Greetings from Thailand!

Mmmm... bugs for lunch!

Siam... right after the typhoon

Pink Taxis!

Pink taxis, yellow polo shirts or beautiful women? I can’t really tell what there are more of in this city.

First of all, the city of Bangkok is like a first world metropolis with signs of left over 3^rd world landmarks. From what I hear, ten years ago Thailand was much like the Philippines where poverty was prevalent and visible everywhere. After being in a taxi for about 20 minutes going to our hotel, all I saw were new roads, new bridges, high rise buildings, luxury vehicles and great picturesque sites that I will try and post. If not, you’ll be sure to get another invite to view a thousand or so pictures to peruse through. =)

So here’s what I’ve observed aside from the fried bugs sold in street carts, luxury malls that can’t seem to compare to any I’ve seen in the US, and high fashion clothing being sold on every city block in downtown…

Pink Taxis. They’re everywhere! Along with orange, green and blue. No yellow taxis that we’re all used to seeing on TV. It’s like the rainbow of Skittles flavors all scattered on the road. Though pink seems to be the color of choice here. And who would have thought to paint their taxi pink? It’s kinda cool though! I’ve probably been in every color taxi since I’ve been here.

Yellow polo shirts! They’re everywhere too.  Maybe that’s why there are no yellow taxis. That’s just overkill. Remember the movie “The King and I”? This country LOVES their king. His image and photos are everywhere you turn. Shrines are found on every other street in various sizes, pictures of the royal family are found in taxis hanging from the mirror to sunshades on the windshield, medallions of the royal crest are worn around peoples’ necks, and I’d say 1 in 5 people wear these yellow shirts all over the place. It’s like one big school with a uniform. The dull yellow colored polo shirt has the royal seal placed on the left side of the chest much like the penguin you see on my shirts. I’ve found the shirts sold on the streets and in all the malls. It’s quite amazing to see. I’ll try and take a picture of it, but I don’t know if it’s disrespectful to the people or the royal family.

The women… they are the epitome of exotic women. Beautiful! Everywhere you look, they are just stunning. With no makeup, petite figures, long legs, and beautiful smiles… they stand out like models on the runway but they’re just walking the streets amongst everyone else. Imagine when they are actually dressed up for work. And the best part of it, everyone here is so incredibly nice. What more can you ask for?

If the Sukothai Restaurant, Oriental Hotel, Ayutthaya River, the Grand Palace, the Chatuchak weekend market, and having an Ancient Thai Massage (none of which I’ve seen or experienced yet) are part of the 1000 Places to See Before You Die, then the experience and sights of the city itself should be clumped up into one and added as an experience as well. This really is quite the city to enjoy.

I have to admit (though I am biased), I’d still go to the Philippines first because that’s what life is really about… simplicity and beauty that abounds in distinction from one island to the next.