08 March, 2006
Last day in Bangkok (for now)
This morning, I joined Phra Charan for the last time (for now, anyhow). Because I am flying out tomorrow to Chiang Rai, I told him I wouldn't be showing up tomorrow. Too much to do. One thing I realized I hadn't pointed out is the fact that Phra Charan goes every morning for the "biin ta baat" without any shoes on. In fact, I think he rarely wears shoes at all. Bangkok at it's best is as clean as any large American city. I'm sure most westerners would be horrified to walk barefoot for an hour and a half in a city like Bangkok.
Afterwards, Phra Charan asked if I would come back to see him when I returned to Bangkok. I promised would. He told me that I had been a very good "temple boy old man," with a giggle, and that he would miss me - from the "heart". The word for the heart is "jai" in Thai, and is used to build many words which represent a Thai persons emotional state.
Later, I met with Lamai and Cherry again for a late lunch at 1:30. Then the three of us caught a tuk tuk to Wat Traimit. The main feature of this temple, which is said to be originally built in the 13th century, is its Buddha image. Housed inside a two story building next to the temple itself is a solid gold seated Buddha image, almost 3 meters tall , and weighing 5.5 metric tons.
The statue was "protected" for centuries with a plaster exterior shell until about 40 years ago when it fell from a crane while being moved to a new building. Though one of the most impressive gold statues I think I'll ever see, I think Wat Traimit overall is not as interesting as most of the others I have see already. That said, this is a relative statement, and no temple I've seen yet is not worth taking a few photos of.
A temple boundary marker
Next, we made our way to Chinatown. Called "samm peng Yaowarat" by Thai's after the main road Ta-ton Yaowarat. We took a random corner, walking town a progressively narrower pathway with an exponentially growing number of people as we drifted further from the street. I had to be particularly careful not to lop someone's head off with my elbows as I navigated the onslaught on Thai's half my size. Along the covered alleyways, there were numerous small narrow stores stemming out from either side, each filled with an extraordinary amount of plastic trinkets and garbage to be purchased. When we exited back to another traffic-jammed street, I noted a string of gold jewelry stores. According to Lamai, gold is quite popular with many Thai women. She, however, prefers silver.
With the temperature now hovering at about 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), I could see that Lamai and Cherry were wilting. I suggested we find a cold drink. I got a "cah phe yen" (now quickly becoming my number one beverage choice), while Lamai and Cherry got something I'd never seen before from a street vendor. It was bright pink - opaque from the sweet condensed milk which was added - and sold in a plastic bag with a straw stuck into the side. This is a common way for street vendors to sell beverages, so if you want a cup, then you need to ask for one. Thai's almost always assume a "farang" wants their beverage in a cup rather than a bag. I think a beverage served in a plastic bag offers a small advantage over cups in that amount of material thrown away is less than it is with most cups (being plastic). But I should point out that in Thailand, there seems to be no progressive movement to lessen the amount of plastic being thrown into the dump. In fact, many Thai's will simply drop their litter on the ground without a second thought.
Lamai offered a taste, and I think I almost spit it back out because it was so very sweet. Thai's apparently love sickly sweet beverages. I vowed to steer clear of such drinks. I smiled and thanked her kindly for the taste. We walked to the main river, "mae nam chao phraya", and caught a river boat express to Pier 6 (across from Wat Arun). I took a tuk tuk to the guesthouse from there. Before the sun set, I took a few shots from the balcony next to my room. I could see pretty clearly the "Saphan Phra Ram Baath" - The King Rama VIII bridge.
Afterwards, Phra Charan asked if I would come back to see him when I returned to Bangkok. I promised would. He told me that I had been a very good "temple boy old man," with a giggle, and that he would miss me - from the "heart". The word for the heart is "jai" in Thai, and is used to build many words which represent a Thai persons emotional state.
Later, I met with Lamai and Cherry again for a late lunch at 1:30. Then the three of us caught a tuk tuk to Wat Traimit. The main feature of this temple, which is said to be originally built in the 13th century, is its Buddha image. Housed inside a two story building next to the temple itself is a solid gold seated Buddha image, almost 3 meters tall , and weighing 5.5 metric tons.
The statue was "protected" for centuries with a plaster exterior shell until about 40 years ago when it fell from a crane while being moved to a new building. Though one of the most impressive gold statues I think I'll ever see, I think Wat Traimit overall is not as interesting as most of the others I have see already. That said, this is a relative statement, and no temple I've seen yet is not worth taking a few photos of.
Next, we made our way to Chinatown. Called "samm peng Yaowarat" by Thai's after the main road Ta-ton Yaowarat. We took a random corner, walking town a progressively narrower pathway with an exponentially growing number of people as we drifted further from the street. I had to be particularly careful not to lop someone's head off with my elbows as I navigated the onslaught on Thai's half my size. Along the covered alleyways, there were numerous small narrow stores stemming out from either side, each filled with an extraordinary amount of plastic trinkets and garbage to be purchased. When we exited back to another traffic-jammed street, I noted a string of gold jewelry stores. According to Lamai, gold is quite popular with many Thai women. She, however, prefers silver.
With the temperature now hovering at about 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), I could see that Lamai and Cherry were wilting. I suggested we find a cold drink. I got a "cah phe yen" (now quickly becoming my number one beverage choice), while Lamai and Cherry got something I'd never seen before from a street vendor. It was bright pink - opaque from the sweet condensed milk which was added - and sold in a plastic bag with a straw stuck into the side. This is a common way for street vendors to sell beverages, so if you want a cup, then you need to ask for one. Thai's almost always assume a "farang" wants their beverage in a cup rather than a bag. I think a beverage served in a plastic bag offers a small advantage over cups in that amount of material thrown away is less than it is with most cups (being plastic). But I should point out that in Thailand, there seems to be no progressive movement to lessen the amount of plastic being thrown into the dump. In fact, many Thai's will simply drop their litter on the ground without a second thought.
Lamai offered a taste, and I think I almost spit it back out because it was so very sweet. Thai's apparently love sickly sweet beverages. I vowed to steer clear of such drinks. I smiled and thanked her kindly for the taste. We walked to the main river, "mae nam chao phraya", and caught a river boat express to Pier 6 (across from Wat Arun). I took a tuk tuk to the guesthouse from there. Before the sun set, I took a few shots from the balcony next to my room. I could see pretty clearly the "Saphan Phra Ram Baath" - The King Rama VIII bridge.
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