11/18/08 Monday night: We (Jeff, Alana, and I) Arrived in Bangkok on Monday midnight, went stright to the hotel. Our sister Monica was there already asleep, we woke her up and had a happy reunion. I and Jeff had not seen Monica since September 06 when she went back to China.
11/19/08 Tuesday: We got up early our first day here in Bagkok, had breakfast, and walked toward the Sky Trains (BKKs mass transit system), but before we got there, we went into a tailoring shop. Jeff and Alana and Monica and I all decided to get a couple things. The prices for a fully fitted custom made from scratch suit are less than 25% what they would be in the US. We finished and left and took the Sky Trains and went to the temple Pho Vat (that's not right, but I don't remember) it's the Temple of the Dawn. Then centerpiece of the complex is a main temple built around the Reclining Buddha. The size of the statue is staggering. No really, it is. Over 80 feet high, 200 feet long, and 50 feet wide, he is the source of Thai massage, where the practice originated. I took multiple photos (30 of the statue, 148 total in 48 hours here so far) but still couldn't get him into the shot completely, wide angle and all. At night, we went on the river cruise, very nice. the Russians on the boat were extremely avid dancers. I didn't say good or talented. Or modest. But they enjoyed themselves, and we enjoyed them.
11/19/08 Wednesday: Second full day. Woke up early (6:15am), went for a walk around the enormous sky scrapers they're building next door. Went and booked tickets to travel north. Went to watch the snakes get milked. Terrifying. The handlers played catch with a king cobra, while we and a groupd of students gasped. Went to Koh Sahn road and shopped. Truly crappy goods. Came back and ate at a good cheap restaurant next road over.
