Sa Wa Dee Ka from Bangkok
So we’ve finally stopped to take a breath and start this Blog (which we had planned on getting started within the first few days)—but REALLY, who can blame us, we’ve been sitting on a paradise beach for two weeks, eating delicious food, plenty of Chang (you might figure that out later), lying on the beach all day, dancing all night…with a little midnight swimming for good measure, ahem, exploring the Island and it’s herbal sauna ($4) and most importantly meeting the most amazing people, our little “Treehouse Family” and sharing travel stories and advice for places to come. But as much as this may sound completely self indulgent (well let’s be honest here), at the same time it was a much needed rejuvination/holiday from Bangkok and if you stick around for the next paragraph, you might know why…
Tonight we’re off to Chiang Mai and because we’ve got a bus to catch we are going cheat a little on this first entry-do a bit of cutting and pasting from old emails, so bear with us if you’re reading any of this for a second time.
Everything has been SUCH a whirlwind! O my goodness, really….pheeew, haha. Well, we have so far in just a few days and only being in Bangkok, seen things of such a beauty and peace to the most sensory assaultive experiences. The first 24-48 hours were rough, with some ups and downs in between since. The flight itself was actually quite pleasant and we both couldn’t believe how relatively short it felt. We watched a couple of movies, slept a bit, ate a few meals and it was over. One of the coolest parts of the flight was flying over central Russia (Kazikstan, Uzbekistan, etc.)…we actually flew the opposite way around the world than we thought we would, over Scandinavia etc. Once it got light enough to see the land there it was absolute tundra and looked like a crazy moonscape.
Once we got over the first 12 rush of gettting to Bangkok, we both have periods of just feeling pretty rough physically, with a bit I’m sure of some added mental stress. The first few days the jet lag really messed with us. Also, Bangkok has very bad air pollution that can really bother you…you really have to almost get to the point of blocking it out, altough we haven’t truly mastered that yet.
The first night was pretty funny. We passed out at midnight completely exhausted…like as soon as our heads hit the pillows. Then at 2:30 we both woke up totally awake. We were awake almost all night and it was pretty funny (the first night!) we had been up for hours each trying to be quiet so as not to wake the other and the Emily would whisper, “Catherine” and we would both burst out laughing because the other had been wide awake the whole time. Then we finally passed out for about a half hour at around 4:30 and then…THE ROOSTER!!!! O my goodness! What a privilege to have a rooster in the middle of a city of 10 million people living right outside your “bedroom” (using that word lightly). That God forsaken creature crows all morning long and by the time it stops the temperature and humidity have reached a point to only allow the comatose to sleep.
Which brings us to what has been so comically referred to as our “accomodations”. They are situated in Banglampu, a cheap touristy area. We stayed right off of khao san road, a super backpacker-y scene: people drinking all day and night, lots of street vendors, the works, but very cheap. some travellers never leave khao san-it’s comfortable and easy and fun, all the things you would imagine of spring break, but much more interesting crowd-for the most part anyway.
It actually makes us smirk a bit just trying to describe it and we have thought quite a few times how funny it would be if you saw it….the bathrooms, are well, hmm, let’s see. There are three for the guesthouse. two of which are holes on the floor that you squat over…number two and all if need be. What is convenient about them is if you need to go to the bathroom before you shower, you needn’t go far because the shower head is essentially above the toilet. And it’s nice to have scented body wash, or congestion from the smog if you wish, because the sewer system here can’t handle toilet paper, and it’s not the cultural tradition anyway. There is a little shower head next to the toilet, or whole that you are ideally supposed to use in lieu of tp. Now the catch to the scented body wash is, all the foreigners by their toilet paper especially for bm’s and is must be stowed in a little trash can next to the toilet/shower….at times the smell is intense. As disturbing as all this may sound, what is ever more disturbing is that we’ve kind of gotten used to it…well not the smell.
The rooms are BASIC, and the walls are paper thin. But in genral things are clean and it is VERY safe with good staff, free internet and some really cool people from all over staying here.
We spent our days primarily walking around where we could.
Bangkok is very spread out so we didn’t get to walk too much of it. it took us a while to transition and get over jetlag etc… we both felt a little out of sorts and tired and bangkok is so big and smoggy and hot. walking down the street was much sometimes, on more than one occasion we had to hold a tissue over our mouths because the air was so harsh and polluted.
