Tyler arrived two days ago and we've been cavorting around Bangkok, finally marking some of the touristy things off my list. First, we outfitted him with all the makings of a SE Asia backpacker's uniform on Khao San Road: a Red Bull tanktop, Thai fisherman's pants and knock-off Diesel shorts. Then we headed to the Grand Palace and Wat Po, two of the city's main attractions, both beautiful and impressive.

It's not uncommon to be harassed frequently by touts and vendors trying to lure you to purchase their goods or services, but I've never seen it so bad as we did yesterday around the palace and temple. I am trying to learn to be better about firmly saying no, but I have this fear of being construed as rude and often end up chatting for longer than necessary with people who are eying my "big farang wallet" (farang is Thai for foreigner, specifically us white folks).

Last night I finally had the quintissential Bangkok nightlife experience; a strip show in Patpong. I'd heard legends about girls smoking cigarettes with their vaginas, and had to see it for myself. In the small and rather empty club, six black-light glowing bikini-clad Thai girls with immovable expressions of sheer boredom and perhaps a bit of disdain were dancing unenthusiastically to techno around poles on the stage. Most had numbers pinned to their bikini bottoms, which I understand is to ease the selection process for potential Johns later in the night when the show ends. Judging by their expressions and from what I've read, I assume not all of them were there by choice.

One girl was naked on her back puffing away on a cigarette, just like I'd envisioned. This was followed by several acts involving ping pong balls, darts and balloons, ribbons, bananas, birthday candles, whistles and horns. Midway through the act, I made eye contact with several of the girls who seemed relieved and amused to see a farang woman in the audience. I smiled at them and they seemed to soften a bit and smiled brightly back. They invited me several times to dance onstage with them, which I did for a few minutes but with all my clothes on of course. Figure that's my only chance to do that.

An hour of this was enough and we headed back to Khao San Road to take some photos of the night vendors. After a few Heinekens, Tyler had mustered the courage to try a Thai specialty, fried grasshoppers. The vendor tried to sell him an entire bag, but he opted for just one. He claims they are salty and crunchy, pretty much like any other fried food. I will take his word for it.

We picked up our Laos visas and are on a night train to Vientiane tonight. Bye for now!