Hello from Bangkok! I've been neglectful in writing, there's been quite a lot going on. The days already seem to be running together, with all of the activities, sights, smells, tastes and sounds mixing into one exciting, if not overwhelming, experience. And getting used to the heat has been a considerable challenge :) I am staying in a wonderful little guest house called Shanti Lodge, located just next door to Khao San Road (the backpacker mecca) in Thewet on the Mae Nam Chao Phraya river.
Thus far in my Bangkok experience I have navigated (mostly successfully, sometimes not) the local bus system which took me to Siam Square and MBK on my first full day in BKK to purchase a mobile phone, probably the most confusing task since high school algebra. The public transportation system here is an event in itself, as the buses often require flagging down and a running head start to hop on. Talk about treacherous.
Day two brought me to the weekend Chatuchak Market, a gargantuan sprawling market with vendors selling every ware imagineable -- beautiful silks, cheap American-style clothing of all kinds, teak-wood carvings and ornaments, chickens, fruits of every shape and variety, and food vendors selling heaps of steaming aromatic thai cuisine (some delicious, some seemingly inedible). Tasted my first mango with sticky rice, discovered heaven.
Day three I hopped on one of the popular water taxis which ferry passengers both ways north and south on the Mae Nam Chao Phraya river, taking it down to visit the grounds of the Grand Palace, the former royal residence which is nothing less than spectacular. The palace grounds also house the beautiful Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a visual wonder of highly stylized ornamentation (translation: lots of gold and sparkle). Next door I visited Wat Pho, the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok dating back to the 16th century. Wat Pho houses a stunning giant gold reclining Buddha statue, which illustrates the passing of Buddha into final nirvana.
Today is my last day in Bangkok, and tonight I will be catching the overnight train to Chiang Mai in northern thailand for respite from the frenetic big-city energy that is Bangkok.
Stay tuned...
5 comments:
AHH mango sticky rice!! soo jealous. :) im glad things are going so well! i wish i could be there! have a blast in chiang mai :D
-crystal
oooh it sounds like so much fun!! i can't wait to see the pics!!
we miss you over here in LA!!!!!!!! (and i'm so happy you have a blog so i know that you're doing alright and the asians haven't captured you or something...which is okay cause i'm asian so i can say that, hahahhaa)
This is all so exciting...wish I were doing exactly what you are, but I am lucky that you are tracking your adventure so I can fee like I am there! Woo Hoo!!! :)
sounds amazing val, cant wait to see pictures....that mango and sticky rice things sounds awesome, maybe we'll have to try making that when you come home!! find recipes....yeah right hahahahhaha love you!!!
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