Wait, I got a little ahead of myself – I forgot Bangkok! Let’s put India on hold for a moment and pop back over to Thailand.

BANGKOK, THAILAND
I hate Bangkok. I’ve always hated Bangkok. I’ve never been in Bangkok and thought, “I don’t hate this place.” But you know what I realized this time?

It’s not Bangkok’s fault. Bangkok is an astoundingly dynamic city that oozes awesome from every fetid gutter, glittering skyscraper and dude selling meat on a stick. It’s crazier than New York, friendlier than Tokyo and throws parties DC can’t even imagine.

But I’ve never stayed here long enough to get that. I’ve been in and out of Bangkok eight times and it’s never more than a layover – my Bangkok is a city of limbo, a steamy purgatory, a place to think about what you just left and what the hell is going to happen next.

Maybe one day I’ll figure this place out. Today is not that day.