Bangkok Traffic

Bangkok traffic is not fun. I have not figured out any rhythm to the degree of congestion. There doesn't seem to be rush hour-we even hit traffic on our way from the airport at midnight.

There are many transportation options: taxi, sky train, subway, boat, motorbike, and a tuk-tuk. What is a tuk-tuk?? Its pretty much 3-wheeled golf cart.

Tuk Tuk (took took)


Boat Taxi



My favorite is the sky train, which is the subway that goes above the city-it is awesome!! Very easy to navigate.


I think I have witnessed four car accidents. One person fell off his motorbike and the bike went sliding across the street. Scary. I have seen up to 3 people on one motorbike, including toddlers, and many do not wear helmets. A little different from what I’m use to! I will not be traveling by moterbike.

One upsetting moment happened on the skytrain. A foreigner was pick-pocketed. It was a bump and grab- right when the train was coming to a stop. The thief ran off the train. The whole situation was disturbing! Ugh.
I did take comfort that some Thai women used the emergency phone call to report the situation. The train was stopped and the police came. Times like this I really hate not being able to understand Thai (and when trying to order food!). I hope they got ‘em! Everone that i have talked to said they have never witnessed this....so I dont think it happens too often. I DO NOT want that to happen to me- just a reminder for me to be aware.

Overall i am very mobile...you really dont need a car to get around- most people with cars just sit in traffic!

Golden Buddha

Wat Traimit made it in the Guinness Book of World records for housing the worlds' largest Gold Buddha image. It’s pure gold and weighs about 5.5 tons

What makes it even more interesting is the story behind it…..

The Golden Buddha is estimated to be from the 13-15th century, but no one really knows when or where it is from. In fact, they did not even know it was "golden" in until the 1950s because the gold was covered in plaster.

The Buddha image was being moved for storage when a piece of the plaster broke off and revealed GOLD!! They believe it was covered in plastic lacquer when the Burmese were invading Thailand in order to camouflage the value so that it wouldn’t be taken-smart!

The third level of this building houses a museum on the history of the Golden Buddha image and explains method of casting golden Buddha statues. The second floor is a Chinatown heritage center. Chinese have been a part of Thailand's history since the 1780s and overtime Chinatown has developed into an integral business and entertainment district. (Wat Traimit is in Chinatown).

Shopping Therapy

In Bangkok, you can’t go a block without somewhere to shop, whether it’s a market, mall or street vendor. And this is why I think it is called “The Land of Smiles”. Shopping cures all!!

Today was crazy. I debated on going to the Grand Palace or the zoo. I checked with my front desk to see where the protestors were going to be, so would NOT be there. EVERYBODY here is sure to tell me to avoid protests. They said zoo was good! SWEET!

Who knew I could be challenged to have a good time at a zoo?? I love zoos and animal watching.

I was on my way by 9am to beat the rush, right?

After a short ride on the skytrain and quick taxi ride, I arrive. I pay my admission and on my way. At first, it appeared as if I had the zoo to MYSELF. Until I got further along, when it became obvious, there were tons of military/police/guards stationed there. I knew I had done something wrong…
The military was using the zoo as base camp-there probably 3000 guards randomly grouped throughout the zoo. At one point, they had surveillance setup to watch the roads outside the zoo.

Imagine the looks I was getting!!! Not mean, but I stood out, BAD.
The Dunsit zoo is built in circle and you have to go all the around to get out-so there was no ducking out. As I got further into the zoo, the soldiers began to REALLY outnumber the animals. I was trying to play it cool-no big deal. I was able to enjoy some of the exhibits, but it was not comfortable. A couple of uniformed guys approached me and asked me where I was from---it seemed like they were just making small talk.

When I finally circled back to the exit, they had closed the zoo because the protestors were outside! The police were lined near the exit/entrance in their riot gear. I became TERRIFIED. Tears were forming. I said I wanted to go home so they opened the door and were closing it behind me…...uh no, I walked right back in and asked if they were help me get a taxi. They had an employee walk me out….

The street was blocked from traffic so we had to walk up through the protestors. He kept telling me “happy”, “be happy”, I guess to prevent a bad reaction from the crowd. Smiling, with tears a welling- I WAS HAPPY! He passed me off to a military guard who continued to walk me up the street and found me a taxi. AWW.

Thank goodness for that employee; I hope he did not get a hard time on his walk back.
Here’s what the news said…. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g3j-vAVG1fg3kEfnogTiH8_4EXvwD9EMTJPG0

So what to do after that????

SHOP!!!! Shopping therapy. It cures all.

Now that I can think about it, I should not have been anxious/ scared. The protestors have not been violent. They are using their freedom and I believe in that. I wasn’t really scared of them or of the police. But after seeing all the armed guards/ riot gear / and being really, really out of my element, I was just a little emotional. I am glad I got out of there.

I just wonder, why did they sell me that ticket???? I really wish they had turned me away.

On a positive note, the Dusit Zoo has a cool nocturnal exhibit, a neat walk-through birdhouse, and I think Thais have a thing for albino animals.

Unfortunately, I did not get any really telling pics of the whole situation because I was not sure how they would react to me snapping shots of them, but I got just a couple from afar.




PS, Dear St. Louis Zoo, I love you.

Marketing 101

Some things here are the same, but different....

I love noticing how products are tailored toward their markets.
Here are some fun examples

World traveler, Ronald, doing the wai, the common Thai greeting.
And no, i did not eat McDonalds!

Shrimp, Seaweed, or Crab flavored Pringles, anyone??

And Bangkok has Forever too, yay.

One thing about the shopping (excluding markets), there are about 4 people to help you at all times. You usually get a buddy to walk around with you...not my fav, but I guess it’s better than not being able to find help when you need it.

Also, they have digital pricing!! I could not help but to think how that would have rocked back in the Macys days.

Long Days

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I work all day then attend night classes...tiring.

School here seems to be a little different-even though it is an American University. I have to learn to be more flexible. For example, my teacher cannot make it to class next Thursday so she simply moves the class to Friday night. WHAT? That so would not fly at home. We are busy and have crazy schedules. To top it off, if you miss more than one class, you fail. Yikes.

I guess here you are a student first - it is a privilege. Another classmate said we Americans take education for granted. I do not think that is completely fair, but I guess my annoyance leads to me believe that there may be something to that. I have a tendency to believe I am the paying customer so should have some control.

OH and the reading......I cant stay awake to read it all. It is like 1000 pages a night. We had to read 400 pages before the class even began. zzzz

We shall see how this turns out.


Here’s a funny one…
Notice the giant in the front row. Dear Warren, I can now relate.

Work Day Two

What is the best way to follow that amazing first day at work?? Oh just lunch with the Ambassador of Thailand -Ambassador John!! OK so it wasn't like we were lunch buddies, but he attended a appreciation party for my department and I had the opportunity to briefly talk with him. He seems like a very nice down-to-Earth person...funny stories. Now I am on a mission to get an invite to one of his parties at the ambassador residence because it looks fabulous- I walk past it every day to get to work.

Don't be Freaked, but

Today I started my internship at the US Embassy. I am working for the U.S. Department of Commercial Services assisting with market research, company profiles, and meeting planning/trade shows. The purpose of commercial services is to aid US companies that want to export their products. President Obama has outlined a new export initiative to double exports over the 5 years in order to boost the economy and grow jobs. So there are many feel good aspects to my position and I will be learning valuable research/analytical techniques to apply to my job when I get back home!

So my first day...

I got my new space assignment (very generous for an intern). I am looking in my desk drawers….fully stocked: pens, stapler, notebook, biological warfare mask, some injection looking devise that I think you are suppose to use if there is a biological threat. Um ok. Nice. Wakeup call!

You may have seen on the news there are protests in Bangkok. The Red Shirt party wants Thailand’s king to step-down (google it if you want to know more). Protestors have been gathering in Bangkok since Sunday. I have been conscious avoid the areas where they congregated (not close to me)…..until today.

Right around lunchtime, the protestors arrived right outside the US embassy. They were LOUD- speakers, music, horns – RED everything. They filled the streets and stopped traffic. It was very surreal. My co-workers were joking that it was a celebration for my first day!

After a couple of hours, they moved on to the British embassy…in peace. Although I read they threw blood on the prime minister’s house-GROSS!

