Day 12 PM--The Night Train to Chang Mai

Once I arrived at the train station, I was asked, "Where you go Mr.?" about 15 times. Interestingly enough, they all gave me the same answer: Track #5. Just like European train tickets, all of the relevant info is printed on the ticket. There is of course no big up-to-the-minute electronic arrivals/departures board. Thus, the need for friendly helpers.

Once on board my train, I was delighted that the only people on the whole train car were near my seats. I boarded early and soon my car would be full. The train car was not in "night sleeper" mode yet and the seats were all still down. Instead of several compartments, this car's seats were arranged with seats facing each other with an isle down the middle of the car. The pale blue paint and dark vinyl seats illuminated by fluorescent lights didn't look that crummy. It all just looked very faded than what I was used to in Europe. It was actually a bit nicer than I anticipated. Maybe I had just prepared for the worst and hoped for the best like I always do.

The attendants came by a couple of times to check if I wanted to order dinner of breakfast. The prices on the train were astronomical compared to Bangkok street food. I decided to stick with the variety of odd Thai snacks and fruit I picked around town. Dragonfruit, mango, an apple, durian chips, a strange dried mango with chili and peanuts, and a strange flavor of Pringles were on my menu tonight. The locals around me had limited English so I forced them to help me practice my Thai. I'm sure I looked like a nerd with my phrasebook in hand as I repeated certain phrases over and over and over and over...After a while I decided to explore and I made friends with two girls on the train (a German and Greek). The place they had booked was in my guidebook and since I hadn't booked anything yet, we made plans to meet up after the journey and make our way together to the guesthouse in Chang Mai.

After everyone had there dinner an attendant came by to fix out bunks. He did it with efficiency and swiftness. Once on my top bunk, I lathered myself with DEET and pushed all of the plastic wrapped bedding aside. I had my own sleeepsheet for just the occasion and better yet, I had treated it with Permethrine before I left. The only thing that separated me and the rest of the compartment was an ugly blue curtain. My bag was locked up on the luggage rack suspended from the ceiling. The a/c and fan combo made it somewhere between pleasant and not horrible. So with the sound of the train chugging its way North and a dark Thailand whizzing by my window, I decided to close my eyes and enjoy the train ride.