Bangkok day 09

I’m out alone just like in 2014. I took a taxi to Bang Wa and got the BTS from there because I’m a stupid dumb bitch and I didn’t look carefully to see which MRT station is close to Central Embassy. I went to Siam Paragon to get hair dye and it was packed! All these crazy rich Asians shopping food until they drop. Some westerners were there too, one or two seemed to know where they were and what they were getting, meaning they’ve been here for a while. Others were just wondering, bombing to each other like cart cars on a circuit made of boat noodles, cookies and croissants. Loud drum noise was coming from above so I had to check the other floors aaaaand…..

Lion dances! It was awesome! Not the spectacular street lion dances in parades but they had their magic too. I am so happy I had the chance to enjoy this. I bet my Russian students will love these videos. 

I stopped at the electricity company and rested under the shade of the salak tree. The cannonball-like fruit was hanging above my head as I was thinking what the Buddha experienced when he passed to paranibana under the shade of a salak tree. What knowledge awaits us when our mortal body fades? 

Right now I’m enjoying an unsweetened rose tea at Central embassy. It’s the other reason I came here and I’m so joyful I had the chance to taste it. 

This cup will travel to other counties with me and experience other cultures. It will fly up in the sky and cross oceans. I hope I keep it for a long time since I wanted it for years. Cha Tra Mue rose cup, welcome to the family of the travelling cups! 

On my way to Siam, I stopped at Erawan temple and watched the people spending enormous amounts of money on flowers and incense to offer to the deity. Something tells me that it’s more affordable to be an atheist but less colorful and charming. 

I walked all the way to Siam and then I wondered around. I went to MBK and experienced the hectic life of salesmen and shoppers. I wanted to bring something back for Glen but nothing seemed appealing enough. Maybe when we go there together we can pick something from the food hall. I waited until the time was right to catch the Metropark shuttle back home. I’m tired, thirsty and hungry and I can’t wait to enjoy a shower and a meal with Glen. 

Although I find the busy streets of Siam intriguing, I admit that the beauty of the khlongs near Metropark is unimaginable. A man was rowing up the khlong alone, right before sunset, just like his ancestors have done for centuries. Living here is an interchangeable experience of having one foot on the modern dystopian city with the skyscrapers and the expensive malls, and one foot on the traditional southeast Asian life with it's slow pace and it's unique smell of fresh coriander and lemongrass.