Indecisiveness...[Entry #15: July 4, 2011]

[Above: The new custom made wood handle for my straight razor]

Entry #15: July 4, 2011

        First and foremost, Happy 4th of July everyone! I wish I were back home to see the fireworks or drink a beer with each of you. What is funny about the whole situation however is that you do not really get to appreciate the things in your life until they are gone, so because I didn't have anywhere to go see fireworks today, it was really all I could think about all day, where as if I were back home I would probably have considered if it was worth the while. The other somewhat humorous thought was today was the last full day I will be in Bangkok at least for the next couple weeks, and I really couldn't decide what I wanted to finish seeing. In the end my day was a bit less then productive. I headed back yet again (3rd time for those counting) towards the center of Bangkok to pick up my custom made wooden handle for my straight razor. The razor I had purchased at an antiques shop in burbs of Chicago and brought with on my travels. Unfortunately the handle (made of some type of plastic) broke apart in transit and I needed to find someone to make me a new piece. I was pleased with the results of the artists work, simple in design but should work well. The only issue, which I was aware of in the first place is he did not want to mess with putting the pin into place, I attempted to find a metal worker near Khao San road (via the instructions of several artisans I asked) but it was a futile attempt. The idea I had was first to get the piece to a functional level and then perhaps do some additional decoration. You may be asking yourself, why Leif are you spending so much time on a silly razor? certainly it is easier and cheaper to just go buy some modern disposable razors and spend your time/money in more productive ways. This question has been present in my mind as well, however the truth is that I feel the art of shaving with a razor is dying, and what is opening my eyes is that many 'crafts' are becoming relegated to commercial markets. In attempting to find artisans to do work for me, I am fighting against the rampant consumerism that has consumed much of the world. To find anyone making, or even willing to repair a simple object is a difficult process, but worth the while I hope. In the end I will own a truly unique item, with a great story of how it came to be produced.

        After my failed attempts to secure an artisan to work on the next step of my razor I opted to return to the hotel for a little R&R before figuring out how to spend my last night in BKK (Bangkok). Luckily I was treated to a conversation with a close friend and then received an invite to have dinner with yet another. I explained that since it was the 4th of July I really wanted to do something to remind me of home, so we opted to go eat Pizza. I know it sounds bizarre, but the meal was very satisfying much better then some pizza I have had when traveling before, and something so small made me feel a little bit closer to home, if even for only a couple hours. I had searched high and low to see if any ex-patriots or foreigners would be throwing any sort of 4th of July bash, but had not been so lucky to find any. I am sure that somewhere in Bangkok people were celebrating, but I just didn't happen to be lucky enough to stumble across them. The last mission for the day was to decide what to do with my future plans for tomorrow, as I will be checking out of my room soon. Via some quick internet researching as well as speaking with a travel agency I decided that my initial thought of going down to Samuai island was not really economically feasible at this point. At least not to fly, I can however take a train but was a little disheartened to hear it would take approximately 14 hours. So I believe I will opt for staying in Ayutthaya for a couple days before heading further north. I have to be in Chiang mai in about a week, so at least I will be heading in the right direction.

        Final impressions of Bangkok: I must admit when I first came to the city I was a little overwhelmed and discouraged, but after learning the local transit systems, getting my feet about me and tasting the flavors and seeing some of the sights the city really is worth take the time to get accustomed to. A week ago I was itching to get away from here, but I can honestly say that the city has warmed to me a bit, and I will enjoy returning in the future if only for a brief while. The city is busy, hot, crowded but this flurry of activity keeps you on your toes and looking for more, I feel as though you could spend a year here in the city and not experience everything, but I am looking forward to the next leg of my journey.