In One End, Out the Other

It seems that some of my recent blog posts have left you concerned, dear readers. Fear not. I definitely have a case of culture shock, but I'm doing just fine. Or I will be fine. So far Chiang Mai is a bit more tame than Bangkok.

My good friend Kristen told me she saw some kids on the street holding up a sign that said "traveling and hungry." She thought of me and gave them money. Isn't she sweet?! This is the same girl who gave me a harmonica as a going-away present when I left NY. The harmonica was to be my Plan B. If money runs low, blow. Luckily, I haven't had to resort to busking, but it was one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received :)

I'm sure I face many more challenges in Thailand, but hunger will not be one of them. Food is ridiculously cheap here. It is most economical to buy your food from the countless street vendors. It also happens to the be the best food. It has the freshest ingredients and it is cooked right in front of you. I've been lucky enough to find non-spicy options; that was my biggest concern. The fresh fruit is really good too... just make sure you get something that is peeled. I got a big bag of pineapple for 80 cents yesterday. Bottled water, a necessity, costs a measly 10 cents.

I'm still adapting to the practice of street eating (streating?). I wish you could sit on the curb, but no one seems to do this and curb space is at a premium. Also, it feels funny just to stand there. So I stroll around eating my food with no particular destination. I have not yet mastered the art of walking/eating at the same time. I almost choked on a spring roll yesterday. I don't see anyone walking around with trash, but I don't see any trash cans either. Not sure what the deal is there. Am I the only one bringing trash home to my hotel?

Given the prevalence of streating, I would think there would be more public bathrooms. Nope. Am I the only one holding it in all day until I get home to my hotel? And the hotel situation is just as confusing. I see lots of signs saying: "Do not put tissue in toilet bowl." Then why do they provide toilet paper?! Are you supposed to put it in the trash can? Wouldn't that make the room smelly and gross? Most toilets have a little hose next to them. I think I've figured out that this is to spray yourself clean. So then is the toilet paper only for drying purposes and it's not as stinky to throw in the trash can? If you don't use the toilet paper in some capacity, your pants are going to be all wet. It's a mystery to me.

I realize the blog has become urine-obsessed lately. This is the sad state of my life. I'm not sure how it all came to this. I thought I'd been potty-trained for a good quarter-century, but there is still so much to learn.