Yesterday, we did one of the coolest things thus far. We went to this beautiful Wat (Buddhist temple). The grounds are massive and soooooo beautiful. The outside was all white walls and smooth marble floors with roofs and embelishments that are gold with beautiful mosiac designs. Inside the main temple was a massive (40 feets?) gold seated Buddha.
The coolest things was that we happened by chance to get there during a servie and later found out that yesterday was one of the holiest days for that temple. We kneeled on the floor with the rest of the people in front of the monks reciting their prayers.
It was beautiful.
The monks where these beautiful bright orange togas. After the service some people gathered on the floor in front of one of the older monks and so we joined them. He was blessing by flicking sticks dipped in holy water, much in the same way the priests do. Then he would give your a red string bracelet with five wooden prayer beads on it…all very cool. We walked a bit through the grounds and saw many monks gathered in another large temple behind the first one. We didn’t know if it was a special area for just the temples so tried to find out if you could get closer. We ended up speaking with this 26 year old monk who spoke English really well and told us about the special holy day at the temple and how he had started as a novice at 13 etc…it was very cool to talk to him.
Can’t wait to write (or cut and paste) all about ko Chang, paradise on earth, but we’re running late and will surely miss our bus if we sit around.
You are in our hearts and thoughts
We love and miss each one of you
Stay tuned for the next installent of our excellent adventure
-Emily and Catherine
Tags: Travel
EmilyCatherine
December 16th, 2005 at 12:29 am
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December 18th, 2005 at 2:34 am
hey girls-the blog looks cool- im still on ko chang but leaving tommorow-to ko mak-see ya paul
December 18th, 2005 at 4:45 am
Excellent job girls. Thank you so much. Looking forward to more installments! Love, Mom
December 18th, 2005 at 5:28 am
very cool guys. love that global information space. more pictures of the two of you.
rob
December 18th, 2005 at 5:36 am
FANTASTIC STUFF! Sounds like a blast. We miss you both and please be safe.
December 18th, 2005 at 5:38 am
I forgot to mention…. “Don’t get the gassss”.
December 18th, 2005 at 5:53 am
Hi girls, those pictures are AMAZING! i’m so glad i get to see this (i’ve already bookmarked you guys, so keep em coming!)… i can’t wait to hear more… miss your little voices. m. oh, and what dave berman said! ha!
December 18th, 2005 at 6:13 am
I’m so jealous, it all sounds so wonderful! Keep the stories coming so I can continue to live vicariously through you.
December 18th, 2005 at 6:21 am
Hi – Your blog is so great! I feel as if I’m there, too. Thanks for doing this. Love, Cousin Judy
December 18th, 2005 at 8:50 am
You brightened my day, I miss you so much – you too Catherine. I love hearing about funky toilets and seeing pictures of you guys. Being unemployed and homeless, it’s all I’ve got. 🙂
December 18th, 2005 at 9:54 am
What a wonderul way to share your journey – inspiring – you are global ciitizens! looking forward to learn more. love paulie
December 18th, 2005 at 10:31 am
Ladies, You have done a terrific job of making me feel a part of your awsome experiences. Keep it coming and please be safe.
All my love .
Mamacita
December 18th, 2005 at 1:17 pm
You guys think you’re so cool.
December 18th, 2005 at 1:41 pm
Ha. Anthony is right. You guys think you are soooo cool. Well, maybe you are a little bit cool. I miss you both a lot and I love hearing about your exploits. I have to ask…where are the midnight swimming pictures?
December 18th, 2005 at 2:06 pm
Nice work girls…Glad to hear that you made it there safe and sound!!!
Next time you girls are on a beach with sun on your faces and a drink in hand…think of me stuck in Canada were it’s -30 and snow all over….wish I was there!!!
Be safe have an amazing time!!!!!
Love,
Sarah
December 18th, 2005 at 6:13 pm
Your excellent adventure sounds fabulous……I was smiling cheek to cheek reading about your experiences in such detail. Love, Audrey
December 18th, 2005 at 6:18 pm
sounds great….much different experience then Mr. Ben. Have fun
December 19th, 2005 at 4:36 am
Hi girls!! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures – I just got the email, what an great way to start the day here!! Its icy, snowy and over all miserable here and all I can think about is how jealous I am that you guys are running through sandy beaches someplace around the world!! What an awesome trip – I can’t wait to hear more about it! You are both missed very much!
December 19th, 2005 at 11:32 am
Love reading this – thanks to Susan for passing it along. As you might guess, I thought the pictures of the Buddhist temple were totally awesome.
