bangkok II

My days for the coming week here are going to be filled with seminars, required by the Thai government to receive my teaching certificate, and teacher training sessions. Today, though, I got to see the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace in downtown Bangkok. Spectacular structures covered in gold leaf and bright tiles rising up from manicured lawns, right in the middle of this massive, loud, crowded metropolis. Unreal. Despite hordes of tourists the atmosphere was surprisingly reverent.. almost peaceful. A good into to Thailand and a taste of its Buddhist tradition.

One bit of the temple of the Emerald Buddha

After the Emerald Buddha, the other teachers and I took a short ride through Bangkok on a river boat. interesting to see these communities of people living in houses on stilts jutting right out over the water in this network of canals. We floated past women in little canoe-like boats selling handmade fans, and children bathing in the murky water, which essentially is their front yard.

Floating through Bangkok

Crossing the pedestrian bridge across the main street by the hotel, a ribbon of headlights and taillights extending for miles on both sides. The street is strung overhead with bare light bulbs under which vendors serve food from steaming, smoking little stalls, most of which are just converted motorbikes - part vehicle, part kitchen.

View from the pedestrian bridge by the hotel