Night Trains

We made it to Bangkok just fine this morning. There's loads to say about this bustling city, we're only outlining some thoughts on the night train for now.

We took buses everywhere but Thailand and China, but we got healthy doses of train travel in both places.

Night Train Contrasts:

1. In Thailand, cold bottled water is available for sale in the train. Boiling water is available in Chinese trains, but not if you don't have a container suitable for it!

2. As soon as we boarded, dinner and breakfast were offered to us at our seats in the Thai train. We'd stocked up on food for the ride because in China, that's how it's done. No meals at the seats there unless you're awake when a lady happens by with fried vegetables and rice.

3. Boisterous French neighbors were a brand new addition to our Asian train travels. The most riotous (and rotund) couple kept half the car up trying to fit into the their pull-out beds. They were delightful.

4. Last night, everyone had curtains around their beds! What a difference this would have made in China, where the stares never wane.

5. The Thai train was devoid of pop junk music or tv!

6. There was no set bedtime on the Thai train and each compartment was equipped with a reading light. On the Chinese train, everyone dutifully goes to bed at the designated time.

So, again, we experienced luxurious Thailand! Not to say China's devoid of luxury, you've just got to work harder for it. And when you find it there, by God, you know you've earned it!