The eagerness we had for what the guidebook calls "Bangkok's most enjoyable shopping experience" soon worn off when Phil started getting stomach cramps. This meant a walk back to the Guesthouse just as the bus we waited 20 minutes for whizzed past, and a bathroom break mid-way at a questionable petrol station (and yes we paid a double bus fare as a result). Well, in total, it took us a good two hours to get to the Market. But Phil was brave and soon felt better; maybe it was something in the litchi shake?
I loved the market, but I've yet to find a market I've hated so maybe I'm biased. Buzzing with people, stalls inching onto pavements, and a sighting of our first bit of foliage in Bangkok - a wide green park! Everything that opens and closes can be found at this market. Also, if it can be worn, displayed in your home, paraded around on a leash (aka little Fido), or eaten (not to be confused with Fido); it will be sold in some corner somewhere. Hundreds of open-air stalls had my eyes popping with excitement; eat your heart out Essenwood Fleamarket, this is the real stuff! And to throw some entertainment in the mix, we saw this guy spinning elaborating and dramatically throwing his hands into the air while swirling long trails of milky sweet tea between cups. We have a video. Check it out:
I bought a dress and a pair of leggings and Phil just enjoyed the edible purchases. We walked around until we felt we had passed the stall selling second-hand jeans just one too many times. It was a good run. But we were tired. We headed back to Banglamphu and grabbed some baguettes for lunch.
We then braced ourselves for a traditional Thai massage (which we now know is an intense stretching session!). A few times everyday since arriving in Bangkok, we are enticed and sometimes hounded by ladies on the roadside with silky voices: "Thai masssssage for you, Sirrrr. For you, Lady. Good priiiiiice." Today is the day. D-day. No more escaping it. And, it was amazing, but strangely so. You are poked, prodded, pulled, and contorted unnaturally by a frail-looking (but strong!) woman a third your size. She uses her feet, heels, elbows, and the base of her palm to manipulate your body and to coerce your pressure points into feeling some sort of pleasure and relief. I went for an hour session. Phil wisely chose 30 minutes and limped out the room faster than you could say "Ouch!" when his time was up! I found him back at the Guesthouse nursing his shoulders and greedily slurping down an ice tea; oh the injustice of it all! I just settled for a coconut.
We relaxed then, it was about 5pm. We played cards, chess, and swapped massage survival stories. After grabbing dinner on the street, we showered, and headed to the train station. The tuk tuk driver tried to throw in a dodgy trip to a sex-show on-route. I mean, really! Is that the most cultural thing some tourists do in Thailand's capital?
The overnight train was horrid! We booked beds/seats in the fan section of the car. This meant it was really hot all night long and very loud since people in the lower bunks all had their windows down. Train fumes and noises for 15 hours! The train was delayed and we only arrived in Chaing Mai at 3pm.
With no booked accommodation and very little food in our bellies, we set out to find a place to rest our heads. And in true biblical style, there was no more room left in the Inn... or Guesthouse, or Lodge, or Homestay. After a few tries, we actually found a pretty decent place, Thana Hotel. We soon found that this particular establishment is very popular with Israeli's traveling in huge groups.
We rested in our room WITH a TV that had a good number of English channels. For dinner we headed to the Night Food Market and then to the impromptu Sunday market set up by the old fort wall where we enjoyed a drink and watched the goings-on.
Needless to say, we slept amazingly well that night!"
Until next time,
Luisa
oh my greatness A PHOTO!!! and a video you guys are too good...
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