Let's Recap Some of Bangkok

A few days, a few sights and lots of laughs.

Picture 9 family members caravaning through Bangkok.  Our ages range from the freshness of 23 to the wiseness of 87.  How does this grouping work?  My theory is that we are all on this journey for our own personal reasons and they seem to be, for now, complimentary.  Some may be simply sight seeing and adding yet another country to their travel repertoire.  Others may be doing it for the company - consistent togetherness may be placed as a priority at a certain time in one's life for reflection and enjoyment.  We may be travelling to far off, foreign places but, for some, what better way to remember, than to return to where you started and be with those you love.  And still others are expanding from the inside, viewing other ways of life, deepening their understanding of the world and therefore, themselves.  Whatever reason it may be, here is how we spent our days, together.

Let's be more specific on how we traveled to and fro the sites of Bangkok.  We opted to use the Tuk Tuk service.  A Tuk Tuk is a three wheeler scooter that has a seat in the back for two (sometimes more) passengers.  The Tuk Tuk follows no rules on the road and weaves in and out of traffic as it pleases, including driving straight into on-coming cars, trucks, buses, and fellow Tuk Tuk drivers.  As we brushed death a few times, our outbursts of screams and laughter poured from this open air, fume protruding, mode of transportation.  As we were 9, we were split between two Tuk Tuk's and watching the other group of 3 -4 squeezed in and holding on for dear life was hysterical as they whizzed by or vice versa. And so the Tuk Tuk took us to the Golden Palace, the Golden Statue, and we were blinded by the bling bling here, there and everywhere.  Excuse my lack of enthusiasm, but personally, commercial sight seeing isn't my cup of tea.  Nonetheless, the observation of the city, the people and the way of life was fulfilling.  I received more than enough of this to feel satisfied.

As we were driving from one sight to the next, our Tuk Tuk driver would say, "I take you fashion, you look five minute."  "I take you jewelery, very nice." Great, we wanted to shop, let's go! We arrive at a tailor shop.  We walk in and there are approximately 10 blue suited sales people ready to take your measurements and sell you some "real thai silk" and guarantee that "it be ready tonight".  Our party of 9 got out of there fast and furious.  After a few of these not so impressive shopping excursions, we caught on to the trick.  Our sweet, non-english speaking drivers get a commission of some sort when they bring customers to certain stores.  Our driver got free gas.  Happy we could be of service.

Now let's go do some real shopping.