Motorbike street vendors

Today I found a nicer guest house down the road then the one I was at. This room was 300 baht (100 less than what I already had) and it had A/C, a fridge, a fan, and a television! The planets must have aligned. The only problem? I had already paid a week in advance at the current place. I lifted my patch and showed my staph infection and basically explained how contagious it was and how they didn't want me there anyways. This surprisingly worked. I got my money back and went down the street!
I splurged today and had 150 baht meal that consisted of chicken, shitake mushrooms, and veggies: 150 baht. As I was walking out I took a quick picture of this little girl with an interesting look on her face as her mother sold some veggies out of their motorcycle/mobile veggie thing. I love the Winnie the Pooh stickers and the general over all safety of this setup/sarcasm/. This isn't too bad though I'm going to try to get a picture of atleast 4 humans and maybe 1 animal on a bike. I've seen it.

Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Elephant size

I decided I would take a stroll down my block and visit some of the tourist traps. I've been getting a lot of stares because I am wearing a huge patch on my face but it's alright. I couldn't help but notice this advert for a large pair of pants. I wonder if anybody who may be overweight actually caused a scene over this?
Went down to the beach today and had a nice little surf session. I then sat back and watched a ladyboy volleyball game, no homo. They are intense.

Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Why?

This morning I woke up in my room. 90 degrees farenheit. No a/c. No TV. No internet. I walked over and hosed myself down in my shower, if you can call it a shower. I stared at myself in the mirror as I hand wash the only clothes I currently own: 3 tshirts, 2 shorts, and 1 pair of jeans. I look up to the mirror again to check up on what is currently growing on my face. I have an MRSA staph infection expanding on the side of my face. Shirtless, sweaty, and sleepy I apply my meds and hit the streets. I am currently in Phuket, Thailand. My mother emails me, "Why not just come home?"
"Why?" Is a question that I have often been asked by family, friends and co-workers back home. Why leave on a vacation to go eat cheap food, stay in run down rooms, and put myself in constant danger? (hitchhiking, sub-par healthcare, etc) Why take the 27 hour bus across 2 countries in Africa when I can actually fly for 10 dollars more? The answer is because I am not on vacation. To vacation or holiday is strictly to enjoy yourself. To vacation or holiday abroad is to enjoy yourself in a different country. When I travel, I travel to learn, to experience, and to have a bit of an adventure. I try to immerse myself as much as possible in the country's true culture--not the Mickey Mouse tourist cookie cutter shit you find across the globe. Yes, I understand this type of tourism is what supports many communities, it's just not my cup of tea.
Why write this blog? Im not sure. But I feel I have to tell a story! I just want a light hearted travel blog I guess. I hope that by writing this blog and updating it as frequently as possible that people can see through my eyes. People can see the beauty in the poverty that I often see across the world. My life's priorities have been radically modified because of my travels and I hope to open the eyes of some folks back home. Your Iphone is not that important!
On a lighter note, I hope to simply post a picture a day and give some insight. I do not claim in any way to be an expert, I am a student of this world as are all of us. Join me on my journey!

Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand