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Last Day in Bangkok STORIES & VISUALS

Thursday, December 1st, 2005

My last day in Bangkok, I wasn’t entirely unhappy to leave. I’ll admit it. I was ready to get home. I pretty much just spent the day walking around, then sitting outside a Bon Pan at the Central shopping mall (that 7 story shopping mall), with a ceaser salad in order to wait out the rain. (Don’t worry, I did eat plenty of Thai food while I was in Bangkok!)

After that I saw Corpse Bride to which I refer in my last post about Bangkok. It did, in fact, turn out to be in English with Thai subtitles. Later I headed to try and find the American Embassy and Lumphini Park both of which I was hoping to find on my first day before I started walking in the wrong direction. Here’s the first thing I passed bearing the Seal, with the words “United States Embassy” or was it “American Embassy.” Anyway, I was surprised by what I saw. An eight-foot chain-link fence with barbed wire at the top surrounded a fifteen-foot wide mote that surrounded bright green grass lawns across which were scattered aged trees and buildings. I was amazed that the US of all places would ever have an embassy that inviting. It reminded me of the embassies I used to see in films about the first world wars. I asked myself, well if there’s no other defence (which I find very surprising), then how many mines are there spread across that lawn and in that mote?

I can only assume this is the old American embassy

But of course as I walked on past the Japanese Embassy, the Embassy of the Netherlands, and a few others, I came across a concrete fortress with prison-size windows and thick concrete walls probably reinforced by steel, and a series of heavy duty iron gates. I recognized it immediately, although this time the characteristic machine gun bearing marines were not standing menacingly oustide the gates as they often like to have them do. Still, it all made much more sense.

I walked on down Thanon Witthayu toward the park, and found it. The park was brimming with life and the deeper I walked into its interior the less I saw, smelled, or heard of the city of insanity that lay outside its walls. It was a calm in the chaos, an oasis, the Central Park of Bangkok. And it was crowded; crowded with runners and walkers, lovers, children playing, teens playing with woven balls or waiting for a concert to begin by the King Rama VI Statue, all enjoying themselves. I took a walk around, past gazebos, pruned trees, dirty canals and ponds. I watched the sunset as friendly Thais smiled at me, and I smiled back. It was a pleasent place to be, a safe place away from the concrete, where I could still see that world, but I didn’t have to taste it, I wasn’t consumed by it.

I headed back out of the park, and as I reached the entrance through which I’d come, I saw a cow-patched cat, crouched, ready to pounce. So I paused to see what she was stalking. It was another cat who looked grey in the dim light. She was hiding among some plants, obviously scared. I began to stalk the cow-patched cat. I wanted to see if I could spook her out of her vindictiveness. I stood by, and jumped toward her. She looked at me unconcerned, then back at her prey. The grey cat jumped, startled, looked at me with frightened eyes and mewed. All I’d done was spook her more. Then suddenly the cow-patched cat pounced, and batted miss grey in the face with an open paw. Strange cats!

Finally when it was dark, I went to the tailor where the bell boy had first taken me when I woke up that first morning in Bangkok. I am very embarrassed to admit that I payed $116 for two pairs of tailored pants that ended up not even fitting right, but if admitting can serve as a warning to you; I’ll gladly do it. I know I should have not taken them, and that for Thailand especially, they were grossly overpriced. I was jipped, as hard as it is to admit. But I had somehow been worn down by everything, and had lost my bargaining edge. That won’t be happening again! My advice, if you buy something tailored, don’t pay more than $20/item, US$20, NZ$20 whatever currency you use, don’t pay more than $20. Just say NO!

But anyway… I stopped off at the Central shopping mall to buy some airplane reading at the bookstore on the 7th floor. They had a fair selection for a country that technically isn’t an English speaking nation. They didn’t have Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which I have been wishing for, but they did have a number of other options. I have to say reading was never my forte until I left for this trip. In 5 months I have read, for pleasure mind you, seven books, something that would normally take me about 3 years. Bottom line, travel changes you, in many ways. You will always be surprised.

Bangkok VISUALS: Part II: The Part I Didn’t Like

Monday, November 28th, 2005

[read on]

Bangkok VISUALS: Part I: The Part I Liked

Monday, November 28th, 2005

These photos were taken in the various parts of Bangkok I visited and happened to really enjoy seeing. The Grand Palace, for example, is of a kind of ornate beauty I have never seen before. It is just ... [Continue reading this entry]

No Regrets

Tuesday, November 15th, 2005
You know what I just remembered? Why I wanted to go to New Zealand, or at least how the idea got in my head. After so many people asked me and I didn't have an answer, I finally remembered. I ... [Continue reading this entry]

Finally the Real Thailand and the Usual Me

Monday, November 14th, 2005
Alright, I'm back on my feet with the quickest recovery I ever made, and I think I will now provide you with the sane, fair version of what I think of Bangkok, and how it's been so far. Thank you ... [Continue reading this entry]

Feeling Better

Sunday, November 13th, 2005
EDIT: Alright, the following was said not entirely fairly. For a better description of Thailand, visit this page: Finally the Real Thailand and the Usual Me, Last Day in Bangkok, Bangkok Visuals: the Part I ... [Continue reading this entry]

Last days in Sydney, and first day in Bangkok

Saturday, November 12th, 2005
Camilla left Sydney for Fiji on Wednesday, and I went off to Bondi Beach. I lay out under the sun, the one I was telling you about that is so strong it just goes right through you leaving no shadow, ... [Continue reading this entry]