Morning Traffic

So usually, Dan and I walk to school. When we leave the house just before 7am, the walk 20 minutes long and the weather is already hot but its doable.... you sweat a bit, but its not ever as bad as sweating on the walk home at 4:30pm. Once we took the bus, but it turns out its not faster because the traffic is TERRIBLE. Its bumper to bumper for 3 very long blocks and no one is going faster than a very slow crawl. The only people that are getting anywhere fast are the moped taxis, and here is where the story begins!

Today I woke up late and as a result left the house late and was going to be late for school unless I wanted to run. I don't think I will ever run in Bangkok, its way too hot. So the only other alternative to being late was to take THE MOPED TAXI. The moped taxis are these guys with orange vests driving mopeds through morning traffic. If there is a space in front of or in between cars, they will fit in it. If there are not too many cars coming from the other side of the road, they will cross the center line and drive into oncoming traffic. These guys are so crazy! They can violate every moving vehicle law in the US within 2 city blocks. Nevertheless, instead of being late to school this morning, Dan and I decided to take a chance and get moped taxis. So for 20 baht I got there in 5 minutes... and had the most insane ride I have had in my life. Most passengers just sit very calmly like its no big deal. There was a woman in front of me this morning who was sitting side-saddle and not even holding onto the seat. I, on the other hand, was clutching on for dear life. It was probably the riskiest thing I have done since arriving in Thailand, but it was amazing. Dan and I agreed that for 100 baht a week, it might be worth it to sleep in an extra 20 minutes and travel to school in true Thai style.

(PS. Don't worry too much Mom, I have health insurance in Thailand.)