WAT in the...

Wats, better known to you and I as temples are a pennies throw from each other in many cities in Thailand, and Bangkok is no exception. Some are off the beaten track and are sorta run of the mill style, while others are decorated to the teeth and ornate as anything I have every seen in my life. Wat Phra Kaew also known as wat of the emerald buddha. Which surprisingly was much much smaller (the statue, not the complex) than I thought yet it is extremely respected and important to Thai culture. The base of the statue did however make up for the lack in size as it was the most beautiful pedestal I have ever had the privilege of seeing.

Besides the statue itself the grounds were immensely beautiful and decorated with shiny glass and gold and many aesthetic eye catchers, unfortunately it was also filled with ugly tourists like myself. Really I am finding it hard to describe in words. I will have to post photos shortly.

I had to kinda make it a quip trip because I have discovered to my demise that Thai pork and I do not get along. So i had to run for the runs. Quite unpleasant... One last note. The thrown rooms that were in the grand palace which is in the same complex were also beautiful, but the thrones themselves looked mighty uncomfortable. I don't think Thais care much for chair quality.


That day I also made it to one of the main malls in Bangkok. What a scene that was. Shoppers for days, really thousands of them. There was even a hotel. But it wasn't like a conventional mall from the states. It was like an outdoor market moved indoors. Had to get out quick. However as it goes for most malls many many many girlys around, most of which were quite babe-esq. Just goes to show a mall is a mall is a mall.


Another Wat of epic proportions is Wat Pho where the largest reclining Buddha in the world resides. Absolutely amazing to see. A huge golden (painted) buddha representing the stage before reaching enlightenment. It blew my mind absolutely. Also with hundreds of images carved into the feet and inlaid with pearl, awesome. There is a tradition that coins are dropped into bowls for wishes and good luck and the like. Well where the buddha was at there were hundreds of bowls and plenty of people dropping in coins. It literally sounded like different pitches of rain were falling in the room, really cool. This wat also houses the most buddha statues of any, quite an accomplishment?? There is also a massage school that is affiliated with the wat so got an awesome hour herbal massage for about 12 dollars. That is pretty expensive though. I think I will probably get one today for about 5, without sex of course. Those are much more expensive.


Some thoughts:

-Do as the signs say and don't take pictures where you aren't supposed to. The guards make you delete them.

-The bus is awesome, as long as it isn't rush hour. The collection system is very informal but the person with the collection tin is very professional, constantly clapping their metal pencil carrier at new arrivals.

-With the calm exterior of Thais I wonder if road rage exists?

-If you are going to take an overnight train, get the bottom bunk. It will save you some sleep.

-It seems that the hot soup that is served in such a warm environment is actually efficient at making it feel cooler outside. Also I don't think you can go wrong at a place that has a communal water cup.