31 August 2008

I arrived at the Suvarnabhum Airport at around 4:30, an hour earlier than Philippine time. Met with a Malaysian colleague, Kamala and rode a hotel taxi to Amari Atrium in New Petchburi Road Bangkok. Kamala was excited about shopping, I was worried about how to go back to the hotel if ever we get to go around. I’m not so much of a shopping gal. I love to look around but I usually don’t buy if it’s not somehow a necessity. I am more agog about gadgets than with girly things. Strange but I think I got it from my Dad who is a techie guy as well.

Anyway, we decided to fix our stuff for an hour and hit the road going to MBK, a famous mall here in Bangkok. It was a big mall alright but its more like the shopping mall in Singapore where Filipinos hang around during weekends (I forgot the name…memory gap…sigh) Thailand is more like the Philippines. They have terrible traffic jams too. Only their environment is a bit cleaner than ours. Their natives look more Chinese than Malays.

Here they have various means of transportation – taxi, bus (they even have the double-decked ones around), a taxi motorbike (a bigger tricycle), underground trains, LRT and a boat. Yup there’s this boat than goes around the Cana river (I think that’s what its called) and you can even go to the malls using the boat. Sounds exciting. I haven’t tried it yet, but I want to ride one of these days.

One constant site you will find around are the altars their establishments have right in front of their buildings. Its like a Buddha with animals in front adorned with flowers (orchids mostly as this seems to be their national flower) I also heard there are live elephants around that cross the streets as they are being taken cared of just like any other household pets we have back home. I have yet to see one though.

Thailand is also known for their great massage places. I wish I could have one but I can’t having undergone surgery and all. I know I’m missing a lot. Maybe I can come back for it some other time. Food is great as well. A little bit more on the spicy stuff but you can always choose not to put on the chili. I had Padthai for my first meal here. I had to ask them not to put on sugar as Kamala warned me that they love sugar on their noodles. I really have to watch the food I eat and take care of the one kidney that is left of me.

Thai people are very warm and humble. I love how they greet you with a bow, their hands put together with their thumbs pointing at their hearts. Meaning a warm welcome coming from the heart. Sweet! I am liking it here. But I still like the Philippines more. There is no place like home really.