big al's big wander: BA to BKK

Buenos Aires to Bangkok. Wow. I had thought that the more you have travelled, the less you become affected by culture shock. Well, I was proved wrong by this cross-atlantic trip - really I had a tough time adjusting to being in Asia at first, and the transition, definitely more than if I just went back to the US, and I've even been to Bangkok before! I think part of it was that I wasn't ready to leave Latin America. I had gotten so used to the rhythm of life there, my Spanish was good enough to get what I needed - it had become so stress free! Ended with a bang in B.A. with visits by Ana, Molly and Todd and we had a busy week of sight-seeing.

B.A. is such a

vibrant, lively city - the steak, the markets, the art, the dancers, the steak! Don't think I was quite ready to leave. And suddenly, well not so suddenly - Sao Paulo, Dubai and layovers, I was in Bangkok. I was met by

my friend Renee at the airport and spent some time catching up with her and her husband Rick and their daughter Raina. About 2 hours after arriving we headed out to dinner and who should come walking down the street as we're waiting for a taxi, but this big fella. Jet-lagged and delirious, I'm sure I blinked a few times. Didn't know how to handle that groping trunk of his either. Can you see how freaked out I am? The next few days I was a bit overwhelmed. Felt strange to be in a foreign country, yet they weren't speaking Spanish. Frustrating to suddenly not be able to communicate. And I couldn't recognize any street food either! But, I gradually adjusted, of course. Lots of nice relaxing down time at Rick and Renee's. Even picked up a bit more Thai, and have returned to one of my favorite travelling hobbies - adventurous street food eating!
Street market in B.A., including a pic of my cousin Deirdre and I. We ran into each other on the street. Unplanned, she lives in Chicago - crazy small world.
Art in B.A.: