I’m glad I brought shoes. That is the sole, (no pun intended,) thought that crosses my mind as I walk the streets of Bangkok . Our hotel is far from the notorious downtown, so I settle for the less-than-glamorous streets that are nearby. Here there is no makeup to cover the poverty. Garbage, smog, and decay permeate every surface. Stray dogs rest beneath the inadequette shade of rusted awnings, tired from last night’s howling.
Still, there is beauty to be found beneath the ugliness: offerings of incense soften the sulfuric stench, burning from altars upon every street. Between a shabby tile store and used car shop is the world’s largest restaurant, with no customer in sight. It’s closed during the day, but the workers laugh as we silly Americans explore its vacant depths. It wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for on my first pillage into another country, but it’ll do. Somehow, I sense Thailand has more up its sleeve. Stay tuned to find out.
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