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All this travel and I decided to hang around the hostel patio today. At home in San Diego, I'm always on the go and never sit still. I don't even have cable so it's not often I lay around and just relax. Since I've been in Thailand, I've been so relaxed and inspired visiting all the temples and making my wishes that I was fine with just sitting still all day. I said good morning to Bee at the breakfast stand on the front patio. She has made many of my meals since I've been at NapPark. I asked her to just surprise me today and I'm sure anything she makes will be great. She squinted her eyes at me and smiled, asking if I was sure I didn't want to just pick one. I told her to just prepare whatever she would make for herself, I'm sure I would love it.
I took a seat at one of the Thai lounge triangle pillows on the patio. Bee brought me over a cappuccino and asked how much longer I would be staying. I told her today was my last day and then I'll be flying up to Chiang Mai tomorrow morning. I sat on the patio and viewed hotels on my iPad to book for my last night in Thailand next Sunday. This was the only night I have yet to plan. I was thinking of treating myself that night to a nice hotel. Bee came back with a plate full of rice mixed with egg, tomato, onion and pepper. She said it was her favorite Thai breakfast. I thanked her and we talked about her recommendations of hotels.
After a few hours on the patio, I was beginning to like the lazy life. I ordered another cappuccino and spent most my afternoon researching plans for the remainder of my trip.
Later in the afternoon, I ventured out to the market and shopped around. I grabbed a late lunch and decided to branch out from my favorite Pad Thai and Green Curry dishes. I tried Sweet and Sour Chicken with rice for ฿50. It was now my new favorite. It wasn't until I got to Thailand that I truly noticed how oversized our meals are in The U.S. The portions are a third of the size in Thailand and you still feel full. It's no wonder we're all over weight.
I walked around the markets in search for a travel agency. Gene had told me the highlight of his entire trip was the Night Bike Tour through Bangkok. Since I had been lying around all day, I decided I had to do some kind of activity tonight. I walked back down Khao San Road into an agency and the woman said there was one at 1800 tonight. I pulled out my phone and it was 4:45pm. I asked if I still had time to make it and she nodded. She said I would have to walk down to the river and take the express boat to the Grand China Princess Hotel. She told me it would take about 15 minutes to get there and I could pay now. I told her I would have to go back to my hostel and change and then I would be back to pay. I ran back to NapPark, threw on shorts a tank and my tennis shoes and headed back. After paying, I looked at the clock that read 5:10pm. I asked her if she was sure I would make it in time by 6pm. She nodded and said "It only 15 minutes to China Hotel" I asked her even with the river boat and she nodded. She gave me the directions and I wrote them down. Straight down Khao San Road and turn right when it dead ends. Once you run into the river, take the river boat express to Tha Ratchawong, Pier 5. China Hotel will be on the left. I walked over to the door to leave and the sky was now dark gray. I turned to back to her and asked what will happen if it rains. She yelled, "More fun that way, Go!"
I started walking down Khao San when the rain came down. First a few sprinkles and then a downpour. Everyone on the streets fled for cover, including me. I stopped in a Massage parlor waiting for it to pass. I looked at my clock and it was 5:20pm I really didn't want to miss this tour so decided to run. I tucked my purse under my top and started jogging in the rain. There was now no one on the streets, so it was actually a perfect time to be running. I followed her directions and ran until the dead end and made a right. I ran until I reached another dead end and there was no river. I looked left and then right and was running out of time, I wasn't sure which direction to go. Across the street, I noticed a few people walk through a narrow alley way and disappear. With no other leads, I decided to follow this one. I crossed the street and ran through the dark alley way that spit me out right at the river. I turned left and followed the rickety pier all the way to the Express Boat.
Once I reached the counter, I paid ฿15 to get my ticket. I waited on the dock and pulled out my phone to check the time. It was 5:30pm. I would be cutting it close. It took another ten minutes for the boat to arrive. We boarded and within the minute, we were off. The boat stopped at the first Pier 12. We still had seven more stops to go and it was already 5:40pm. As the numbers descending at each stop, I grew more and more anxious. I wasn't even sure where the China hotel was once I got off the pier, hopefully it wasn't far.
Finally, we reached Pier 5 and I was one of the first ones off. I checked the time, I had seven minutes. I ran up the dock and reached a busy market. I scanned the area quickly for a hotel and saw no signs of a hotel. I walked up to a street vendor and asked if they knew where the Grand China Princess Hotel was and they nodded and pointed straight ahead. Far in the distance, I saw a tall building with the China Hotel sign.
I took off in a sprint and l laughed at the scenario I was in. That woman knew I wouldn't make it. It was 15 minutes just to the river alone. She just wanted to book me to collect her commission. What she didn't know was that I was an excellent runner. I ran through the market and across the busy streets closing my eyes on the last intersection in hopes I didn't overlook a car when I did my quick left, right check. I reached the hotel with one minute to spare.
Once in the lobby, I asked the concierge desk where I could find the bike tour and he pointed to the bar. I was guided to the rest of the tour group and two girls from Holland introduced themselves to me. Enge and Mika were their names and they were incredibly nice and asked me all about my travels so far. They had only arrived yesterday and asked for advice. After rattling off all the things to do, I realized that I had become very comfortable giving directions and navigating around Bangkok.
The tour guides Anne and Water directed us to the basement to select our bikes. We pedaled out of the garage and into the busy streets. Anne explained they would be taking us off the main roads and through the local Thai neighborhoods. We headed off and I quickly learned why Gene said this was the highlight of his trip. Water and Anne guided us through narrow back alleys made of red brick as we passed through local markets and homes. We saw a side of Bangkok we would have never experienced on the touristy Khao San Road.
