Ayutthaya

Sunday, usually a day of rest, but since it's really my only day off (yes, I tutor babies Saturday a.m.) I must use it well. Christina and I decided to venture out of the city for a day trip to Ayutthaya, one of Thailand, then Siam's capitol. It dates back to 1375 when it was then founded by the then king....(all this according to Lonely Planet of course). We started our day bright and early and found the usual miscommunication with our taxi driver who instead of taking us to the bus terminal took us to the train station. Minor error. He might have been doing us a favor, since the train only cost 20 baht (less than a dollar), for 3rd class, standing-room-only tickets. Once we got to the city we followed some middle aged American travelers from the train station to the ferry, they looked liked they knew what was up. From there we walked a while thinking we would outsmart the harassing tuk-tuk drivers and find our own way to the temples. The heat and long distance made us fold and we met a kind tuk-tuk driver that took us to six sites in three hours for a decent price. As we sealed the deal my mind was replaying the Gilligan Island theme song "a three-hour tour." We saw all the ruins, beautiful in a ruin-esk type way. We also saw some large Buddha's, a man in purple underpants, a Thai tour guide speaking Spanish, etc. By mid-afternoon we were on our way back to BKK, by bus this time. Coincidentally the people we had followed were on the same bus and when we arrived at the bus station they were following us to get back to the metro. We met them, all CDC workers and soon realized how much we don't miss being around highly educated a-holes. Not to be harsh, but honestly if I ever do acquire more education, travel the world further or invent something smart, I hope I never use that to make people feel inferior five minutes after meeting them. Needless to say we did not have dinner together.

On the train there it dawned on me that
a-) I will be turning 22 on Friday
b-) I haven't the slightest clue where I will turn 23
that made me really happy.