30$ in 24 hours

That's Australian dollars.

I am in Bangkok with an exact day layover and with only 30$ AUD in my pocket, I make a conversion (924 Baht) and a little prayer.

Let's explain how I got here, though, since it is pretty ridiculous. I had originally booked my crazy ticket around the world through Amber, my STA travel agent. The ticket to Bangkok was from Sydney. She asked me how/when I'd like to get to Sydney and since I didn't know my post-exam travel plans, I told her not to worry about it - that I'd get it. So I did and since it's me, I got the cheapest flight 80$ AUD (with carbon offset) leaving Brisbane at 8:30AM on Sunday morning from the international terminal. I had to wake up at 5am in order to get there on time to deal with the ridiculous rules about checking in (if not checked in 90 minutes before flight-> lose seat; since it's Australia, no online check-in). I get to Sydney, spend 14$ to store my luggage for the day (big backpack and box of medical supplies) and take a train (14$ round trip) to the city. Get there, walk around Farmer's market, chinatown, have some lunch, walk for a long time, then come back at 7pm for my 9:55pm flight. I check-in to my flight and much to my surprise note that there's a layover in Brisbane. What the fuck, Amber? I emailed her (free internet in airport) and asked her if she hated me, then went in for some more waiting around. Took off (delayed), landed in Brisbane, then delayed some more. We finally left Brisbane at midnight. I had paid around 130$ to see the Sydney Opera House. For the third time.

BNE->SYD->BNE->Kuala Lampur (free internet: Amber told me she didn't hate me and that it was a "hidden ticket")->BKK for my 24hr layover.

I've been to Bangkok before, so I knew this could be done. I first leave my bags at the airport and then get a bus to the touristy/backpacker's area (150Baht). When I get there, I immediately tuck in to some famous delicious street pad thai (25Baht) and a freshly squeezed mandarin juice (10Baht). I walk around for about 45 minutes, searching for the cheapest room I could find. After 45 minutes, and 11 guest houses, I've found a room 40 Baht (1$) cheaper than the first one, at 150Baht. Except they require a 500B deposit. Ouch. That left me with 94 Baht to have several more meals and drinks for the day. I immediately get a 5B bottle of water. Walk around for a while and then get to a park and chill. The park was on the river, with nice temple inside and view of a cool bridge. I get peckish so walk to the local street cart and get a basil chili vegetable fried rice (20B) and freshly squeezed guava juice (15B). I sit back down in the park and strike up conversation with a friendly (non-prositute) woman and we chat for several hours. I then go and get 1 more Pad Thai (20B) and a tallie of Beer Chang (34B). Perfect: no money left.

The next morning I get my deposit back, than god, and splurge on a huge amazing smooth (40B) and a plate of some sweet rice cake thingy. I dunno, but it was purple. Then take a shuttle to the airport (120B) and pay for my luggage (200B) and then have 120B left to kill. Have a spicy bowl of soup (100B - damn tax!), a bottle of soy milk (13B) and then I donate the 7B remaining to the charity thing.

Too easy.