From Bangkok with Love!

January 2... I arrive in Bangkok. Now my trip was truly beginning. In my cab ride
from the airport I was like a kid in the candy store taking in all of the sites but
not able to soak it all in. Mopeds were whizzing by with whole families on them(yes, 4 people... mom, dad, a kid in front and a kid in the middle), The King and Queen's photos posted on every block, teak houses next to tall apartment buildings, and Thai billboards promoting the latest phone with Facebook Twitter accessibility!

My cab driver was a nice man, but I think I dissappointed him just a bit because I couldn't speak a lick of Thai. He was a good sport and was trying to teach me some phrases, but mainly I just looked at him blankly. I'm chalking that up to the 1 hour time lag I was on... I fancy myself pretty astute at picking things up! Must start practicing.

My hotel was in the old city--a block away from Khao San road (the famous street with vendors galore selling to backpackers). Coming to that area on my first day was a bit disorienting and disappointing. It was like being in Time Square at rush hour and everyone was just like you. Was this what Bangkok was like? Maybe it was just my nerves and jet leg pushing me to the brink of frustration?

Luckily, I slept off my nervous energy and started Day 2 with some laps in the pool. I was now ready to set off and explore Bangkok by foot. As I began my walking tour a nice Thai man was gracious enough to point out all of the key sites I should see and pointed out that Wat Phra Krae and the Grand Palace weren't open til 2pm. But if I took a tut tut for 20BHT I could see many other sites before going there. Good thing a) I wanted to walk because that's the best way to explore and b) Being a New Yorker I'm a skeptic of people approaching me on the street. Turns out, he was a scam artist that tells tourists Wats aren't open and gets them to pay for a never ending tut tut ride. Phew!

Following my own path I found my Bangkok groove. For a good hour I was the only white girl on the street. I was in and out of stores and restaurants where the locals frequented. I began to fit right in when I started crossing the street like a Thai. Basically the walking signs never change in Bangkok, so you can be stuck at a light for 15 minutes if you are not assertive. I soon realized (well, 2 or 3 lights later) that I just have to take crossing the streets into my own hands. So I followed the lead of the men and women of Bangkok and crossed when there was a lull in traffic!

I finally I made it to the Wat Phra Kaew and Grand Palace. Sure enough it had been open all day! It was stunning and serene. It was a Sunday so all the Thai's were out showing their devotion to the Buddha making offerings of gold paper and coins.

Eventually I made my way to a market selling fruits, veggies, everyday wares and of course pad thai! I had my first street helping of pad thai and I didn't get sick! It was the best I ever had! I even had a star spotting at the market (well, a D list spotting). Rick Fox, former NBA player/Vanessa William's x hubby) was spotted video tapping the market on his iphone. Of course he wasn't hard to spot, seen as he was the only 6'5' man in all of Bangkok!

That evening I met my fellow Intrepid Travelers. I would be starting my 15 day tour through northern Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam with them. It's a great group of Aussies, a Kiwi, and a fellow American from LA. Our leader, Nok, is a very cool Thai woman. It's going to be a good trip!

On Monday AM we hopped on a long tail boat to tour the canals of Bangkok. Like everywhere in Bangkok safety comes first (adults are always wearing their helmets on their mopeds, helmet are only optional for small children) so we had to wear our life jackets on the boat (yes, really!). I was struck most by the juxtaposition of the homes along the canals. You would have large teak homes, some mansions, next to wooden shacks that looked like they would fall in the water at any moment. It was amazing that two different socio-economic worlds could be so close to each other. Not something you usually see at home.

Finally we made our way to Wat Pho. It contains the sleepping Budha. The largest Buddha in Bangkok. I was in awe! This towering golden Budha starring down at you was magical. It was the perfect way to end my time in Bangkok!