Winding through the back alleys, we passed the local Thai families hanging out on the streets, cooking, eating and waving hello to us. While this area was old and extremely poor, the common theme was that everyone was happy. Slowly gliding by we passed home after home where you could see right into the living room, which was also their kitchen and bedrooms. Catching a quick glimpse into each, families lay on the floor watching television together. Every local on the street laughed as they socialized and said hello to us while we were crossing through their world. Two very different emotions were brewing up inside of me. First was that I was grateful to be having this once in a lifetime opportunity. Here I was biking through the streets of Bangkok, seeing Thailand in a completely different light. The second emotion was that I was filled with sadness and guilt. The way these families operated was so different than what we are accustomed to. I couldn't help but think about how happy they appeared yet living in absolute poverty. Is there truly a correlation between their belief, giving merit and practicing Buddhism? They all were so clearly content and happy. I shared the same feelings since I arrived, kneeling, giving merit and making wishes before Buddha. When I traveled to Spain and Italy last summer I don't remember seeing the same display of happiness in their countries.
We turned down another alley and Mika called my name and peddled up beside me. She asked if I felt as sad as she did and I nodded. She told me being in Thailand teaches you to have a deeper appreciation for the life you have. She shook her head as she considered all those nights she would complain that she didn't have anything to wear and must go to the mall to shop. In reality she had a closet full of endless clothes. I told her she stole the words right from my mouth. I could relate. She told me passing all those homes and peeking into their life made her feel so guilty. She vowed to alter her way of thinking when she got back to Holland.
We biked up along The Chao Phraya River and the bright lit skyline downtown reflected in the river. We crossed over through the Pak Khlong Flower Market. We pedaled through as the dozens of trucks unloaded fresh cut flowers for sale. This was the largest wholesale and retail flower market in all of Bangkok and was open twenty four hours a day. After the market, we pulled off to a street vendor to eat dinner. I sat with a family from England. They had traveled all over Thailand and told me the Elephant tour they just completed in Chiang Mai. This was one of my favorite things about leaving my agenda wide open. Other travelers give you the best advice on the must sees in each city. Gene gave me the night bike tour idea and now this family gave me the Elephant overnight trip. I asked the family if they watched any American TV
and the three teenagers said they love American shows. They grew excited and ran through all their favorites, How I met your mother, Friends, Lost and MTV. They asked me a lot of questions and seemed to be intrigued with me being an American. Traveling is funny that way, you sort of feel special because you're the only one from your country in a lot of scenarios. You find the things you sometimes overlook about your country, they find so fascinating.
We biked up and over the bridge, crossing the river. Anne led us right into to Wat Pho. It was closed to the public but open for our tour. We parked our bikes and walked through the now empty temple. To see the temple all lit up at night and free of tourists was a sight to see. This may have been my favorite part of the entire bike tour. We all scattered in the temple and I walked around where Gene, Michael and I had toured just days ago. It was so amazing at night. I walked along the strip of golden Buddha's and studied all of the different poses. I ran into Anne and asked the difference between the Buddha poses. She told me there are over 100 poses and each has a specific hand gesture called "Mudra." She told me the most common is the "Protection Buddha" with the right hand out signaling you to stop. This signifies courage, offering protection from fear and anger.
Anne asked if I knew the proper greeting in Thailand. She explained that there are three ways to greet or leave each other to show respect and give good feelings. This is referred to as Wai. The first way is friend to friend. You place press both palms together at your chest and bow your head. The next is to an elder or parent. Placing both palms together at your mouth and bow. Last is to worship Buddha, placing both palms together with your thumbs right at the bridge of your nose and bow.
Anne gathered us all together and we wrapped up our night tour of the temple. We biked back to the China Princess hotel and I was sad the tour was over. Mika, Enge and I grabbed a taxi back to Khao San Road and they asked if I wanted to join them out tonight. I was exhausted and leaving for Chiang Mai but promised to meet up with them when they arrived to Chiang Mai this week. I waved goodbye after we were dropped at Khao San Road and made my way through the chaotic street one last time.
I was sad to be leaving Bangkok tomorrow. I had such an unbelievable time in the first leg of my trip. For not having any plans, I managed to meet good people, have a great birthday and was exposed to a whole new culture that altered my perception.
- comments
Dayuuuum, That boy Ham is Fiiiiiinnnnnmeeee circa So, I should call you Mrs. Usain Bolt? You think you're a runner. Oh sure..... Freddy Fast Feet. Speedy McGhee.. I am an excellent runner. "When the world hides from the rain, I embrace it and run in it!! Girl, you are hilarious! Glad you made the trip. Glad you didnt let the elements slow you down. Glad you got to see The families gathered around. I was thinking about what you said in terms of the families and seeing it was sad to you. Poor/Poverty in U.S. is rich in other places. I was thinking my school district has about 60% students who are considered "lower economic standing" which is nothing like over seas poor. While they may get free-lunch, and busses take them to school, which is considered odd, they still have cell phones, and coordinate their shoes with outfits and find a way to get Retro Jordan's at Finish Line at 9:05 when the doors opened at 9:00. It's crazy. So really, it's not poor in many of their cases. It's putting money in other things, which for some reason we deem important. I have found it incredibly difficult to find the need to re-evaluate areas of my own life, which happens to me at the end of Summer Eye opening once again. SafeTravels!!
Kristen Cannot stop laughing at how you are writing what they say to you and how they say it! "More fun that way, GO!" Kinda like at the Japanese Steak house "I no care--open you mouf!" ahhahaha! <3