Orientation, Aclimitization and Overwhelm!

I've found myself stuck in Bangkok, with way too much to do and see, but I've found it very helpful to be here a bit and grow more at ease with the shift in culture. Bangkok is definitely nuts, but I've enjoyed walking over a good portion of the city near my guest house and have put quite a few kilometers on my shoes on the pavement here. I've wandered through all sorts of neighborhoods and definitely see varying flavors of Bangkok, literally and metaphorically. I'm really surpised with the neighborhood in which my guest house lies--it's very very laid back, down to earth and calm compared with so many of the other neighborhoods where backpackers hang out. I can't quite figure out what makes it this way, but it seems like a place where a lot of working class people live (I've seen a lot of vender carts parked in driveways early in the morning and late at night). It doesn't have the greatest selection of anything you could ever want like many other places, but it's quaint, has mostly everything right aroung the corner and lies right on a ferry stop (Thewet). I've wandered small alley ways, meat markets (with serpent, frog and every sort of fish for sale), tourist markets, regional parks, palaces, run down neighborhoods, upscale neighborhoods and even a few tree lined streets (don't know why there aren't more...feels good when it's hot).

So, highlights:

Bangkok: Street food (of course): there's so much of it and so many different styles and types, it's sorta overwhelming! Makes me wonder what happened to this sort of business in the US. I like it because the street venders serve neighborhoods and each neighborhood has its venders. Keeps things pretty local...at night in Thewet, it seems that neighbors are out and support the local street carts. With that, food in a bag: today, I had the BEST fresh coconut shake (<$0.50 US) in a bag and drank it down to the last drop! Everything comes in little plastic bags...it's sorta annoying, but the things inside the bag are nearly irresistable! The wats: I've visited a big handful! They're a great relief from the ultra fast pace (not to mention the touters) of Bangkok. I hope to have some shots up online at some point. The river: I take the ferry whenever I can...where else could you get an amazing 45 min boat ride with world class views for less than $.50 US? Random friendly strangers: even though some of them are friendly for a reason (to get you in a tuk tuk to go for a scam), I have met quite a few very very nice, authentically kind people in Bangkok! A monk stopped me today just to talk (I think also to practic his English) and to welcome me to the place I was visiting. Transportation: amazing. Simply amazing! How many different ways can you get anywhere for under a dollar or two? Bike, motor bike, tuk tuk, taxi, bus, ferry, sky way, sub way...ahhhh, no driving for me. Ko Kret: I couldn't resist visiting this island nestled in the middle of the river in the far North of Bangkok where the Mon people have been potting for many many years (note 2baht ferry ride---$.07USD). I visited on the wrong day to take a spin on the wheel. They were busy with production when I got there and got to witness their hallmark surface decorating techniques. Truly amazing! Also saw my first coconut, banana and papaya trees loaded with fruit in the mangrove swamps of the island. Met and talked with a locally recognized potter (she had a photo of her with the king winning an award for her art work) who told me (with many hand gestures) how some of her work was created. I could have brought her whole shop home with me (and pretty much did in my camera)!

A few lowlights: no trash cans, ANYWHERE! Lots of trash (see aforementioned plastic bags) in my pockets and backpack, on the ground, in the river and in the water ways. No trash cans. Anywhere. Touters: as if Bangkok wasn't hectic enough, take it up a notch with every tuk tuk, motor bike and taxi honking at your or shouting at you (this also includes other individuals attempting to sell every sort of good and service imaginable). Pollution: this city can't have this kind of readily available, cheap pub trans without a tremendous amount of NOISE and AIR pollution. Ride a non-AC bus and get a little bit light headed from the fumes. Traffic: World Class Traffic! At it's worst, it's on par with LA, but compressed into city streets (rather than ten lane freeways). I can't imagine, because I haven't looked or noticed, where they park all these vehicles!!!!!

That's Bangkok so far. Gonna try to get out of here for a few days starting tomorrow or Sunday.