Venice of the East

Small Coca-Cola magnets, faded and fuzzy dice, old Happy Meal toys made from plastic, and cheap sunglasses.  This is the majority of what I passed as I made my exit from the Chatuchak Weekend Market this morning.  We were on the outskirts of the area that the market sits in and the small tables and carts were overflowing with the aforementioned "goods."  The prices were marked incredibly low in Baht and I wondered if anyone ever bought anything.  There's a true sense of how little people living in these crowded cities really have.  In the U.S., I feel as if our poverty is out of the public eye for the most part and it's easy for us to forget about people in need.  Every day of this trip, I am constantly reminded of how fortunate I am.  I am receiving the best education of my life out here and I love it.

Rewind: I arrived in Bangkok two days ago after a long train ride.  I think Lucian enjoyed the train a little more than I did, however, I was plagued with a horrible ear infection that started up the morning before we left Malaysia.  I feel as if it's warmer here than both Manila and Kuala Lumpur but I push on, sling my backpack over my shoulders and follow Lucian on our quest to find our next hostel.  The Asha Guest House is nice and very clean.  I do find it odd that we pass about six 7-Eleven's from the metro station to our room...Lucian does not recommend the Slurpee's from the one across the street.

 A view of our train before we boarded

 A happy Lucian while while riding (a surfeit of snacks sits behind him)

Our first night in Bangkok was spent in the Patpong District or the Redlight District.  The streets and buzzing neon signs in this neighborhood were far from discreet and we were hassled at every turn by club workers trying to get us to come in, see girls, and take in a show.  We pushed through and had some dinner and felt slightly uneasy at the hoards of old, white men propositioning these young girls.  Jeni, I see what you mean now ;-)

The next day we spent at the Chatuchak Weekend Market.  It is the biggest outdoor market in the world and is a sprawling 35 acres with over 15,000 stalls offering everything from young kittens, furniture, Buddha statues, jewelry, clothing...literally anything under the sun. Spending less than $15, I've acquired two tops and a dress, it feels good! Lucian enjoyed the coconut ice cream, complete with coconut milk and the shell.  He ate 3 of them this morning and I think he may have regretted it.

 A guy at a popular tea stand entertaining the market crowd

From what I've read and since arriving, Bangkok isn't packed with a lot of things to do.  Many of the attractions are outside of the city or in the south where the beautiful beaches sit.  Cambodia and Vietnam are reoccurring thoughts for the future.  At times, I find myself feeling incredibly out of place here.  I constantly have to think about my next move, recount my money, watch my belongings, etc.  I want to blend in and walk with ease, the way I do back in the states.  I often times have to tell myself to slow down out here.  People on the streets take their time as they walk along the sidewalk, stop and chat with street vendors, and mingle with friends.  In the states, we all walk so fast and somewhat orderly...it's something I haven't yet gotten accustomed to.