Arrival

Getting off the plane in Suwanapoom Airport in Bangkok was like stepping into a strange dream. I smelt it long before I saw it, as the strange and unforgettable odor came in like an unseen mist and filled the cabin memories of past visits suddenly exploded in my mind; everything that was Thailand to me was encompassed by this smell and memories I thought I'd lost returned like an unrelenting flood.
The airport itself is massive, you can see it stretch out along the tarmac for what seems like miles. It's modern, it's air-conditioned, and it's one of the most crowded places I ever been to. I arrived at around 11:35 but did not actually get out of the Immigration Line until almost two hours later, stuck between a Malay family and a creepy English old guy who kept looking at the Malay's young boy I had nothing to do but practice my Thai until I got to the checkout counter. After I grabbed my baggage a Thai guy walks right up to me, places my bags on a cart and leads me to the exit, where we begin a desperate search for my family (who now had been waiting for at least an hour and a half). My cousin and one of the kids are the first to spot me and they bring me to a van with the others. I'm introduced to my cousins sons (whose English is surprisingly fluid) and we take off in the crazy Bangkok traffic for my first meal in Thailand (and since leaving Taipei).
We arrived at a large shopping complex (there's a lot here) and in the food court we go to a Chinese place called "MK" where I we get hotpot and buns and I am fed till bursting, while sitting across from the boys as I catch up with my cuz's.
At home I am greeted by my aunt and am placed in my room upstairs. Later I would be brought to mass (all in Thai) where I nearly fell asleep in my pew and was brought back early so I could pass out properly, propped up next to the air-conditioner vent.