Bangkok

I feel like I'm back in DC, though the transvestite prostitues have been replaced by sleazy old American and British men walking around with young Thai girls. The concrete buildings and traffic jams feel like home. I'm going to try and take a boat down the canal to the post office and the Golden Mount, just to remind myself I'm in a foreign country. Though there's more asians than in DC, there's a lot of Middle Eastern and Ehtiopian immigrants in the neighborhood where I'm staying, as well as tons of American and European tourists, so it really does look like home in some ways.

I'm here getting some care at Bumrungrad Hospital, and so far the experience puts the American medical system to shame. I simply emailed the hospital the day before I arrived with a description of my problem, and they had me set up with an appointment for the day after I arrived. They had me immediately see the correct specialist, and the tests he ordered are all scheduled for the same day less than a week from now. And it all comes to less than a tenth, maybe 1/20th of the US cost. Amazing what life is like when I have money (as compared to the local population). I wonder what the standard of care is like for the average Thai citizen?