December 19th, 2005 at 11:33 am
Hi Em.
The pictures and the descriptions sound AMAZING! I am so glad you are having an awesome adventure. Please keep up with the blog, i am living my life vicariously through you! Miss you!
December 19th, 2005 at 3:00 pm
hey! sure looks/sounds like you are having a great time. loved those photos from the wat, especially. give ben a hug for me when you see him.
December 19th, 2005 at 4:34 pm
Oh my god i cannot believe you guys actually made it!!!!!! soooooo much fun and the pics look beautiful!!! what a great adventure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sooo jeoulou, i would love the experience, maybe not the toilets or hostils but everything else, well love you girls and keep those pics and stories coming, great job!! we have to get together when you get back!!! be safe love san
December 21st, 2005 at 5:41 pm
I have yet to determine what ‘Chang’ is but I have a pretty good idea – more toilet stories!!! Miss you…
December 22nd, 2005 at 3:44 am
Have you met any burly guys over there?
December 23rd, 2005 at 11:45 am
Well done, amazing story……waiting for the second episode….
Be safe take care
valerio
December 25th, 2005 at 10:00 am
Thanks for the asides about how safe you both are. It’s appreciated. Love hearing from you. Great pictures. Happy Chanukah, Christmas and New Years. We’ll be thinking of you.
Love, Mom (Susan)
December 25th, 2005 at 10:03 am
wow! – what a great gift for christmas morning. pictures are great but i love hearing the story you guys tell more than anything. must be hard sitting down and putting all this in, but it sure does it for us folks back here…
December 26th, 2005 at 11:28 am
This sounds too good for me to be missing…I wish I was on the next plane…Tell Ben and Kate to meet me there
December 27th, 2005 at 11:42 am
Simply amazing…keep enjoying and keep writing!
-amanda
December 29th, 2005 at 11:15 am
Have a very Happy New Year and keep updating your blog. FYI Republicans are everywhere (thank God)…. I should know.
-Uncle Howard Kirschenbaum (Emily’s Uncle in Los Angeles)
December 29th, 2005 at 12:10 pm
Suprised you rememberd my email!! Glad you did! Thanks for the link. Have fun.
January 2nd, 2006 at 12:45 am
Catherine and Emily! Your excellent adventure sounds ridiculously amazing. Never neverland looked sweet! Anyway Ryan and I hope all is well and just wanted to wish you both happy new year! : ) stay safe!!!!
January 2nd, 2006 at 3:03 am
YOU GUY’S ARE THE BEST! Wish I could be there. Love Dave.
January 6th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
Chrissy,
Wow, these are some great photos. You guys look like you are having a wonderful time. I am envious of your journey and want to see and hear more about it. What a wonderful experience. Be safe and have a great time. Love Uncle James
January 19th, 2006 at 7:22 pm
Catherine,
What do you mean there are no Republicans? When I ran into Ryan at the gym he was nice enough to forward me your travel blog info. You look like your having the time of your life. Enjoy it. You deserve it. Don’t forget the spread the gospels of social conservatism!!! That’s how you go from third world to, well, us. Love ya, Adam
January 20th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
This looks like the cultural experience of all experiences. Have you met any Asians yet or just licking spider monkeys on acid? ???
Anonymous in Milton
March 11th, 2006 at 9:06 am
Hey Girls!!!
Unfortuantely our ‘excellent adventure’had to finsih and now weare home in Sydney! The flight back was ok but we were very sad to leave – !
Hope that your last day in Saigon was cool how were the tunnels??
Talk to you soon – Catherine – hope you are feeling better
later alligators
Robin & Libby
March 17th, 2006 at 7:16 pm
Emily,
I will be staying at the Shanghai Hilton from March 24-27. If you feel like crashing with your friend I will be there. Just ask for Kirschenbaum at reception!
April 10th, 2006 at 1:52 am
Hey Trekkers!
Ladies, When are you coming home? Ari and I are graduating (finally) you need to come and visit us in New Orleans! But seriously, post when you are coming home!
-Smooches
June 1st, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Oh my god i cannot believe you guys actually made it!!!!!! soooooo much fun and the pics look beautiful!!! what a great adventure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sooo jeoulou, i would love the experience, maybe not the toilets or hostils but everything else, well love you girls and keep those pics and stories coming, great job!! we have to get together when you get back!!! be safe love steph