Checkout morning. After enjoying the Chinatown area, today is the day to check into a hotel near Siam station. I finally have some time to myself. Thinking that such a day has come after a long time made me really happy.
With time before check-in, I headed to the same restaurant as yesterday and ordered exactly the same menu. I thought to myself: rather than curiosity to try something new, the anticipation of "ah, I can eat that now" always wins. Once I find something delicious, I tend to go back to it.
And the exact same menu as yesterday. As expected, it was really delicious.
The black notebook at Starbucks and organizing my thoughts
After the meal I went to Starbucks. With a black ballpoint pen in a black notebook, I wrote down what I'm feeling now. What I'm feeling now. Love. Unforgettable lingering feelings.
It was full of such complicated emotions. Still, the act of writing my thoughts in a notebook feels like it washes out my head. Feeling once again that it's a really good habit, I spent about two hours at Starbucks.
Khao man gai in Chinatown
After Starbucks I went to a famous khao man gai restaurant. It's a shop inside a shopping center right in the middle of Chinatown, with a rating of about 4.5.
I went with high expectations thinking it must be really good, and it truly was incredibly delicious. The chicken was absolutely exquisite. It became a restaurant I definitely want to visit again when I come to Thailand.
New base, Red pin inn
Moving to a new hotel. I walked again carrying an 18 kg backpack. Today's place is called "Red pin inn," and it seemed to be run by Chinese owners.
The room was very cheap yet clean and nice. The location was also extremely good. And yet, for some reason there were hardly any guests. I wonder if there is a reason. I'm not sure, but I plan to stay here for a week.
Reunion with Lewis — beer, darts, billiards
After finishing check-in, I felt a little tired. But I had received a message from Lewis, whom I met on the trip, saying he'd like to meet again.
He apparently changed his flight to Sunday, so we decided to meet one last time. I wrote a message on the card I had failed to hand over last time and left the hotel. It was already 9:30 p.m. Nana station is quite a distance, but since I love walking, I arrived in no time.
Lewis also loves walking and apparently walked 30,000 steps today. I thought this was exactly what "birds of a feather flock together" means.
We met up and headed to a place with billiards, but it was so crowded that seats filled up immediately. For the time being we ordered beers and talked about various things while drinking.
Time to talk about each other's values and outlook on life. Honestly, what I want is these deep conversations rather than billiards. Lewis takes these talks seriously too, so I felt he is truly a good friend.
Then we tried darts. It was free to play, and Lewis kindly taught me the rules since I didn't know them. At first I kept getting gutters, but midway I hit the bullseye. Lewis always reacts with "Nice control!" and gives me a fist bump. He's really fun to be with.
After finishing the beers and darts, a billiard table had just opened up. 30 minutes for 90 baht for two games. This billiard table was much smoother than the place we’d been before, and the balls rolled beautifully. It was correspondingly more difficult, but just watching the elegant movement of the balls was enjoyable.
Late-night conversation — talks about Britain and the world
After billiards we continued the conversation outside. The differences between the UK, Great Britain, and England. The political backgrounds of Scotland and Wales. The stereotype that the French and the British dislike each other. It was a very stimulating time, full of things I didn't know.
Before I knew it, it was 1 a.m. I have a meeting at 9 a.m. tomorrow, so I have to head back soon.
When I handed Lewis the card, he was very happy. We promised, "This time let's meet in England!" and said goodbye.
A once-in-a-lifetime encounter, and until the day we can meet again
I was truly happy to have such an unexpected reunion. This is exactly the joy of travel, I think. A once-in-a-lifetime encounter. And I want to continue to cherish this good connection going forward.
