Back in Bangkok

At 5am today I arrived back in bangkok. I'm not sure if I'll ever catch up on the blogging, but I will do my best as I am continually surprised by how many people read my posts. I am currently having a bit trouble with Internet here, for my NETbook refuses to connect to the NET. Luckily for me Steve has destroyed any semblance of haveing a normal sleep schedule durring songkhran, and is still asleep at 4:30pm, leaveing his computer open for me to peruse Windows tech forums online. My frustration is mounting, however, and the klong that our balcony overlooks is a more and more tempting destination for me to send the laptop.

I must appologize in advance for my lack of pictures of the songkhran holiday. Please understand, it is a water festival, and its nearly impossible to get pictures without risking the camera--and i just got a new one.

I went down to the money changers on Khao San Road today (none of whom changed Kip (lao money) into baht) and the effects of the red shirt violence were clearly evident in the emptyness of the road. what was usually a bustling pain in the ass to walk through was a leisurly stroll. Even the usually annoyingly eager suit salesmen seemed resigned to the fact that business was going to be tough. I only had one approach me (usually i get about 5 or 6 durring a walk down the street).

While I was in the area I thought I would stop by the Democracy Monument and see what damage had been done. When I got there there was a small press conference going on with the Deputy of Fine Arts talking about what restoration was needed. Although I couldnt understand what he was saying, he pointed out all of the graffiti and bullet-holes on it. Ill have pictures to post if I ever get my netbook working again. Which I am losing hope for rather quickly given that I just ran every applicable update I can find and its still nothing more than an expensive paperweight