Back to Bangkok

OK Kim, right off the bat, I need to apologize for not sticking with the new format for writing up the blog. I got on and froze when I couldn't find all my old familiar buttons to push. That will take a few (10-12) hours to figure out, so I thought I would get my first one out and then.....

So to start - I had been planning this return trip for over six months, anticipation high, and I can not believe how quickly these past two weeks have flown by. They were literally the best of the best thanks to Kim (and Alan who graciously gave up his office for me and his wife for a good part of that time). I'm home now after a 24 hour flight door to door and trying to collect my thoughts through the haze of jet lag. I thought I had that one covered by sleeping roughly twelve hours through the first night home. As it's 3:00 a.m. on the second night it's obvious that didn't work.

The first night back Boonchi, a dear friend and former driver for Roger and I, picked me up at the airport and deposited me at Centerpoint where I stayed for the first four days. He also picked Kim and I up to take us to airport for our flight up country and then again to take me back to the airport for my flight home. It was so good to see a friendly face at the airport.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but in reality little had changed in six months. The view to Lumpini looked the same no matter how many photos I took of it...

and vendors were still set up along the streets to sell fruit, Pad Thai, lottery tickets, gold fish, souvenirs. The list goes on and on.

The building across the street had been completed during the time I had left. It's quite a striking, but I miss the surreal night landscape I would see from our bedroom window The lights from the city, Ploen Chit train station, and advertisement signs are now all blocked. Progress I guess...

I took great comfort, however, in the knowledge that Thai construction codes which never consider the poor pedestrian, are well maintained. I stood and marveled at the beautiful new wall built around the hotel. As you can see there is barely enough room between the wall and the walkway up to the train station for one person to squeeze through. On the other side you are practically walking on the street. My list of "ways to die in Bangkok" increased daily.

I realize that this is a photo from China Town and not Chutachuk Market, but you get the picture. It's always fun to go on the "hunt" with Kim, and I not only left the market with all my required purchases checked off, but a few extra items as well. As this was the first day back, I began to wonder if my two bags were going to be enough by the time I ended my trip. Both Kim and Mary know how I have a hard time saying "no" to a bargain.

We were entertained by this young man as we entered the market and he was still going strong when we left a few hours later.

So a lunch to catch up with Margi and Betty, a foot massage, time with Kim and Alan, markets and walks to the Department stores over, it was time to check the old map and plan for our trip up North.

OK, so there is supposed to be a photo of Kim perusing a map of Chiang Mai right, but the wrong button was slid across I guess. On this old format that means erasing everything and starting over. Well, that an't goin happen. You will see it as we begin our adventure up North in the next Blog entry.