Tuesday, January 17, 2012
My indulgence
Sin City on Drugs
This is probably the most accurate a description I can think of for this place. It's what I thought Bangkok's red light district would be like mixed with Vegas or maybe Cancun. The people who come here are a very weird mix of sleazy old men, some younger people, some older ladies looking to pick up Thai guys, swingers? (Ida's description) and generally anyone looking to get into some trouble and party. There is neon EVERYWHERE, loud music until 4am, bars everywhere (keep in mind I'm describing Bangla Street- where we happened to find our cheap hostel, is also sin centre) with signs that say "husband daycare - leave your husband with us and you only pay for his drinks" and ladyboys and maybe some girls (it's pretty hard to tell the difference some times) line the streets trying to get you to go into their bar and see the ping pong shows. All the bars are open and you can see the dancers from the street. There are even plastic chairs set up along the sides of the street for "spectators" because watching what goes on in this street I definitely entertainment of some sort. At around 9 the showgirl ladyboys come out dressed in Carnival outfits charging 100B to get pictures with them. Scattered in between the bars and tattoo shops (because those of course go together- and they are everywhere just like the strip joints) are alleyways with cheaper food stalls (the food here is WAY overpriced, like 2x any other place I've been) and stores with fakes galore. Anything you could want here you could find. Fake Coach wallet? 300B. Fake Tiffany earrings? 200B. Fake Adidas shoes? 700B. This place is nuts. I even found a Starbucks and McDonalds in the middle of it.
This morning Shannon and I went for breakfast and there were two guys who were taking their "dates" from last night for breakfast, like it as completely normal to be out w ladyboy prostitutes all night then take them for a meal in the am. Another guy walked in with his and we wondered whether it's customary to buy them breakfast? He looked more shameful. Everywhere you looked outside, everyone was doing the walk of shame- wandering home in their high heels and little dresses from the night before and weirdly enough they were mostly locals. All "working"? Shop owners are hosing off their patios and the streets and cleaning the garbage from the beaches from the massive party last night and the one about to start up again in about 8 more hours. I'm glad I had a nap this morning after Shannon left because I know I'll has fun trying to sleep tonight. By the time I get home I'll be able to sleep through anything.
Back on my lonesome again I'm off to get some Pad Thai and go to the beach. I'm going to try to get some last bits of sun and find a somewhat clear beach around here before I fly to Bangkok on the 20th. Two sleeps and counting. Good thing I just got two new books :)
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