Life in Bangkok
Trip Start
Sep 27, 2007
1
5
18
Trip End
??? ??, 2010
Bangkok, Thailand
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Sunday had us on the river again. This time we went to a famous temple (Wat Aran) and also to the Grand Palace. At the temple we say many Monks and Thai people praying, burning incense and conducting some sort of ceremony with the Monks. Not sure what all that was about. Our guests enjoyed our outing. Unfortunately the guys were in shorts and couldn't go into the Grand Palace. There are dress codes for certain tourist sites that are strictly adhered to here. The kids were exhausted and Joe had work to do, so we headed back to our respective apartment and hotels. Even with just a couple of things it took several hours to go about. I can't explain why, but things seem to take much longer here.
Daily life is sometimes wonderful and sometimes frustrating. The car situation as well as the traffic are a major annoyance for me. I dislike being stuck. It seems taxi drivers are undependable. Some don't know where they're going, some almost kill you, many try to ripe you off. There are no seat belts in the taxi's, so car seats are out of the question. It is very hazardous driving here. Pedestrians are not respected. Taking a stroller down a sidewalk is a chore as the curbs are all very high due to the rainy season. There is little space sometimes to push a stroller with all the vendors on the streets. I usually put Jonas in a carrier to navigate the streets of Bangkok.
When we take Josey to school there are several rows of cars waiting for the "Sirs" or "Madam's" to come out to head off to work or some shopping. Joe leaves early, so we rarely see Vasit, but Josey occasionally asks if he is sitting with the other drivers. It was once an odd site that is now very normal for us.
Jonas and I head across the street to the same lady and buy fruit. Fresh pineapple, papaya, banana's, persimmons and the like are all to be had. We spend about $3.00 for our fruit. Sometimes, I'll grab a Starbucks on the way back to the apartment. Prices here are the same as in the US or perhaps a bit more. Don't go there ofter, but its nice to know I can if I want.
