Bangkok Bound

We decided to stop being so cheap and got a taxi to the airport last Wednesday. We were on our way to Bangkok to meet my mom (my dad's passport "expired" and he was delayed). Of course, we determined this after standing in extreme heat and moisture for 45 minutes on the road side and knowing that it could be a very long trip for just a little bit less green. We had cocktails with John and Kim on the beach instead of roasting in the bus station, and our flight was on time. Air Asia has a reputation for being "Air Delay-sia" but this time, our prayers were answered and we met my mom almost immediately.

We stayed at the downtown Bangkok Christian Guest House. With an excellent location near both a station on Bangkok's efficient elevated-train system and Lumpini Park, BCGH affords its guests a convenient place to find a respite from the constant activity (and heat) of the city. We definitely recommend it to everyone reading the blog. 

Bangkok is called Krung Thep Mahanakhon by the Thais. Thailand used to be called Siam, which I have heard before (Siamese cats). We spent our first day visiting Tae, a friend of the Quinley's who has her own tailor shop. Derek and I each ordered a suit and Derek put in orders for his dad and brother. The material they use is very nice, and the creation of suits are quite inexpensive here. We toured the Step Ahead site in the Klong Toey slums, where we met some of the people who are benefiting from the center's loans. We met a man who's job it was to pull the nails off chicken feet...not sure why I felt that needed to be shared. Sorry!

We took the rest of the day to rest and had dinner at Bu Restaurant, where for the millionth time, they forgot to keep the chilies out of my basil chicken. That evening, my mom and I met my dad's cab. We were glad to have only lost 24 hours with him. By the way, if you have international travel plans any time in the future, you need to make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your scheduled departure. You are welcome!

We spent the next day running around the Grand Palace area. We saw Wat Po (famed "reclining" Buddha that is ENORMOUS) and we climbed Wat Arun (the steepest stairs you've ever seen...my backside is still burning!). The Grand Palace covers a ton of space, and all of the buildings are hand painted inside and decorated with mirrors and gold and tiles on the outside. It's overwhelming how ornate they are. We met a monk there who sat with us for quite awhile - his name is Dipak, and he is from Bangladesh. He told us he is very lonely and even had me talk to his sister on his cell phone (for the novelty of it, I suppose?). We've promised to write him, and have done so already, in the hopes that we might foster a relationship that shows him that, when you know our God, you're never alone. 

We took a canal boat to and from and did some market shopping on the streets. Dad left his hat at a little dive where we ate and bought another two minutes later for $3. Gotta love Thailand markets! Mom found a teapot she loved but we didn't buy it, hoping we could find another later, and when we didn't, we went back and bought it anyway. The seller was an old Thai woman with blue eyes...a very unique thing, indeed. 

I got a steal on a traditional Thai hat from a woman who was rewarding my efforts with the Thai language. She told me that most sellers give the hats to "farang" (foreigners) for 450 bt (about $14) but to Thais, she gives them for 100 bt (about $3). There is a lesson here...put some effort into basic bartering phrases and you'll be less likely to be ripped off. Besides, you gain their respect speaking to them in their own language, and still more if you even attempt it.