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TRAVEL FEATURE - THAILAND ANTONIO FEMIA
HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH
After many months on the Indian Subcontinent , arriving in Thailand felt a bit weird especially if you get there by plane .
Crossing Myanmar by land was too expensive and took uncertain time , so we preferred to ship our bike via plane from Kathmandu . We flew the day after our bike , dressed in winter clothing on a cold sunny morning , landing a few hours later in Bangkok , wrapped in a tropical mugginess . We quarrelled as soon as the airport sliding doors opened , stressed by the wall of sticky heat . It was soon apparent this was a different Asia . A quietly hardworking world , clean and technologically advanced , despite the thousands of street food stalls and monstrous traffic . Thai people ’ s peacefulness is unbearable to us Italians , especially in public offices , highlighted when we went to pick-up our motorbike at the airport on Saturday . The custom office was closed . The Thai Cargo ’ s officer was smiling as we attempted to sink our teeth into his neck while he searched for a solution , continually apologising for the situation . We were too used to the insolence of Italian officialdom ; the collaborative attitude of the Thais scared us . Becoming angry in an Italian way seemed to work and we were credited one day ’ s cost of the shipping .
Many Western tourists concentrate themselves in the chaotic neighbourhood of Khaosan Road . It ’ s a strategic position for visiting the city ’ s many sacred sites and has become itself a centre for profane activities far removed from the religious surrounding it . We were the only stupid visitors who didn ’ t book a place to stay .
Many kilometres of walking and with it many litres of sweat we found a room in an old lady ’ s house . An animal lover , her garden was full of
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