Grand Palace & Emerald Budda

Because our hotel was far from central Bangkok, it was more difficult to experience the city. Good thing OEG took us on a field trip to the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha. There are few words to describe the details I was seeing. I mean I believe it is the first of many my eyes will behold. 

The Grand Palace is considered the most holy temple to the Thai people. It was originally built as a home and temple for the reigning monarch, but is now a sacred landmark/tourist attraction after what was the assassination attempt of King Rama VIII (or so our guide Angela told us). Within the Grand Palace, there are many other buildings used for various ceremonies, official uses, and religious practices. 

By far the largest and most sacred though is the home of the Emerald Buddha, the Wat Phra Kaew. The Emerald Buddha is actually not made of Emerald but Jade, and is not as large as one would think. But it does sit on a HUGE decorative alter several feet high, and attracts Buddhists and people from all over the world. The Emerald Buddha actually has three sets of gold clothing for the three seasons in Thailand: the summer season, the rainy season, and the winter season. it was pretty amazing and a real cool experience seeing such elaborate and well kept historical buildings.  

As orientation was winding down, several girls and I were able to take a taxi to downtown Bangkok one night. And man were the taxis nutty. Meters are not in every car, and sometimes one has to barter a fee.  The speed, the weaving in and out of lanes…intense. My friends and I got to Kao San Rd, one of the backpacking districts and tourist central by metered taxi (combined to be about 164 Baht and 45 Baht for the express lane). Although it could have been worse (like during rush hour), it wasn’t bad for the first time.

Arriving in Kao San Rd. was such a different view of Bangkok we haven’t been exposed to. There are tons of bars that are little stalls itself and have liquor in a bucket. You sit outside on benches under umbrellas or none at all with stools as tables. There are people offering to sell fake diplomas from Harvard and the University of California which look legit, and there are people selling clothes all over the street. We grabbed dinner first before getting sucked into anything, and let’s just say ordering was much easier. The Pad See-Eww was delicious. :) We eventually got a Fish massage – based I believe in Japan, but got it there. Free with a drink :) A very interesting experience and one I’m not sure I want to repeat, but glad I did. When we left later on the evening, we squeezed 6 people in one taxi for 400 baht to the hotel. Impressive no? Uncomfortable…somewhat.

This is only one form of transportation. Tuk-tuk, motor-taxis, and the sorng-taa-ou which is literally a pick-up truck with two rows of bench seats down on the side of the truck bed, are other ways to get round. I imagine all of these non-conventional in my western mindset to be fun and an adventure if it isn’t too hot or rainy. 

More to come...sorry if it takes so long to post. Internet is not as available as one would think when working at a school.