SA-WAD-DEE-KA

SA-WAD-DEE-KA! means Hello.

It's about time I write my Blog, it's been challenging with my computer down and also I'm out exploring! My computer is at the shop here in Chiang Mai and photos are building up in the camera and phone as you can imagine. I'm working with limited photo's on Allan's computer. It's been 12 days here in Thailand and instead of day by day I will just let you know my impressions and what has transpired in random as things blur together like in the markets here after about a half hour, I get cross-eyed!

 We landed in Bangkok, my first time in Asia. It is January 3rd so all the holiday decorations are still around. I think my first photo was of the electrical lines. I am back in Mexico 25 years ago! What a tangled mess.

Then the giant Buddah sculpture that I wrap myself in. I am so happy to be in a city again with Artwork everywhere. They have telephone booths, and of course I must pose in it, and giant times square like electronic billboards. Let me also say it was a breeze getting to the Lit hotel, transportation isn't a problem here. The hotel was very modern and interesting. The bathroom was long and narrow and quite fancy. All in all it was very clean and comfortable room. We had a day to explore so we walked around and saw the malls and street venders (got my Thai Ice tea immediately of course!) and then decided to go to Jim Thompsons house that Allan talked of in his blog. What I enjoyed was the river walk behind the house where the boats rushed past as we walked along the graffiti filled alley. The smells and noises and action just stimulating my senses completely. I felt like my eyes were circling around in my head trying to take in all the sights.

Uwe's Place

The airbnb was as pictured, clean, well decorated and comfortable for us for the next 8 days. The funny thing in this place was that the shower curtain opened onto the kitchen sink, so as you washed your dishes you could watch your partner shower! Actually it was made to let light in the bathroom as it was a studio railroad apt. We were in Hillside Condo 4 with a balcony, pool, fitness centre, minimart, massage spa, a little restaurant and of course their Spirit House (I'll talk later on those). Hillside Condo 4 was centrally located, where we could walk to "Maya" a giant mall or "Kad Suan Kaew" the older mall. Nimmanhaemin road was also close (a chic happening street). Those damn roosters followed me here, one with a scratchy throat woke me up early each morning. I am just amazed at how you can get anything you can possibly want except a Tea ball (you know the metal ones you put loose tea in!) I'll just have to buy a funky elephant one in ceramics that I saw!

Allan and I have been exploring each day different areas. Crossing the road may well be the most dangerous thing in the city. I am feeling safe here otherwise. The different modes of transportation for us are the Tuk Tuk's, Rickshaws, Songtaos and Taxi's.

Tuk Tuks are scooters with an attached seat you ride in (two maybe 3 people). They are 50 Baht and up based on distance or night time. Bargaining is part of the fun for some, not me! 

32 baht = $1.00.

Rickshaws are more like a bike with an attached seat and they are at markets and 30 Baht.

 The Song taos are a shared kind of taxi with multiple seats fixed onto a truck. You tell the guy where you want to go, if he wants to go that way he will say a price, you bargain, then jump in. Along the way he will pick up passengers going the same way. It is not direct unless you hire him for yourself. Taxi's, like back home, must be called and are more expensive then the above mentioned. Allan and I have ridden in all but the rickshaws so far. I enjoy the Tuk Tuk's as they weave in and out of the traffic and get you there quicker, but the Songtao's are cheap and efficient as well. I will not be driving in this town, not because they drive on the left but because they come from both sides and weave in and out and the streets are narrow and far too many people.

Rickshaw

 We have been to the Night market ( I will write a blog on that later), the Warorot market, the local old market ( not too many foreigners go there) and the Old City with its Wat's (another Blog). I am told there are 400 of these Wats around the city and I believe it. They are incredible, I need lots of time to just sit and take them all in. 

After 3 days we had arranged to go Apt./House hunting with a company called Expat Homes. (This is also another Blog to follow.)

I was happy to get a phone number the second day we got here. Dtac is one of many carriers that you can find anywhere. I had unlocked my phone before I left so it went smoothly. There is cell service and internet EVERYWHERE in Thailand, and FAST!

What have I noticed you ask? 

That people do not honk their horns much at ALL. I haven't heard but one siren either. You rarely hear a parent yelling at their kids, if fact, I haven't. The people are not pushing you to buy from them, they just smile and wait. The Thai's are quiet as well.

Elders are respected, and people are respectful in general.

You bow with your hands together after saying thank you, and there are different ways to bow depending on the person you are talking to. There are guards opening doors and saluting you at the malls. You pay your electric/water and internet bill at the 7/11 stores ( there are plenty). Foreigners don't own businesses or houses, Thai's do. We can own condo's, as it is not land, and many do and rent them on Airbnb. At our meeting with Brett and TaTa from Expat's Homes, we learned plenty of things, about where to go for electronic repair, to get household items, Thai culture and how to write our names in Thai!

Another difference for me is that the Thai's do not all have hot water in the whole house, Sometimes not in the Kitchen and sometimes not in the Bathroom sink either, only the shower. The average salary for an office person of sorts is 500 Baht a day some labourers much less! 

Massage is available all over the street as well. You can be massaged in front of people walking by or have a mattress on the floor with a curtain around you, after changing into some of their comfortable jammies! I can tell you about my 3 treatments later. Average price is about $8/hour. So much more to say, but saving it for another day! Thanks for reading. SA- WA- DEE- KA!