There is soo much I would like to say here. Many comments I have made to myself concerning what I have witnessed and the places and attractions that I have been to so far. They are very few and yet I could write for days.
Let us simply begin with the title. When you order a meal (this is strictly from the street however, not sure about restaurants) you are given a fork and spoon. The fork is also flat, no curve. The fork is used as the knife would be in our great America, and the spoon serves the role of the fork. Silly,? not really it works quite well.
I began my stay on a road called Khao San, a pure backpacker decompression zone. Filled with fake Habianas (sandals w/ the Brazilian flag), ridiculous amounts of clothing and many bars and people trying to sell you suits and fish massages ( they eat the dead skin on your feet, the fishes ofcourse).
Anyway the street is very international, the only Thais are those trying to sell stuff. Except for these two last night, but that will come in a latter post...
The first attraction I made it to was this one that a tuk tuk (three wheeled carriages that are powered by a small two-stroke engine) driver convinced me to go to. Apparently the tallest buddha statue in thailand.
Anyway I walk into this shrine room and this little (redundant) old toothless lady gives me some incense that has leaves of gold wrapped in paper and some garland. I have no idea what to do and she leads me through it. Burn the incense while kneeling, put it in pot. Apply gold leaf to one of many figures of buddha, or the king (I think, it might also have been ghandi??). then pay for the offering and depart knowing that you are closer to peace of mind. The statue was kinda of cool, sorta lame compared to what I have seen now (pictures to come soon I promise), but the surrounding temple, wat, was gorgeous. The level of ornate decoration and the use of shiny and colorful glass is unbelievable. Here was no exception. I also saw a group of school children (under 8 years old) gather and pray and recite with this monk that was sitting to the side of one of the temple buildings. Very heart warming. 
Let us simply begin with the title. When you order a meal (this is strictly from the street however, not sure about restaurants) you are given a fork and spoon. The fork is also flat, no curve. The fork is used as the knife would be in our great America, and the spoon serves the role of the fork. Silly,? not really it works quite well.
I began my stay on a road called Khao San, a pure backpacker decompression zone. Filled with fake Habianas (sandals w/ the Brazilian flag), ridiculous amounts of clothing and many bars and people trying to sell you suits and fish massages ( they eat the dead skin on your feet, the fishes ofcourse).
Anyway the street is very international, the only Thais are those trying to sell stuff. Except for these two last night, but that will come in a latter post...
The first attraction I made it to was this one that a tuk tuk (three wheeled carriages that are powered by a small two-stroke engine) driver convinced me to go to. Apparently the tallest buddha statue in thailand.
Anyway I walk into this shrine room and this little (redundant) old toothless lady gives me some incense that has leaves of gold wrapped in paper and some garland. I have no idea what to do and she leads me through it. Burn the incense while kneeling, put it in pot. Apply gold leaf to one of many figures of buddha, or the king (I think, it might also have been ghandi??). then pay for the offering and depart knowing that you are closer to peace of mind. The statue was kinda of cool, sorta lame compared to what I have seen now (pictures to come soon I promise), but the surrounding temple, wat, was gorgeous. The level of ornate decoration and the use of shiny and colorful glass is unbelievable. Here was no exception. I also saw a group of school children (under 8 years old) gather and pray and recite with this monk that was sitting to the side of one of the temple buildings. Very heart warming. 
Next made it to the lucky buddha. Called such because there was a bomb dropped on the building where it is housed and it was a dud. GO buddha... The gentleman there watching the shrine was usually the engineer of construction on the temple right next to it, but it was his day off or something.
Very nice man named Art who told me about the statue and the history and about the area that we were near. So far any Thai I have gotten to know or talk to that wasn't involved with money was full of kindness. Quite a treat. 
Saw a few other things that day, but don't want to write about them now, also some are not appropriate for this blog as it will most likely remain PG for all those who love me to continue doing so.
A few thoughts from my first day however.
1. Feral cats are certainly the new temple guardian.
2. Where is the designer/fashion market for H1N1 masks?
3. That's okay, I came mostly for the massage anyway.
4. One of the last cities I would want to drive it.
However number 4 leads to the underlying order of what seems a very chaotic environment. It can be seen in the traffic, how wares are delivered, the way businesses are set up, and nearly everything else, at least in Bangkok. This thought will continue to develop and I will continue to share.
Saw a few other things that day, but don't want to write about them now, also some are not appropriate for this blog as it will most likely remain PG for all those who love me to continue doing so.
A few thoughts from my first day however.
1. Feral cats are certainly the new temple guardian.
2. Where is the designer/fashion market for H1N1 masks?
3. That's okay, I came mostly for the massage anyway.
4. One of the last cities I would want to drive it.
However number 4 leads to the underlying order of what seems a very chaotic environment. It can be seen in the traffic, how wares are delivered, the way businesses are set up, and nearly everything else, at least in Bangkok. This thought will continue to develop and I will continue to share.
