I am married to a man who is a researcher by heart. This saved us from doing many stupid (and probably illegal) things while on our trip, for which I was grateful for him. (Feeding elephants in Bangkok = $300 fine, possible jail time. Feeding elephants in Phuket while on a guided elephant tour in the jungle? Priceless.) He had our train schedule printed off and had everything figured out a week before we even left for our trip (I'm more of a fly by the seat of my pants, "if we make it, we're meant to!" kind of girl).

We slept beautifully the night before, and got up a couple of hours before we were supposed to meet the train. We left our luggage in our room, because we were going to have breakfast in the hotel restaurant. When we came back to the room, our key card wouldn't work. Ty tried a few times, but it just wouldn't open. We went down to the hotel lobby and asked the desk clerk to have someone try to help us into our room so we could get our luggage and get to the train station on time.

They sent the handyman up to look at it, but the battery had died in the door; we're still not entirely sure what had to happen for us to get in the room. All we knew is that by the time we were back in and had our luggage, it was almost an hour, and the train we were supposed to be on had left the station when we were getting into a taxi to go to the train station.


Pretty, isn't it? It was exciting when we got inside--lots of hustle and bustle, but a very friendly information desk that had English speaking workers. They helped us get our tickets for the next train, and told us our train was on Track 7, and we could board anytime it was there.

We excitedly went to the tracks, and found Track 7. The train was already there, so we stepped on and found a seat. It wasn't that comfortable. And the windows wouldn't come down, so Ty said we should get off and get in a different car. The SECOND we stepped off the train, it started moving.


I have no idea where it was going, but I'm glad Ty made us get out! We waited around for a bit, walked and looked at whatever we could find to keep our interest, and then I felt nature calling.

I have to say, Ty warned me. He did. He said I shouldn't use a public restroom (remember, he researched EVERYTHING before we left). I tried to listen. But I also knew it was a 3 1/2 hour train ride to Hua Hin, and I didn't want to sit cross-legged the whole time. Ty laughed, and we went to find the bathroom. Once again, he warned me. I was two steps in the bathroom when I had to return and ask Ty for money. It was 2 baht (about 6 cents) to use the facilities. (At least I wasn't the only tourist who had to go back and ask her husband for money!) I marched back in, ignoring him chuckling behind me, stood in line, and almost died. Literally. If you are able to die of the smell of ammonia and human waste, I am pretty sure I saw that distant white light. Finally, it was my turn to run and hide in a stall. I closed the door behind me, looked around, and almost cried.

I am spoiled. I really am. I have toilet paper. I have hot, running water. I could drink the water out of my bathroom faucet or bathtub if I really felt like it. I have a clean bathroom. I selfishly expect a clean bathroom. I am spoiled.

I was humbled at what I saw. A small, dirty (very dirty) toilet, with no toilet paper, only a very...used... bidet. I am ashamed to say, I cried a few tears, turned around, and left. I went to wash my hands, and couldn't even dry them. No soap. No towels. Only a long sheet-like towel laid across the sinks that was sopping wet and dripping water onto the floor. And a line of native women behind me who had no problem with what I found in that humble restroom.

I am spoiled.

Our train finally arrived, and we got on board.






















(Yes, that's trash)




























Obviously he doesn't know my husband.

{ Next: Hua Hin }