Well, here we are again, and still I find myself put off by this dirty, crowded city. Thai kindness does not reach the sinuating debris of Bangkok. It's a bit like New York, I guess. The streets are hot and sweaty, choking with smog and contaminants I don't want to think about. I miss the mountain air of Mae Sai. I’d even settle for a whiff of Wisconsin fertilizer.
The purpose of guidebooks finally becomes apparent to me, as I roam about aimlessly. It's actually quite organized for a city, divided into different districts. But it’s all in Thai, and I have no idea what potential goodies I’m passing up. I bump into some tourist attractions; seven hours of wandering is bound to get you somewhere. I stumble upon King Rama Garden, (I took a picture only because I felt guilty for finding it dull,) Chinatown, (quite different from Chicago’s Chinatown, and MBK, (which was actually pointed out to me by a man who noticed I was American, and assumed I wanted to shop at one of the world’s finest malls.) My favorite highlights of the journey, however, were the following:
1.) Chinese monasteries- Are louder, fatter, and smellier than traditional Buddhist temples. People swarm in droves to place dishes of fruit and incense at random corners. How anyone can find peace there is beyond me, but the monks were allowed to look women, which was a nice change.
The purpose of guidebooks finally becomes apparent to me, as I roam about aimlessly. It's actually quite organized for a city, divided into different districts. But it’s all in Thai, and I have no idea what potential goodies I’m passing up. I bump into some tourist attractions; seven hours of wandering is bound to get you somewhere. I stumble upon King Rama Garden, (I took a picture only because I felt guilty for finding it dull,) Chinatown, (quite different from Chicago’s Chinatown, and MBK, (which was actually pointed out to me by a man who noticed I was American, and assumed I wanted to shop at one of the world’s finest malls.) My favorite highlights of the journey, however, were the following:
1.) Chinese monasteries- Are louder, fatter, and smellier than traditional Buddhist temples. People swarm in droves to place dishes of fruit and incense at random corners. How anyone can find peace there is beyond me, but the monks were allowed to look women, which was a nice change.
2.) Mosque- After being drilled by two devout believers of Allah, I was kicked out.
3.) McDonald’s- What can I say? It wasn’t only the menu that was different. (Chocolate banana pie, anyone?) They actually hired a band to play outside the restaurant, right next to a praying Ronald statue. Inside were REAL LIVE ASIAN SCHOOL GIRLS, reminding me of my old manga days. Ahhh, youth. Jazmyn would be so jealous of me right now, and I'm (almost) tempted to hit on them just for her. Fortunately I settle for a photo, and head back to the hotel.
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