One week in Bangkok
Today is my seventh day in Bangkok, and I'm starting to find my groove in the city.
I have:
- found an apartment and moved in (it is just a three minute walk to work)
- been squished like a human sardine in a bus
- stuck in Bangkok traffic a countless number of times
- taken a bus in the wrong direction, and had to struggle with asking the conductor when the bus would leave (trying to figure out the massive bus routes is a challenge, but fares start at 3.5 Baht (about $0.10 CAD) to 16 Baht (about $0.50 CAD) for aircon buses, so they're a steal (perhaps in several ways - always watch your wallets)
- seen enough male farang walking around town with Thai girls (prostitutes)
- gotten my mobile phone to work, after it refused several SIM cards
- received my first call from North America (thanks Betsy!)
- taken the Chao Phraya Tourist Express Boat
- walked through Chinatown and the Indian fabric markets (which is like navigating dense singletrack, but on feet, with people as the brush)
- walked through Khao San Road, the mecca for backpackers coming to Bangkok, which is actually pretty ugly and un-Thai
- got lost in the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, asking a Thai (really cute, too) for directions, who asked a prof, who asked yet another prof, who got me on my way by putting me on a...
- gotten a ride on a motorcyle taxi (driven by a uniformed driver which zips in and out of traffic)
- attended a press conference conducted entirely in Thai at the Siam City Hotel (very swank), and then stuffed myself (really) at the incredible lunch, courtesy of the Thai military
- used my Thai Phrasebook everywhere
- gone to Pantip Plaza, a huge computer, electronics "shopping mall"
- gotten 10m of ethernet cable made for me, in front of me, checked vendors for network equipment prices
- gone to church (The International Church of Bangkok) on Sunday, then brought to see an apartment by Arunee, the church secretary, who then brought me to her Thai church (the small congregation of 25 are of Chinese descent) for lunch, where I chatted with the older folks in Mandarin, met a national who works at the American Embassy, played ping-pong with some of the youth, and met Tana, a young businessman who just came to know the Lord, who I'll be meeting up for dinner tonight (and most probably for golf sometime soon)
- eaten some of my dinners at food courts (costs not more than $1.50 for a decent meal)
- bought other dinners from the street vendors (why would you come to Bangkok and not eat from the vendors?). Our lunches in the office are communal
- caved somewhat by buying cereal and milk for breakfast (stored at the office, since I don't have a fridge yet)
- taken a ton of photos, which needs to have a photo gallery.
- been waking early due to jet lag
- been soaking in all the sights, sounds, smells, and experiences
It really has been a good time, and I'm sure I'll enjoy things more when my language skills get better.