The hotel across the alley out from has a large pool on their terrace, and someone is in it doing laps. I can't see them because the trees are blocking the view, but I'm pretty sure it's another international twenty-something wearing a bikini since the hotel pools are the only places where that type of attire is acceptable. Women are expected to cover themselves from shoulder to knees, but you do see many young ones baring a bit more skin here in the city.
I think I'm starting to get the flow of Bangkok. I managed to get across town on the bus with a map and minimal assistance. After being roped in by the tourist trap yellow tuk tuk earlier this morning, I figured I'd try my luck with another mode of transportation. I did see a whole lot of the city on both the bus and the touring tuk tuk. For a moment, I wished I had a camera, but that thought evaporated just as quickly as it had come after I released the five sparrows I purchased for $3 beneath the 35 meter tall standing gold buddha. Freeing the birds is supposed to bring you good luck, and entrance was free today because of the festival.
The temple I enjoyed most was the lone where they keep the lucky buddha. Much of it is usually closed to non Thais. It has more spiritual value and less flashy decor than other temples. It contains the oldest buddha figure in Bangkok. The building where it is housed is dusty and simple. It was dark and cool inside. There we're no other tourists, so I felt it appropriate to observe the Thai Buddhist practice of lighting an incense stick, kneeling and bowing three times - touching the hands in prayer position to the chin, the forehead then putting the palms, forehead and elbows on the floor. I stayed there for a while with my forehead against the marble floor. It felt very peaceful. The caretaker seemed to be touched by my display, and we talked for several minutes before I returned to my tuk tuk waiting outside.
I had a long discussion about religion with a Hindu tailor at one of the shopping stops. It made me hopeful that the required tourist stops wouldn't be as bad as I was expecting, but I hoped in vain. The Thailand tourism office was full of money-hungry fake nice salespeople who became quite rude upon realizing that I wasn't buying anything from them.
The last temple I visited was the marble temple, which was closed because the monks were inside doing who knows what - monk stuff I guess lol. I found out while I was there that when monks are ill they stay behind at the temple while they're counterparts do the traditional ritual walk through the streets with their bowls for the townspeople to give them food. Many of the people who live by the temples send someone from the home to the temple to care for the sick monks who cannot do the walk. I'm not sure why I was so surprised to hear that, but it really struck a chord with me. I can't imagine most Americans doing something like that. I mean, we barely take care of our own families. Don't get me started. I'm in the same boat with all the other offenders.
Ok the riverboat passing by right now is playing Mariah Carey Touch my Body remix and bumpin' LOL. Hilarious!
I haven't gotten much sleep over the past few days, but the five hours I got last night greatly improved my mood today. I'll try to get a full night tonight since I don't have to listen to fireworks until dawn like yesterday. I'll be on the train tomorrow night, so I better get some good rest while I still can.
The traveling to and fro is really getting on my nerves now, so I'm pretty sure I'll be ready to go home soon. At times I wish I was already there, especially at night when I get lonely and long for the comfort of my own bed.
Some of the tiny banana leaf boats holding candles are in the water - leftovers from the festival celebrations I suppose. They're spread out like stars, a few passing every couple of minutes. The candles are bobbing up and down, flickering and floating away with all the worries and bad luck - at least that's what they say.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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