Traveling in the 1980s

Traveling in the 1980s

Traveling in the 1980s was much different than in the 2020s. Although it was only four decades earlier, the computer, the internet, ATM machines, reservations, and just everyday comforts have improved traveling tremendously. For those not old enough to remember, tickets and hotel reservations were made through travel agencies and paid for by either cash, check, or money orders. Looking back, it didn't seem to be that much of an inconvenience.   With so much that could go wrong when traveling in the 1980s, many travelers bought travel insurance, also through travel agencies. When luggage didn't arrive, it was generally gone for good.  Flying from Seattle to Bangkok, on day one of this journey, I arrived, but my brand new mountain bike and four new panniers strapped to it didn't. I had no photos, receipts, or documents to prove it even existed, just a single sticker stuck to the ticket indicating only one piece of luggage. I should have insured it, but it was too late now. It

was brand new without a scratch on it, I had built it myself, and somebody else currently had their hands on it.

With nothing but the shirt on my back, I spent the next seven days calling the airlines with no success. There were no computers when traveling in the 1980s and no files they could refer to and each day was like starting over. I even went by the US Embassy, but they showed no interest in my problem. I did see pictures of the Ambassador and Vice-counsel hanging on the wall though.

On day seven and desperate, I called once more demanding to speak to the person in charge, claiming I was the Vice-counsel of the US Embassy.  Bringing it to his attention that it had been seven days with no positive response, I made it known that the Embassy was now involved and demanded that they provide a report by the afternoon as this needed to be solved today. Calling back in the afternoon, they miraculously found the bike which was now waiting for me at the airport. 

In the 1980s, seven days in Bangkok was more than the average person could handle and the very next morning I was finally on the road. Everything in Thailand was cheap: hotels, food, entertainment, and especially traveling by bike. Not only that, out of the city, people smiled and waved constantly, curious about where I was going. I didn't really know. I had no maps, no guidebook, and nothing in mind other than what came next.

Unlike most cyclists on the road, I chose to spend time in most towns. Arriving and leaving the next morning didn't provide time to get to know a town. With no plans, I was in no hurry and might spend two or three days in a town or even a month. I let the towns decide for me. Unloading the panniers and riding around without them was enjoyable, and for non-travel days I might ride 30 or 40 miles total just around town looking for local delights. In my mind, that was the way to travel in the 1980s.

For more info about the geography and travel in Thailand visit:  https://www.britannica.com/place/Thailand