World Thailand Bangkok

Susan Ni D.. A Year in the Life.. Susan ar Strae 2009

Bangkok - balmy and just a little bit barmy 7 Sep 2009

7 Sept - 11 Sept 2009

I decided to spend 3 nights in Bangkok to 'acclimatise' to my new surroundings. The plan is to be in South East Asia until January.

Bangkok - also known as the City of Angels or Venice of the East (it's sinking too!)- when spelt correctly in Thai has a spectactular 32 words.

Some initial thoughts

TRAFFIC & TRAVEL

Since arriving in Bangkok I have added 'Getting run over trying to cross the street' to the original 'worry list'. The Traffic is truly unbearable and even worse when it rains - as it did on the evening of my arrival. I now know it rains every evening in rainy season so I'm not taking it personally. I duly cursed the fact that my umbrella (a dual purpose here in Rainy Season) had not made it to the Backpack list!

The traffic photos I've taken lose a bit without the sound effects but just imagine turning your ghettoblaster up full blast. My budget hostel 'Take a Nap' was located beside a metro and the skytrain in Silom district (and not far from the infamous Patpong red light district).

Bangkok is NOT a city meant for walking. The pavements, even in the fancy parts of the city, are either all pulled up or occupied by street traders/stalls so overground or underground is the only way to travel. The Tuk Tuks and river boats are also cheap and easy to get around in. Once you learn to get around it's easy to learn how to escape the bedlam.

TEMPLES

Wats (Buddhist Temples) and the Buddhas in the Wats are where it's at here mainly. I visited the main ones before experiencing Wat Fatigue...

* The Wat Phra Kaew inside the Grand Palace (the former Royal residence) is where the Emerald Buddha is housed. This Buddha is actually carved from Jade (despite the name) and is Thailand's most revered Buddha. He has 3 outfits (no kidding)- one for each of the seasons. The King does the change of dress at the beginning of each season. I'm afraid the photos I took don't do justice to his rainy season number - as was taken from outside the temple and at a distance.

* Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha. Famous and quite simply Enormous. It's a 46 metre long Buddha which dwarfs the building it's in.

* Wat Traimit, The Golden Buddha who weighs in at a mere 5.5 tonnes.

The other type of Temple I should mention are the modern ones. Literally thousands and thousands of square metres of SHOPPING MALLS with every conceivable shop and brand known to man/woman. I came here at regular intervals to 'pray' to escape the heat and pay homage to the God of AirCon.

Beyond that there are shrines on lots of street corners and in front of buildings and malls with the people praying for good luck and fortune. Commercialism and Buddhism live peacefully side by side each other here.

THAIS & TUMMY

The Thais I've met are very friendly and helpful. I have had no hassle from anyone. They do a mighty foot massage of course so am spending some bahts on that every day. There is enough English signage everywhere to get by. I even managed to find some hot yoga classes and the teachers are bilingual doing the classes in English and Thai. Impressive.

As for tummy matters.. When it comes to food at the best of times I'm not an adventurous eater. So far I've been sticking to simple fried chicken options with rice and beer. Chicken with chillies, chicken with cashew nuts and today chicken something I pointed at but looked alright. So far no tummy side effects. The food is extremely cheap unlike wine.. I don't think I've had a meal cost more than 3 or 4 Euro so far no matter where I go. The relative lack of wine (sob) is probably good for me as I will be de-toxing without ANY alcohol on Koh Samui for a month in October.

Overall my impression of Bangkok is probably alot more favourable than alot of other people's. I certainly prefer it to Hong Kong - the air is clearer, people are more friendly and it has plenty of upsides to counter its downsides.