Dear friends,
After 3 full days in Bangkok our group is heading off to Chiang Mai today at noon. This is an abbreviated post so I won't say much, but here are some sites I have visited: Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Mountain Temple, Democracy Monument, Vivanmek Mansion, Chinatown, Giant Swing, a wholesale market, and many other markets. I have also explored 3 different forms of public transportation: the bus, the sky train, and the river bus.
My biggest reaction so far is how differently I am treated when traveling around Bangkok with two other Thai women (days 1 and 2) and when I am traveling with 16 other Americans (day 3). In the first case, I think people tend to assume I am Thai; in the second case, it is obvious that I am in a group of foreigners. Even the process of getting in at temples for a Thai and for a foreigner is completely different- foreigners usually have to pay and Thai people just seem to walk in. We'll see how it is in Chiang Mai.
Happy New Year's Eve and Happy New Year tomorrow. Chiang Mai is supposed to be a good place for New Year's Eve; hopefully I can stay up late enough to partake in the festivities. Then tomorrow we'll head out to Mae Ta, a village which recently converted to organic farming.
-ET
PS: Sorry the photos are absent. I probably will not be able to post any until I return to the States on the 13th of January.
After 3 full days in Bangkok our group is heading off to Chiang Mai today at noon. This is an abbreviated post so I won't say much, but here are some sites I have visited: Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Mountain Temple, Democracy Monument, Vivanmek Mansion, Chinatown, Giant Swing, a wholesale market, and many other markets. I have also explored 3 different forms of public transportation: the bus, the sky train, and the river bus.
My biggest reaction so far is how differently I am treated when traveling around Bangkok with two other Thai women (days 1 and 2) and when I am traveling with 16 other Americans (day 3). In the first case, I think people tend to assume I am Thai; in the second case, it is obvious that I am in a group of foreigners. Even the process of getting in at temples for a Thai and for a foreigner is completely different- foreigners usually have to pay and Thai people just seem to walk in. We'll see how it is in Chiang Mai.
Happy New Year's Eve and Happy New Year tomorrow. Chiang Mai is supposed to be a good place for New Year's Eve; hopefully I can stay up late enough to partake in the festivities. Then tomorrow we'll head out to Mae Ta, a village which recently converted to organic farming.
-ET
PS: Sorry the photos are absent. I probably will not be able to post any until I return to the States on the 13th of January.
Happy New Year to you, too, Erika! What an adventure to begin 2012 with! I hope it is filled with new insights, opportunities for growth, and joy. We look forward to hearing all about your trip when you return to Wooster. Safe & good travels to you!
ReplyDeleteBeth & Dries