Yesterday we had a crazy day exploring Bangkok. We began by tackling the public bus system, and making our way to Siam Square, which is at the heart of the new part of the city. There are bunches of shopping malls like you wouldn't believe! Malls within malls within malls. We walked for a half hour through a flea market area of the mall that sold only cell phones. Booths and booths and more booths selling nothing but cell phones (and a few pirated video games tossed into the mix). There were regular mall stores too, but the first mall we went to was 10 stories or sheer madness!
While we were on a roll with the public transportation, we decided to tackle the SkyTrain system as well. We the headed down to Silom Road, which is another big shopping area with lots of little outdoor markets in the alleys between the stores. We walked all afternoon heading from Silom Road back to Siam Square. On Silom road there were countless tailors that made custom suits and clothes out of beautiful Thai silks.
And of course, along the way, we stopped to get foot massages. When in Thailand...
At Siam Square we went into another mall, this one built around a huge department store. The bottom floor had food stalls and a gourmet supermarket. The market had countless things to sample or as the signs said "For Test." We tried dried strawberries, dried kiwi, smoked tuna, pizza made in an infrared cooking device (why, we dont know) and even had room for some black sesame seed ice cream. The fresh soy milk was the only disappointment.
Most buildings, even the brand new modern shopping malls, have beautiful shrines by their entry ways. We saw countless beautiful shrines like those and some even more impressive shrine temple complexes just planted in the middle of a busy street, nestled between the shops. We saw one enormous, beautiful hindu shrine. People were leaving offerings of incense, flowers, and milk.
For dinner, we made our way to a restaurant owned by Ari's old roommate Jared's aunt. We had a great dinner for unbeatable price and even spoke with Jared's aunt on the phone. Hopefully, we can meet her when we get back to Bangkok next month.
Sorry that we can't get pictures up today. We are having trouble uploading them but we will try again next time.
Love,
Ari and Jillian