Hodge Podge

So we did pretty much nothin since The Ball. Sunday I believe I told you that I connected with a high school friend from Port Arthur. Yes, it was called Port Arthur, not Thunder Bay when I went to Lakevievw High School. We chatted for about 2 hours, catching up and finding out what had happened in our lives. Peter has been out here in SE Asia for 30 years or so. Has a place in Pattaya, about 2 hours by car southeast of BKK. Also has a 38' catamarran moored in the bay. Sweet. Deeds and I can't wait for the weekend invite to go down to see it. Woohoo!

Oh yes, the Ball was actually an early Thanksgiving celebration for all the Canucks here in BKK. The dinner was roast turkey with all the trimmins. Stuffing, cranberries, gravy, mashed spuds, broccoli??, punkin pie for dessert. Who woulda thunk. Look forward to next year though. How do you like my new "go to the ball special suit, tie and shirt". All tailor made.


Sunday was a walk around day for Deeds and I. Around to the new place to see what the local area looked like. Had lunch at a diner just half a block from the building. Great. There are lots of little places all around. Like any big city. We also have some local street vendors pretty much across the street that I will become a regular at. Some guys become a regular at the local pub, me I become a local street meat eater!? We took a tour of Soi Cowboy. It was early afternoon and a Sunday so it was quiet.

At the very top of our street, Sukumvit, Soi 23, there is an area called Soi Cowboy. It is a red light area and although Soi Cowboy is known for being a little more sedate than many red light districts in BKK, it makes up for it by having a more authentic, tourist-free and relaxed atmosphere. You will see more Thai faces than tourist faces on this street. Happy hour is the thing here with beer costing 50 to 100 baht. (B100  = $3.25). Not cheap when you consider a good restaurant will charge B110 for a delicious Chicken Paenang dinner. Your choice, one beer or Paenang? Bottom line is the place has a number of bars, some are a little seedy, most are bars, people play darts, drink beer, meet friends and others out for an afternoon, night or whatever.

BKK is very unpretentious, at least for us at this point. Yes there are shopping areas like the Emporium not far down Sukumvit from our place. All Chanel, Dior, Hermes, Fendi, etc. But we seem to meet normal, very friendly people here. Thai (as in Chaiwat) or other farang like us. Expats some, a lot however are people who have decided to live here, retire here. Because of the nature of Thailand, the weather, the beauty, the unjudgemental nature of the place. Whatever, it seems to affect you. Slow you down somewhat. Like you can't get pissed at people cutting in front of you in traffic like idiots do in TO. How many times have you had an 18 wheeler swerve at you when you are in the right hand lane sneaking through traffic! I have been in traffic, real traffic here and in Italy where the cars, motor bikes whatever, go whereever they have to in order to keep moving. On the sidewalk, OK. What's all the fuss. Chill people. They seem to have here. And I really hope it rubs off on me...............more

Maybe I should try a traditional Thai massage, Deeds has been buggin me to try one. But us of the fury tribe are a little shy in that area, so I did some research maybe when we are up in Chaing Mai I can get this one!!

Going to enhance that chill factor now, I'm off to the pool.
Chillin
Sawadee Krap