"Under Neon Loneliness"

Back To The Future In Urban Bangkok

Landing in a huge modern metropolitan such as Bangkok after spending more than eight months in "real" third world countries was a confusing experience for us. On one hand, it was so much fun entering a brand new supermarket with everything from fruits to microwave ovens and see Lily, with shining eyes and dazed smile, running enthusiastically between its raws. On the other hand, it was a bit shocking return to a hectic city with everyone around running from one side to god knows where. It left us a bit dizzy, literally.

Now, those of you who have already visited Bangkok know what I mean. Those who haven't, well, forget about religious atmospheric Buddhist town as it once was. You can still find there some of the finest golden temples exist today, however, it usually takes people between one to two days to see them all. After that, you mainly find yourself practicing the most ancient feminine activity ever. Yes, shopping. I have visited several big metropolitans before, but never have I seen a city with so many shopping malls. It's absolutely everywhere. You go out of one mall, you enter another, without even wanting to. You walk in the streets, shops all around you. You reach the Kaosan - street stalls. Only 10 Bahts today. And if you are not tired from shopping by daylight, there's always the night bazaar to suit your special needs. You just have to ask yourself, who needs all this stuff? A moment later you find yourself with a stupid scarf in one hand and a (fake) Diesel jeans in the other (it's only 600 Bahts, who could say no to that?!).

Westerns that we are, we quickly adapted. We began visiting the cinema in Siam Paragon daily. It is one of these places you watch a movie with only 20 other people around you, on broad screen, with "American Comfort" seats which lean back almost 180 deg. You are even given a blanket so the a/c won't freeze your ass. A perfect way to miss the end of the movie. But we haven't, maybe because we were so hungry for some superficial Hollywoodian entertainment after all. We even got an automatic massage prior to the movie, as part of the deal (pic attached). Crazy city.

Something was still missing. It is hard to say what exactly, but trying to, I'd say this city has lack of "soul". Something that India, which we just left, has in tones. It may be over-tourism or any other reason, but the feeling you get is that you're only welcomed for your money. There's no "human-touch". When we came back to Delhi after 2 months in Nepal, several merchants in main-bazaar actually recognised and welcomed us with smiles and laughter and we're not talking about a small town whatsoever. This could never have happend in Bangkok. Everything is more "straight to business". I guess it's all part of modern life, but although all the conviniences involved, something was still missing.

Although we truly enjoyed the city life, after a week there I was relieved to pack our things and head Laos, a quite rural country with nature all around you. Countryside. That's the place to be in :-).








The Entry Title is taken from Manic Street Preachers pompous song "Motorcycle Emptiness" which, for some reason, popped as assosiation while visiting this city (Lyrics)

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