ACS teachers arrived in Bangkok after 10 hours of flight time; 4 hours from Beirut to Qatar, then the 6-hour flight to Bangkok. I gratefully stepped off the plane in Bangkok and was blasted by the 90+ degree heat / 100% humidity, as predicted.
Top ten first impressions:
1. HOT and humid; soaked through
2. beautiful, gracious people; found myself with hands together, bowing back.
3. street cart pad thai is delicious!
4. curb side fresh pineapple, mango, ... puts the life back into you!
5. giant insects mounted in frames for sale; should have bought one.
6. 100's of fish fins breaking the river's surface
7. immaculate cleanliness, even in the subway restrooms!
8. temples with layer cake rooftops; upturned corners
9. Buddhas: golden and jade
10. saffron robed monks
ACS supported this trip to the NESA conference for teachers. I met teachers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bangkok, Cambodia, and even got to know my ACS colleagues better. I greeted Lucy Calkins, writing guru! After the first day of the conference, she left us in the care of her trainees. They were fine, but sitting and sitting for hours at the conference was often the last thing I wanted to do. As soon as we were excused, it was out to the streets.
We discovered the fun of getting out. Took the subway to Chatachat Market, a 28 acre open air extravaganza. Went from stall to stall, searching for Lucy's favorite mango rice and found textiles; scarves, wrap skirts in beautiful fabrics, fun pants. We practiced the art of bargaining for goods. I did buy worker pants for the boys, cool pants for the girls, scarves, bracelets, and elephant motif purses. Skipped the giant framed spiders and scorpions; what was I thinking? Boarded the Sky Train back to the hotel.
My favorite trip was a speed boat trip up the river. We sped past temples with their layer cake rooftops and flip up corners. We rode along catching spray now and then, when suddenly slammed down in a watery trough and got drenched, especially Rania and Anita in the back. Justin's famous advice: "Don't lick your lips!" This was after we noted the abundant flotsom of shoes, bottle caps, and plastics floating by. More noteworthy were the fish! The water stirred with the rising of hundreds of fish fins; coming up to the surface, then turning on their sides, eyes looking up at us, and then down they went. We could only guess they were coming up for oxygen. .. maybe hoping for a crust of bread? We didn't need reminding to wipe our faces on backs of our hands.
Best of all? Foot massage. One hour of foot massage complete with manicure, was $7, equivalent. We tipped generously. It was just wonderful. From feet they went to neck, head, and back. Oh My Gosh. I knew that I would miss that part of Bangkok the most.
Worst omission was not meeting up with former South Whidbey teacher, now admin, Melanie Shaafat. Next trip will be all about visiting Thai elephants and Melanie. I want to see those giant blue butterflies alive and well. Six-inch arachnids have a certain appeal... My students will tell you I'm not afraid of leggy critters! Yes, I've got to get back to Bangkok.
Top ten first impressions:
1. HOT and humid; soaked through
2. beautiful, gracious people; found myself with hands together, bowing back.
3. street cart pad thai is delicious!
4. curb side fresh pineapple, mango, ... puts the life back into you!
5. giant insects mounted in frames for sale; should have bought one.
6. 100's of fish fins breaking the river's surface
7. immaculate cleanliness, even in the subway restrooms!
8. temples with layer cake rooftops; upturned corners
9. Buddhas: golden and jade
10. saffron robed monks
ACS supported this trip to the NESA conference for teachers. I met teachers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bangkok, Cambodia, and even got to know my ACS colleagues better. I greeted Lucy Calkins, writing guru! After the first day of the conference, she left us in the care of her trainees. They were fine, but sitting and sitting for hours at the conference was often the last thing I wanted to do. As soon as we were excused, it was out to the streets.
We discovered the fun of getting out. Took the subway to Chatachat Market, a 28 acre open air extravaganza. Went from stall to stall, searching for Lucy's favorite mango rice and found textiles; scarves, wrap skirts in beautiful fabrics, fun pants. We practiced the art of bargaining for goods. I did buy worker pants for the boys, cool pants for the girls, scarves, bracelets, and elephant motif purses. Skipped the giant framed spiders and scorpions; what was I thinking? Boarded the Sky Train back to the hotel.
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| Justin, Rania, and Anita on our river speed boat. |
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| In our Royal Palace sanctioned wrap skirts; me, Siestke, Rania, Cori |
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| Palace Dragon's foot; you should've seen the dragon! |
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| Market Place: Legs and Wings for sale |
Best of all? Foot massage. One hour of foot massage complete with manicure, was $7, equivalent. We tipped generously. It was just wonderful. From feet they went to neck, head, and back. Oh My Gosh. I knew that I would miss that part of Bangkok the most.
Worst omission was not meeting up with former South Whidbey teacher, now admin, Melanie Shaafat. Next trip will be all about visiting Thai elephants and Melanie. I want to see those giant blue butterflies alive and well. Six-inch arachnids have a certain appeal... My students will tell you I'm not afraid of leggy critters! Yes, I've got to get back to Bangkok.
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