We have been in Bangkok, Thailand for 3 full days now. We would like to share some of what we've learned since being here! We will have to post pictures later, as the internet cafe is not allowing it now.
1.) You can travel all over this city of 10 million people for virtually under $0.50. To do so, learn the public bus and Sky Train routes! It took us our entire first day here to learn such information, but now we go everywhere for much cheaper than a taxi or tuk-tuk!
2.) Eating "street food" does not always make you sick. We were taken out to "The Best Pad Thai in Bangkok" by our friends the other night; K panicked when she saw it was street food...but after thorough digestion, there were no sick tummies!!
3.) We miss American food. Every meal that comes around, we are eating from American restaurants (Sizzler, Subway, Burger King, Tona Roma's, Outback Steak House, and McDonalds are a few that are here).
4.) Karie's friends Tawee and Pui (that she met in 2002 during her outreach) have turned into lovely, caring, wonderful adults; they were only 16 years old when we first met. They have great senses of humor, speak Engligh very well, and love the Lord!
5.) No Indian restaurant is good enough (even if it has been rated "best in Bangkok for 11 years in a row") to trek by foot, a bus, and a skytrain for for over 1 1/2 hours for. It was good....but not
that good.
6.) There are more 7-11 mini marts here than there are Starbucks in big US cities. 7-11's are on every street corner, and they sell the same junk as in the states (localized cuisine). They even sell slurpees!!
7.) Starbucks should be in Cambodia. Karie has gotten a drink each day we have been here, and has realized how much of a "wake up" it gives her in comparison to the coffee in Cambodia.
8.) Christmas feels a lot different this year, especially being in a new city. Bangkok has done a great job decorating with wreathes, garlands, ornaments, lights, even music playing all over the mall! However, we still won't have a traditional Christmas tomorrow at all...but that's ok!
9.) There are
many more cool things to buy here!! We are stocking up on gifts for our families and friends, as Cambodia does not have super cool stuff like Bangkok does!
10.) Without looking around at the details of the city, we feel quite at home here. It reminds us a lot of San Francisco, and we have both had some nostalgia since we have been here. We cannot WAIT to come home, but are enjoying our vacation here in Thailand.
Merry Christmas!!
One of the best things about being in Thailand is the over abundance of streetside food. Unlike in Cambodia, the food is both delicious and safe to eat. Some of our friends took us out to get some authentic pad thai. Boy was it good! And for less then one dollar!
