Open Features: 1 - Time For Thailand
Sweet, sunny July. Here we are, heading into the holiday season. To get you in the holiday mood Open Writing today brings the first in a series of e-mails-home from Maria Volant.
Maria, who was born in Italy, is married to a Frenchman and lives in England, gives a lively account of a holiday in Thailand. More of Maria's messages from the exotic holiday front will be appearing day-by-day for the next twelve days.
Yoohoo From Bangkok
Well hello, here we are in Thailand. Nearly didn't get here on time as they told us at Abu Dhabi that the plane was full. We were all very British and wheedled our way on.
Met by Eva at the airport. On to a cute,very Zen guest house. Our room has air con and a bathroom. A bit of a culture shock as they don't approve of loo rolls. Instead every loo has its own COLD shower attached, with which you wash your hem hems after using loo. Good grief!
Everyone removes shoes before entering loads of places, eg living quarters, temples, massage and beauty parlours,and lots of businesses. Torrential rain for an hour yesterday. Fought our way through ankle-deep puddles to sit in restaurant, soaking wet. Fairly warm so dried off slowly while noshing.
Went to market yesterday, and local temple,which has floor-to-ceiling gold Buddha. Explored Thawet, our local area. It has its own sense of community and identity.Today we took mad, fast river boats back and forth, visited Grand Palace and Temple of Emerald Buddha etc. Took hours. Saw posh Royals leave palace,with entourage of 30+ cars
Everyone reveres Royal Family. As our taxi driver hurtled around he took his hands of the wheel while bowing to massive poster of King. Scary when you are doing 50mph on bends. Everyone overtakes when they want. ignore rules of the road and pedestrian crossings etc.
Lots of friendly quite well looked after cats and dogs wandering around happily. Traffic zigzags around them and nobody minds.
Went to Banglampu area, Koh San Road, where you can buy fake i.d. and be whatever you want. Prices crazily low. Main dishes one or two pounds. Haven't tried roadside cafes yet but will soon.
Full Moon festival today,and lots of religious goings on. Chanting, offerings to Buddha and Goddesses with flowers and incense, and full on temple attending. Will go out later to see what's happening re festival. Wather a bit erratic, warm but overcast and occasional drizzle.
So many fabulous, brightly coloured and gold buildings,make us feel dizzy.Going to be weird returning after the sights,smells and sounds we've experienced in just two days!
Love to all...
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