Bangkok Day 2 Chatuchak Weekend Market
Hi all,

Going to bed early was probably the best decision I've made for a while as that night a western woman was shot in the head on Koh San Road, right next to my guest house. I didn't hear a thing but everyone was talking abut it the next day. Well, everyone but the Thai's, this is not good for them as it may put off western tourists who spend all the money. I couldn't find anything else out about it but was just glad I wasn't out and about.

I decided I would go to the Chatuchak Weekend Market todayas it wasn't too far away and has over eight thousand stalls. I didn't really need to do anymore shopping but thought it was worth a look, I had until 6pm anyway before my bus to koh Tao was due to leave.
I impressed myself by being able to find the correct bus stop to go from and then actually getting on the right bus. I was interesting as it was one of the buses the locals use to get from a - b and I was the only westerner on there. They looked at me strangly for a while but soon got bored of that and resumed staring out of the window again. They were probably wondering why I was taking this bus when I could probably afford to get a taxi or tour bus. My answer would be because I am on a budget and this is much more fun - not knowing where to get off, where you will end up, how you're going to get back! No worries, I got to the right place in one piece, despite a few near misses with the tuk tuks and all for 7 baht (about 10p).

I walked through the market and was over whelmed by the number of people there, if you think Koh San Road is busy, it's got nothing on this! It was mostly Thai's doing their weekly shopping, I wondered if Thai's also did a 'big shop' at the weekend - it did seem that way. I wandered around the market and it was hot and sweaty and I got lost amongst the stalls quite a few times. The number of stalls was ridiculous, you cold never get round them in 1 day, I doubt even with a whole weekend to spare. I give it a good try but decided to head home after I saw one of the saddest sights, if not the saddest sight, since I have been away. I was lost, again, and ended up wondering into a section that seemed to be selling pet food, bowls, dog baskets etc. I then saw all these cages with tiny puppies in them for sale, that was quite upsetting, but then I saw this one dog on it's own near the back of the stall. It was also in a cage, a tiny cage, but this dog wasn't a puppy anymore and was so squashed up it didn't look like he still had the use of his legs. He looked up at me with the saddest expression and then bowed his head back down miserably. Tears started rolling down my face, I wanted to do something but what can you do? I had to leave as it was too horrible.

I got back on the bus and headed back to Koh San Road to get my bus overnight to Koh Tao. It made me think about how much I love Thailand and couldn't wait to get back here but then that there are also things about Thailand that are not so great and that you'd much prefer you hadn't seen. Hopefully being able to finally do my open water dive course will be as much fun as I think it's going to be........Lots of love Jules x x x