Korp Kun Krap

Our attempt to wake up early today was thwarted by blinds and air conditioning.  It appears that hostels can just be too nice.  Actually I'm going to blame Erica for this.  I didn't even hear the alarm, though I'm pretty sure that I wasn't ready to be active before 3.
Despite our late start, we still managed to cram it full.  First things first.  I have a huge map.  Let's say 3 feet squared dedicated to Bangkok.  It's detailed.  Temples, government building, and places of interest abound.  I'm pretty good at navigating by map.  What I'm not good at, apparently, is gauging scale.  Bangkok is MASSIVE!
The skytram that took us to the Chao Phraya River was modern, clean, cheap and overall very impressive.  After getting some of the most delicious juices on the planet (I can't overstate this.  Think of Tropical Punch that comes in a can then imagine that it was made from fresh fruit, picked at it's ripest, and juiced moments before.), we hired a longboat to take us up river.  Not the cheapest way to go, but quite the experience.
We also had our first truly difficult language barrier experience.  Since there was no plan to the day, we merely pointed to where we wanted to be dropped off and decided to explore.  Unfortunately, we couldn't figure out where we were.  It took 15 minutes and an army of Thai map-readers to discover us again.
Having achieved a modicum of competency in foraging, I moved on to haggling.  I managed to procure a few shirts and a new watch.  It's certainly not mastery, but I'm optimistic for the future, especially now that I have the essentials covered.  Speaking of essentials, I also bought a cell phone so I can communicate via voice while in Thailand.  Call me at (66)8-5343-4764, but please bear in mind the time difference.
Kao Sahn road (the center for the backpackers who come through the country) only makes happier with our hostel.  We ran into a Canadian girl who had just arrived in the city and helped her find a hostel just off the road.  Ours may be slightly more money, but her's couldn't compare.  I really didn't care for Kao Sahn road.  I'm sure that the backpackers have seen more of the world than I have, but I wonder how that world looks to them.  It was a very insular example of Thailand offering what they think these travelers want.  Dumbed down food, Western movies and CDs for pennies on the dollar, while cheap nick knacks mix with prostitutes and kitsch bars.
Returning to our home base area, we managed to wander aimlessly, refuel, and scout out the massage parlors.  $200 Bhat for an hour foot/leg massage left us both recharged and sedated.  Definite plans to return for a full body work-over.
Tomorrow we will visit the more of the 'tourist attractions' before making our way to the east to a night market.  It seems that every street offers a world of mystery and enchantment.  I must now retire to sleep.  Getting on this schedule is proving difficult.