Wow, I'm embarrassed how long it's been!

OK so, first of all, I got my new, extra large passport (it's so pretty!) and have it all up to date from Thailand. I'm officially, 100% legal now. Which is a giant godamn deal for no reason. I might as well list Thai Immigration as my permanent residence, because I've spent nearly every Monday for the past two months there. They really, really don't want people to stay in this country. Well so be it, I'll be out by April. So long and thanks for all the fish.

My last few adventures involved a trip to Victory Monument to try Boat Noodle Alley. This was something I only recently heard of, and that's why Bangkok is an amazing city - there's always some thing you never knew about, that you probably have walked by 100 times. Boat Noodle Alley is this well, alley, tucked back in the maze of what is Victory Monument Station. It's a line of restaurants along the canal serving up bowl after bowl of noodles for 12 baht. (35 cents). Yes, 35 cents. Granted they're not giant bowls, it's like Cup-of-Soup style. But that's the point - you see how many you can stuff down, because they cost nothing. The name comes from back when the canal was used for transport, the drivers didn't have time to eat a meal - just the minute or so when things were being loaded and unloaded. Hence came the small amounts of food, in an oversized bowl to keep from spilling as the boat rocked. This is hands down, my favorite place to eat in Thailand. That evening, we went to a party that I have little recollection of, so I knew it was good. On the way back home, I stopped at Boat Noodle Alley again, to polish off another 6 bowls. I love this place and I want to marry it.

Also on the agenda was the Bangkok Art and Culture Center. Pros: Free. Conveniently located. Good for an hour or two. Cons: What the hell am I seeing? Basically an experimental (read: weird) art place. I don't get it. I know Ella is into art, and I could appreciate the Art Museum we went to a few weeks ago - I mean, that stuff is hard to do. But this... it's just weird for the sake of being weird I think. The star of the show was a man and a woman in a kitchen, painted top to bottom in green. The man was "yelling" at the girl using nothing but an "H" sound for about 3 minutes. Boom. Cut, credits!

What. The. Fuck.

We had a run to Khao San later, but not before stopping off to Wat Rakhangkhositraram Woramahavihan - because screw you, brevity! Supposedly it has a giant pigeon colony, and maybe it does, but perhaps earlier in the afternoon. It was a pretty average Wat overall, albeit with a prettier than average interior.

The next weekend was a trip to find a church that was supposedly beautiful. And it was, but TripAdvisor... man, where to begin. I've used you before. Sometimes you have a lot of stuff to do. But you are just so inaccurate. Either the place you're referencing has been gone for 5 years, or in the case of this church, was on the complete opposite side of town. Get it together, guys. Ella was kind enough to take me clothes shopping, because let's be honest, I am a fashion disaster. Like, how is it possible to know what looks good and what does not? It covers my body, and that's about the limit of my knowledge. On the way back we passed Japan Fest 2014, in which there were a bunch of cosplayers and a concert. It appeared to be winding down which was a shame, I wish I would've gone out there when it was in full swing.

We had a night of drinking with some friends, and the next day went out to find the best fried rice in the city (IMO). It's the place I ate at my first weekend here, and sure enough, the little street vendor lady is still serving it up. I remember the first time there were more vegetables, but ah well. That area used to be covered with protestors, so the museum there is now open - about King Rama VII. Just for comparison, currently Thailand has King Rama IX, the nephew of VII. VIII was not King for an overly long time, so there's not too much to write about him. The VII seemed like a nice person, but I just found the museum a bit boring. After we headed out to the floating market, Khlong Latmayom. It was pretty small and not overly exceptional, but had a few mildly interesting things. I think the best floating market is one I randomly came across near Pattaya when I went to Nong Nooch. Maybe one day I'll figure out where the heck that was. I've been keeping a list of stuff I want to do in Bangkok, and although it started quite large, Ella and I have really put a dent in it. There's not too much left, I feel I'm kind of over the hump in terms of stuff to do. But just like Taipei, there's always some weird spot you've never been to before that can surprise you. I'm sure Bangkok has a lot, and I'm looking forward to seeking them out.