Hello Bangkok!

As a city, Bangkok is an interesting place...to say the least.  We've had a chance to meander around our neighborhood briefly and here's what we found.

First of all, the streets of Bangkok are highly inaccessible.  Prepare for a bumpy ride!  There's no such thing here as even-pavement, curb cuts...or often even a cross walk.  If you dare to cross the street you better be prepared to be at the top of your game.  Traffic rarely yields, and the flow of the very busy streets seems to be fueled by an every man for himself mentality.  This does limit quite a bit what we will be able to do or see outside of the hospital, but it has been suggested that we look into a taxi for specific destinations.

Oh, and even if you choose not to cross the street, beware of the scooters and motor bikes that use the sidewalk!

After you digest the busyness and extremely diverse choices of construction (consistency is not one of Bangkok's strengths), the next thing you'll notice are the smells.  It's quite fascinating really.  Just imagine gasoline, pollution, a touch of sewage here and there, a mixture of foods, and then top it off with a couple of unidentifiable odors just for good measure.  It's not surprising that a lot of people wear face masks (I'm not sure what their actual reasoning is, but it seems to be a trend).

I would describe our part of Bangkok as an eclectic, well-worn city.  There's just so much variety to take in.

Bangkok also has its own unique way of addressing power lines.

And if you're in the mood to buy something, there's plenty to choose from without ever stepping inside a shop.

But the part that stands out most, is Bangkok as a community.  There is such a juxtaposition between the people and the environment.  There's definitely a harshness to the aesthetic of Bangkok, but there is a gentleness to Thai people that is really unique.  You can see it in their eyes, in their smiles, in the way they bow in greeting.  Even on our walk - a street vendor making egg rolls stopped and offered to help my mom get the wheel chair up the curb.  People smiled as they passed.  And there's a relaxed-ness a midst the busyness.  People are meandering, napping, lunching, chatting.  I've really never experienced anything quite like it.