View from window:


PS..i really like my co-workers!! There are lots of girls-YAY (my classes are all guys). I have a lot of work to do to get their names straight. I completely suck at Thai…so embarrassing.

Fish Spa, Anyone?

Massage shops are on every corner and it is CHEAP! One-hour Thai massage is about $20. So far, I have gotten a pedicure, foot reflexology service, fish spa, and traditional Thai massage!

You if you are like me, you are wondering what in the world is a fish spa all about....they are aquariums with no lids where you insert your feet. The fish will then gently feed on the dead skin. It is a type of exfoliating treatment. It is very ticklish at first, but we became use to it. I think it was more fun than truly beneficial.



After the fish spa, we had a foot reflexology treatment. All I can say is OUCH! I would have sworn I had bruising on the bottom of my feet. The treatment is to aid in reduction of stress by using pressure points-so I knew I needed that! That night we slept for 10 hours….I’m not sure it was a side effect of the treatment or that exhaustion caught up with us-but I felt completely drugged. Great sleep.

My absolute favorite was Thai massage. OMG-love it. The woman who gave me a massage worked every sore area; she knew what was wrong without me having to say a thing. I think she put my spine back in the right place. I will be frequenting that place for sure!

Wat Po

Temples are on every must-do list on a when visiting Bangkok. This is for good reason-they are royal, magnificent, and mystical!! You'll see in the photos...

Outside the temple, it is a madhouse--tons of exhaust emitting mega-buses unloading tourists. There are signs posted to be weary of pic-pockets (hello anxiety). It is a state of chaos.

However, once you enter the temple, it becomes instantly calming. It feels as if the world has such a bigger meaning and I am so small. Although, I could have been feeling small because the Reclining Buddha is 46 meters ~150 feet long!!!

As I was walking through the temple, I heard clinking sounds echoing through the open aired building, adding to the mystification. As I turned the corner, behind the Buddha, there are 100 pots for offering. For a small donation, you get a cup filled with 100 coins and drop one coin in each cup, making a wish on every pot. I thought of health, happiness, and peace for family, friends and Doug & I. Hopefully the good thoughts will be coming your way!

After soaking it all in, we checked out the traditional medicine center where we got 1 hour Thai massages!! It was ahhmazing.

My pictures cannot capture the grandiose of it, but they are still telling. Check out the picture of Buddha's toes- for size relativity, my head is probably the size of one toenail.

Here are the pics:

Lumpini Park

Lumpini Park is to Bangkok as Central Park is for NYC. Altough, not as big/crazy.

Its great people watching, but we were obsessed with the water monitor (Varanus salvator)! So cool.

I am sure this will be one of the places I spend my time.

New Digs

Found a place to rest my head!!

I have to say, finding a place to live caused me so much anxiety. I am such a planner, but I chose to wait to book a room until i got here because I feared booking online would be a let down- I figured they would post pics of the roaches....so buying online just was too risky!

Overall, I think I did pretty good: Its SMALL, but has amazing features. The view is gorgeous, on the 26th floor. There is a nice pool and 24 hour guards.

OK, time to play!

Loy Nava Dinner Cruise

Today was very productive.

After moving from the hotel to the new apartment, finding my school and scoping out the location of my internship, we treated ourselves to a dinner cruise. The Chao Phraya river is a lively part of Bangkok.

This was the best of multi-tasking because we got to gorge ourselves in tastey Thai food, check out an antique rice barge and view historical landmarks along the river. Here is a little video of the pics....




This was an awesome night!

http://www.loynava.com/the-river-in-bangkok.html

Getting to Thailand

Whew, that was torture.

Here's what it takes to get to Thailand:

Depart STL 6:00am Arrive Chicago 7:00am
Depart Chicago 12:00pm to Tokyo Arrive 13 hours later
Depart Tokyo arrive Bangkok 7 hours later


We left on Sunday early am and didn't get out of airports until Monday at midnight, with time change. All in all it was about 24 hours of in-flight time including 4 airplane meals...yuck. I cant wait for the much talked about Thai food!!!

Exhausting....my back and legs were not enjoying the flights. I was super jealous of business class....they practically had beds.