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Published: March 13th 2006
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Shambara
Saai and her friends at Shambara for drinks. Where am I? Taking the picture of course. I arrived in Bangkok a few days ago, and it's been a whirlwind of activity ever since. What have I been doing?
It began on Wednesday afternoon, March 8. I flew into Bangkok and checked into my hotel, Samran Place ($22; located in the Siam Square area). That night I connected with my friend Saai (pronounced "sigh") and some of her university school friends. It was fun to see Saai again and to meet a few more of her friends. We went to Khao San Road (via the skytrain and a river boat) for dinner at a popular, reasonably priced Indian restaurant, Roti-Mataba. It's a small two-story place that gets some heavy business. We were somehow able to get a great table upstairs in the back. Waiting seems common here, although the turnover was quick. The food was good. I had, ummm, what did I have? Ahhh, chicken mataba and something else. I forget. Brilliant! (THAT commercial jumped into my mind for whatever reason - most of you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. Deal with it! 😊) Afterwards, we walked around Khao San Road and stopped for a while for drinks at Shambara (a guesthouse and restaurant
The Khlongs
traveling by boat through the canals in Bangkok. off Khao San Road where I previously stayed).
On Thursday, I met up with Saai in the afternoon to go explore the khlongs. What are those? They are canals. Bangkok used to be called the "Venice of the East". At one time (approx 150 years ago), transportation in Bangkok was handled primarily by boat along the Chao Phraya River and canals that linked the city. Most of the canals have since been filled with soil but there are some that still remain, especially in Thonburi (west of Chao Phraya River). It's an interesting experience seeing the city from this vantage point. There are all kinds of things along these khlongs, ranging from private residences to a navy base to fields of fruit. We saw kids swimming in the khlongs (wouldn't be my first choice). In order to see the khlongs, we rented a private boat and driver (650 baht for 1 1/2 hours; about $17). It was fun. Be warned though that getting wet is pretty much unavoidable. And getting really, really wet is optional. 😊
After that, Saai and I went to MBK, one of the big malls in Siam Square. We had dinner at the food
Grand Palace
one of the famous tourist sites in Bangkok court (which offers many of the same things served on the street, but with a little better sanitation) since we were rushed for time in order to make our movie at the theater in the mall. I'd been wanting to check out a movie in Thailand. It's true, you do have to stand at one point during the previews to honor Thailand's king while they play a song (have no idea of the significance of the song) and show pictures of the king on the big screen. Our movie selection was Zathura. Pretty much a kid's movie, that all in all, wasn't bad. Thailand appears to be way behind the times when it comes to showing English language movies. They are currently showing Final Destination 3, Zathura and Cheaper by the Dozen 2. Quite a selection, I know. Thus, Zathura. Then again, it was only $3 per ticket. Another interesting thing is that they used seat assignments - you pick your seats at the time of ticket purchase.
Yesterday Saai and I met early at the skytrain in order to get to the Grand Palace. This is one of the major tourist sites in Bangkok, and oddly one that
Wat
the Wat (temple) next to the Grand Palace in Bangkok. I can't think of the name of it at the moment and I'm too lazy to look it up. :) I hadn't been to in my prior trips to the city. I wanted to beat the rush since it gets crowded, but apparently, 9:00 is not early. At least it wasn't on that day. The place was packed and the heat was unbearable. Saai and I got through in less than an hour. I'm not saying it's not worthwhile, but I've seen soooo many temples. After Angkor Wat, they just don't seem to keep my attention. Add the major heat element, and it was a quick stop.
By the way, Bangkok has 3 seasons: cool, hot, and rainy, which translated for foreigners means "hot," "really hot," and "really hot and rainy." We're entering the hot season which means it's "really hot." When I first arrived in Thailand, it was the cool season. It makes a difference, trust me.
Anyway, that brings me to Saturday afternoon. Saai had to do some tutoring (her semester ended on March 7 by the way - it's summer break here) so I did some catching up on e-mail and the news. Later we went out for dinner at Vientiane (Jonathan - did you ever end up taking Miranda there?). It's a cool place
Saai
Saai while traveling through the khlongs (canals). that I had been to once before.
So, you may be thinking, you sure are spending a lot of time with Saai. Yep. What's up with that? Well, she's a great Christian girl. She's also attractive, upbeat, friendly, loyal, intelligent and, well, we've decided to date exclusively. I'm not even kidding. Really. 😊 How does that work? Not sure, seeing that we live in different countries, but both of us are open to living overseas. In addition, she is coming to America on the same day that I am. Unfortunately, she's not going to the same city, or even the same state. She'll be working in New Jersey for 3 months to work during her summer break. After that, she returns to Thailand (with a stop in Los Angeles!) to finish her last year of university. I'm committed to living in Thousand Oaks, California until the summer of 2007 to continue to work with the high school ministry at Calvary Community Church. Beyond that, only God knows. So, there you have it.
As for the rest of my trip, I'm staying in Bangkok until I leave for America. My adventure in southeast Asia is coming to a close.
Roti-Mataba
Saai and her friends sitting in Roti-Mataba restaurant near Khao San Road. I've only got a couple of days remaining before I head back to America (via Japan). Meanwhile, Saai is spending today with her mom who is visiting from Trang (southern Thailand) and then joining me for church tomorrow (although not her home church since her home church has Thai language services only).
This is likely going to be my last blog entry before returning to America. I hope you've enjoyed reading these blogs as much as I've enjoyed writing them.
However, it doesn't really end. I do have trips in May planned for Europe (with my friend Jim) and Mexico (reunion with some Westmont College buddies). Add to that a possible trip that same month to visit my family in Colorado.
Umm, I'm going to need a job too. But that's just going to have to wait. I'm busy!
Look! There goes Dave!
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Cousin Rob
non-member comment
Don't forget that upcoming trip up to Fresno! Safe trip back Dave!