A Guesthouse Surprise
October 3. Greetings from the Long Luck Guesthouse, where I am staying in Bangkok. This morning, I woke up to a surprise right in front of me—a small visitor staring back at me from my bed.
Cute, yes, but before admiring it, I quickly checked the sheets. My first thought was whether it had left behind any mess. The guesthouse has strict rules about fines for accidents, and I honestly panicked for a moment. Fortunately, all was fine, and I could start my day without trouble.
Today was mainly dedicated to work. I had planned to stay at my laptop from morning until evening, and for the most part, that’s exactly what I did.
Evening Walk and a Closed Stall
By evening, I wanted a short break. I changed clothes and headed to a nearby stall that serves ramen-style noodles. But when I arrived, it didn’t look open.
An orange sign caught my eye, covered in Thai writing. Curious, I took a photo and translated it on my phone. The result: disappointment. The shop wasn’t serving today. Perhaps on Monday, I thought—I’d have to try again.
One thing I’ve learned here is that many small stalls don’t always follow predictable schedules. Without information online, you just have to walk there and see for yourself.
A New Smoothie Shop
Instead, I walked over to a new smoothie stall a friend had recommended. I ordered one for 50 baht (about 223 yen).
This shop’s smoothies came in larger portions than others I had tried. Cold, fruity, and refreshing, it was exactly what I needed after a long day of sitting indoors.
Midnight Hunger and a Friendly Owner
Later that night, I felt hungry again. I stepped out into the quiet streets and soon found another noodle stall—one I hadn’t noticed before.
The owner greeted me with warmth, his friendliness immediately putting me at ease. He served me a bowl of ramen-style noodles. The taste wasn’t quite like Japanese ramen, but it carried enough of a resemblance to bring back a wave of nostalgia.
Thin noodles, a light broth, and a touch of something familiar—it was simple, but comforting.
Meeting a Former Boxer
As we talked, I learned the owner was once a professional boxer. To my surprise, he had even fought in Japan during his career. His strong build and presence still carried the aura of an athlete, though now softened by age and experience.
It struck me how much combat sports are a part of everyday life here. While walking the streets, I often notice people watching live broadcasts. Whenever I ask, it usually turns out to be a boxing match. Of course, this is Thailand, a country famous for Muay Thai and a deep love of martial arts.
That night ended not only with a satisfying meal but also with the story of a man who had lived in two worlds—one of fighting, and one of hospitality.
Reflections of the Day
Looking back, the day began with a small scare at the guesthouse, passed through hours of work, detours to food stalls, and ended with a chance encounter with a former boxer.
This is the rhythm of Bangkok for me: little surprises, small frustrations, refreshing tastes, and human connections that add weight to the journey.
It wasn’t extraordinary in the usual sense, but it felt real, and for that, I’m grateful.
