I've made it! A bit of a late post but between the jet lag, which I was in denile of it even existing, (work it Beyonce!) and one very long day in Bangkok, I finally have a moment to sit down and reflect on the past few days of go go, and not the good kind.
I've just woken up so I'm not quite sure if that swaying boat feeling or inability to focus on too much at once has past but I'm in a lovely, air conditioned, hotel sipping instant coffee waiting for the girls to wake up so we can have breakfast and have a day of relaxing. Yes, life is so hard when you aren't working and indulging in the happens of a different lifestyle.
Jenna and I, (a girlfriend from back home who was going to South East Asia at some point, and ended up on the same flight!) arrived in Bangkok at roughly 1:30 a.m. Their time. Immigration was a breeze and the weather was perfect. China was a terrible 1 degree and we were stuck there for five hours with nothing but over priced Chinese food, apparently they just call it food there, and other straggling holidayers dying for their final destination. We managed to fall asleep immediately upon boarding our flight to Bangkok, it's very strange to wake up already in the sky when you don't know the city's lights aren't stars. Definitely exhausted by the time we finally got a cab I was so thankful Jenna's lovely sister Chels had a giant comfy bed waiting for us at the Golden Pearl on Sukhumvit road. It just so happens to be the more high end road to stay on in Bangkok which had me a little leary, but luckily we are further down and in the ghetto, thanks Dolly!
We slept five short hours but the buzz of the city had already set in and we were ready for a big day of adventuring. With our tour guide Chels in tow we set out to the sky train and downtown to Siam square to find some street food and check out the shops. Like any big city the shopping is madness, the malls are massive, jam pack with high end stores, and the streets are lined with markets on the cheap. Whatever you want, and actually some really fantastic fashion. On that note any donations to replacing the wardrobe in BB's backpack can be made directly to my bank account. I promise to be a fabulous fixture at any party you host, or hell, I'll be the center piece on your coffee table if you want. I look good!
Soon after we grabbed a Thai pancake with bananas and chocolate, a freshly cut coconut, and headed to the Grand Palace to see the Emerald Buddha. Being our first day out we experienced first hand the way tourists get taken advantage of so the people can make more money. I understand the need for more income but we are just three Canadians girls and that's just rude. Little did they know we had our secret weapon and ball of fury, Chels. That girl will tell you what's up and you better comply. Several cabs wanted to do a fixed rate of 150 - 200 Baht, about $6.50 Canadian, but we managed to get a cabby to agree to putting on the meter and got there for 75 Baht, or $2.50. Bangkok, you are greedy! And dirty, and you smell like garbage. Another tourist trap is people waiting outside the sight you are at telling you it's closed, or the tour isn't for an hour. This way they can send you to other attractions and make a commission off you. Look, I'm not a dollar sign, my daddy works hard for his money. We managed to find the entrance, and after waiting in line forever for proper attire, we were on our way to the Buddha. At the Grand Palace you must have long loose pants, and your shoulders must be covered to enter, respect. But there are still signs of warning for pick pocketers and scam artists everywhere, can you figure that one out?
The temples were astonishing, glittery and gold, words can't describe but they'd make one hell of a gay bar. So much history in one area, murals of the Buddha's life, which we had the opportunity to seem some restoration being done, statues of demons, and knowledge of the temples being decorated piece by piece was enough to know the faith that goes into one place. As we were making our way to the Buddha my heart fluttered a little. A monk, passing by, smiled at me. Not only did it remind me how far a smile can go, but also the sense of relief it can give to someone. So right now I want you to smile at the next person you see, spread a little happiness! We blessed ourselves by dipping a rose into some holy water and batting each other on the head and we entered the Emerald Buddha's temple. Since you can't take pictures in there I won't even describe what I saw, go see for yourself, it will change your spirit.
We realized we hadn't really eaten at this point so off we were again, in search of food, like a honey badger. Exhausted and dehydrated we found ourselves in the absolute madness of both Rambuttri and Khaosan San road. I thought downtown was crazy. These roads are PACKED with vendors, bars, housing, restaurants, side carts, and tons and tons of people. It's very exciting and if you like to people watch this is where it's at but it's definitely overwhelming and we luckily got out of there before dark. Just beyond there are shops and shops of everything imaginable. Complete stores on single items. Belt store, jewelry store, button store, it goes on and on. Now for a little story in this big one. On one of the corners sat a woman fanning a cart. We stopped over to see what she was doing and wouldn't you know! That cart had seven chihuahuas in it, four of which were puppies. Of course our hearts melted as we scratched the bellies of the sleeping ones, held the tiny ones, and gave a good pet to the ones who where cute years before and weren't getting the attention the little ones were. Due to the floods this woman had rescued these little guys and was asking for donations to care for them. Normally I don't just hand out money to people on the street but in the spirit of Joanne, who will be referred to as Woofanne from now on, I made a contribution.
After filling out bellies with, you guessed it, rice! We headed back downtown to kill some time before dinner. Eventually we found ourselves at a restaurant called Condoms and Cabbages. It's decorated with lampshades made of condoms, mannequins are wearing clothes made of condoms, and there is a wishing well which all the money thrown in goes towards building a secondary school for the one they have already established, up with education! This place is fantastic and I encourage you to check it out online or in person. It was mainly started to raise money to bring awareness to planned parenting, in the 70's the average Thai family had seven children and it was very detrimental on the economy, so PDA was put into affect, like I said, check it out. We ate like kings, from corn patties to Thai salad, spicy vegetarian dishes and even deep fried bananas in honey. For four of us to be filled to the bring and take home leftovers, have some beers and leave a tip, it was roughly $ 90.00 Canadian but this sort of meal would have been at least double back home, and first night in Bangkok had to be celebrated.
We managed to get back to the sky train ten minutes before close and we are asleep in our king sized bed in no time. As for today we are just lazing around the pool, getting Thai massages, going to a 4D movie (we are in the future after all) and filling up on pad Thai. One day to relax before we head up North to Chiangmai. Hopefully that post won't be as long.
Fun fact: Thai people are bigger then you think
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