Bangkok... what a shock... to be back in the modern world!!

After two months in India, my perception adjusted... the airport when I first arrived in India looked like the dumpiest greyhound bus station

you can imagine. Things are dirty, stained, cracked, etc etc etc

Every clock has a different time... Airport workers pee wherever they like, right outside in arrivals, why not!!! Then, when I left India last night, I noticed none of these things because I guess I got used to it???

So, to arrive in Bangkok, with everything modern, good roads, clean hotels and restaurants, working cars (WITH SEATBELTS!!), things functioning, no bovines blocking roads, was a shock in reverse! And, I think I am ready for my return to civilization...

Bangkok is 12 hours ahead, so whatever time it is in CFO, it is the same time here, only reverse night and day.

The US is WAY behind on cell phones (no offense Karen - I'm sure good things are in the works in the US) - I bought a SIM chip at 7-Eleven here in Bangkok for $5 USD (the SIM chip was $2 USD in Bombay!) and as soon as my phone charges I will plug it in. Calls are $0.10 a minute from my own phone. I will send the number in a separate email...

Hope everyone is well,

Steve