Greetings from Bangkok! After a seventeen hour flight from JFK, Tim Snyder and I arrived safely in Bangkok at about 4PM local time. I was not looking forward to being on a jet for so long but it wasn't too bad. I passed the time reading, enjoying the Thai hospitality, and--thank God--sleeping. I enjoyed spending the time with Dr. Snyder. You really get to know a lot about a person when you fly half way around the world with someone!
We were out of the airport in about fifteen minutes. By the time we walked to the luggage area, our things were there and we were able to pass through immigration and customs quickly. It was great to see Father Nash waiting for us in the arrivals hall. Soon we were on our way to our hotel. My initial impression of Bangkok is very positive. It is large modern city with an excellent transportation system (although Father Nash tells me the streets are sinking!). I was just thinking that Bangkok reminded me of Los Angeles when Father Nash said, "Bangkok is very much like LA in that there is no one distinct downtown area." You can see clusters of high rise buildings dispersed throughout the city and mixed in with more traditional residential areas.
After washing up and getting changed, Dr. Snyder and I had dinner with Father Nash. We were in an outdoor restaurant by the river. The restaurant had great views of the boats on the river. Every so often a large, brilliantly illuminated boat filled with young people partying would pass by. Father Nash suggested that Dr. Snyder and I might like to join them. I don't want to speak for Tim but if there was ever a night I didn't feel like a disco cruise tonight is the night! I'm wiped out!
Tomorrow, we are going to Mass at Assumption University and then we have a free afternoon.
That's all for now. I hope all is well in Charm City. Take care, Father Linnane
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