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"A flattened anthill"
I've been reading Paul Theroux's 'The Great Railway Bazaar' and his description of Bangkok as a flattened anthill is right on the mark - just one day's intensive walking around the city was enough to give that exact impression. That's not to say that I didn't like it - there's lots to like, especially the constantly surprising contradictions - but it's definitely not a city in which I could spend a long time.
We made the uninformed decision to stay in a hostel about 7km from the centre, but our walk into town to see some of the sites meant we got to experience the gradual changes as the city became more built-up. I think it's fair to say that both Sivi and I were rendered speechless when we came across Boots AND Tesco! Not even in Madrid could we buy Boots' own toiletries... A trip into Tesco revealed some bizarre local variations; favourites include the blueberry and hazlenut flavoured Pringles, and the Tesco Thai chicken soup, made in Chesham and exported back to the country that invented it.
A bit more aimless wandering, not helped by the almost deliberate lack of street signs in English, led us to mini-Israel - all of a sudden the Thai signs which we kept trying to read as though they were written in Hebrew (some of the letters look confusingly similar) became comprehensible, to Sivi at least. So we decided which Israeli-run hostel we'll be staying in when we return to Bangkok at the end of the trip, and scouted out some of the cafes and restaurants around the area too. Very much looking forward to the return visit, although that does also mean hometime, an impossibly distant prospect at this stage.
Next time we'll probably spend less time in supermarkets and pharmacies, and more time seeing the sites - this time round we only made it to, and were very impressed by, the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha before the heat, jet-lag and epic trek into town got the better of us.
Next stop, Bali!
- comments
Louise Caplin It was fantastic to read this from you - but I can't find any photos of you - am I being thick? I am so happy to get this from you and hope that you have had a wonderful boat trip. As far as the Rosh Hashonah thing in Singapore - use the credit card and sign up for both days - our treat!!! Lots of love, Mummy
Karen Pomerance hi simone, glad youre having an amazing time. how do i get to see your pics ??? lots of love x
Karen Pomerance hi simone, glad youre having an amazing time. how do i get to see your pics ??? lots of love x
Neil Goring Greetings--sounds really fantastic. we are looking forward to next instalment. Much love from Sandra and Neil
adam caplin I love the way your mother says "use the credit card" (-: It is WONDERFUL to be able to follow and "feel" your experiences even though you are so far away and we miss you dearly. Another good Uni Challenge I had to watch on my own :-( lotsa luv and kisses xxx Dad
Grandma & Grandpa It was wonderful to hear of your exploits. We were delighted to hear that you are so enjoying the trip. We look foward to hearing more good things when we go round to mummy & daddy. Love Grandma & Grandpa (typed by Dad)
Grandma & Grandpa It was wonderful to hear of your exploits. We were delighted to hear that you are so enjoying the trip. We look foward to hearing more good things when we go round to mummy & daddy. Love Grandma & Grandpa (typed by Dad)
Myra Caplin Lovely to share your trip. Always been my dream. I am loving every moment. Keep the blog going. Put photos on the blog and enable mummy and daddy to view the albums in facebook cos only Daniel can show them to us. all my love Grandma Myra xxx