Bangkok
Aaah Bangkok ,oh Bangkok…the true definition of hustle and bustle…a 3rd world coming to grips with its Americanization and Modernization, gold-encrusted Buddhist temples, shanty town tin shacks, ultra-modern shopping centers, and the river canals that are proof why this city used to be called the “Venice of the East”. The maze like streets are full of black smoke emitting glorified go-carts called Tuk Tuks, taxis, motorcycles, and buses all ready to take you to everyplace you don’t want to go for “a special price for you handsome man.”
The people…the smiles, a spirit rarely encountered in the west, they know...and they smile...love. 6 million of them, saffron robed monks, suited businessman, backpackers in their new thai threads, legless beggars crouched on the dirty street with their hands held above waiting for any sort of donation or for God to take them to another place…trani-boys, reclining Buddhas, conmen, shamen and the young Thai men and women whose energy and smiles are intoxicating. Truly, the land of smiles! People here base their decisions on the “sanuk” (Fun) factor.
One must have their bearings, mind, and patience together to be able to traverse this city amidst the lung stifling exhaust that clouds the air, not to mention all the drivers that seem to think that they are participants in Death Race 2000, the humidity that makes you sweat like you didn’t know you could, and the constant barrage of people trying to sell you something or take you somewhere. There is something here though, an energy that makes it all worth it..
Malcolm and I descended on Khoa San Road to pick up any last minute supplies before the proper adventure begins in Bali in a few days. “Chaos” San Rd., famous backpackers colony, meeting grounds for all the brothers and sisters who seek more, whose curiosity cannot be quenched within their country’s borders…English, French, Australian, Chilean, Japanese, Spanish, American, Canadian, African...blinking lights, pumping music, brilliantly colored fabrics, neon signs, the zoom zoom of tuk-tuk taxis, 25 cent street cart pad thai. Vendors selling you everything you could never want, smiling, buying, laughing, loving it and hating it...khoa san rd.
The past two days have been very strenuous, getting adjusted to the sweltering heat, the third world culture, the time change, and having to make a radical switch in perspective can take a lot out of you. After living the reality of jobs, deadlines, band practice, bills, strict time management, and the mental mind state you have to be in to survive, not to mention flourish in Los Angeles, it can take some time to make that change. I think once we hit the jungle arts utopia that is Ubud, Bali on Saturday, our minds and bodies will be much farther along on that evolution.
The people…the smiles, a spirit rarely encountered in the west, they know...and they smile...love. 6 million of them, saffron robed monks, suited businessman, backpackers in their new thai threads, legless beggars crouched on the dirty street with their hands held above waiting for any sort of donation or for God to take them to another place…trani-boys, reclining Buddhas, conmen, shamen and the young Thai men and women whose energy and smiles are intoxicating. Truly, the land of smiles! People here base their decisions on the “sanuk” (Fun) factor.
One must have their bearings, mind, and patience together to be able to traverse this city amidst the lung stifling exhaust that clouds the air, not to mention all the drivers that seem to think that they are participants in Death Race 2000, the humidity that makes you sweat like you didn’t know you could, and the constant barrage of people trying to sell you something or take you somewhere. There is something here though, an energy that makes it all worth it..
Malcolm and I descended on Khoa San Road to pick up any last minute supplies before the proper adventure begins in Bali in a few days. “Chaos” San Rd., famous backpackers colony, meeting grounds for all the brothers and sisters who seek more, whose curiosity cannot be quenched within their country’s borders…English, French, Australian, Chilean, Japanese, Spanish, American, Canadian, African...blinking lights, pumping music, brilliantly colored fabrics, neon signs, the zoom zoom of tuk-tuk taxis, 25 cent street cart pad thai. Vendors selling you everything you could never want, smiling, buying, laughing, loving it and hating it...khoa san rd.
The past two days have been very strenuous, getting adjusted to the sweltering heat, the third world culture, the time change, and having to make a radical switch in perspective can take a lot out of you. After living the reality of jobs, deadlines, band practice, bills, strict time management, and the mental mind state you have to be in to survive, not to mention flourish in Los Angeles, it can take some time to make that change. I think once we hit the jungle arts utopia that is Ubud, Bali on Saturday, our minds and bodies will be much farther along on that evolution.
posted by Sagedrummer at 9:44 PM
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