August 3, 2012
We got to experience Bangkok today. It was like being in a documentary. I don’t even know where to begin. Contrasts were everywhere. But, the one constant was the kindness of the people.
We began the day with a train ride to the klongs – the Bangkok canals. This was not Venice. The water was muddy and you needed to keep your mouth closed so the spray from the boats wouldn’t get in them. This was
not the waterfront property you would like to own. This was a tour of the back alleys of Bangkok; no glitz or glamour; just the real world. To add insult to injury this area suffered from floods this past spring. But, it didn’t
matter what the houses looked like, people waved and smiled. There were spirit houses (little temples) in every yard, and temples scattered here and there.
Along our way we had to travel through a lock, and we stopped at a snake
farm/zoo. Getting in and out of the klong boat was scary since there really wasn’t a dock with any kind of stairs. You had to keep one foot in the boat while you put another on a tire attached to the side of the rotting pier. Then you
had to somehow make the last and most treacherous move onto the pier itself. I’m glad no one took a movie of me doing this (4 times) – graceful it wasn’t! But when it came to Katie – everyone was there to help. Katie
had told me that the Thais are very respectful and protective of pregnant women. I got to see it first hand. Katie always had someone give up a seat for her on the trains, open gates for her so she wouldn’t have to go through turnstiles and
smile upon her as though they had never seen a pregnant woman before. And when it came time to enter and exit the boats she had every person there running to assist her. There are many lessons the Thai people could teach us.
Anyway,
back to the snake park/zoo. I don’t know how to even describe it. All I can say is that it was an experience. Being just a few feet away from a cobra, jumping snake, viper, and boa constrictor was enough to keep me on my toes. I
will let the pictures speak for themselves - not just the snakes but the other animals as well.
After the long klong journey we went back to the apartment to rest by the pool. There was a nice breeze so it was easy to nod off while listening
to the church-like music coming from the neighboring park (it was a holiday today and there were celebrations going on).
Once awake we rode up the elevator to the 14th floor to change and go out to dinner. We walked
down the street passing by masseuses inviting us into their establishments. We finally made it to our destination and ate Japanese food in Thailand.
Again, we are exhausted and just waiting for Baby Wade to arrive!