people watching in foreign places

Let's talk fashion.

Although I only got to spend three days in Bangkok, I was still struck by how different Thai fashion was from the Vietnamese fashion I'd seen so far, not just in the merchandise sold in the markets but also in street wear. Apart from the mere existence of a Bangkok street style already saying a lot in and of itself (I haven't particularly noticed one so far during my stay in Hanoi), the Vietnamese have an interesting sense of dressing conservative. Clothes here aren't low-cut, but they can come completely sheer, with girls going totally cookies 'n cream (when you wear a dark bra with a light, sheer top). Thai people more or less dressed pretty Western, and I definitely felt like I blended in a lot more (or maybe they're just way more used to tourists).

That said, when I say that Thai people dressed more Western, that doesn't mean they schlepped around in jeans and T-shirts like Americans do. In a previous post, I talked about the "all or nothing" make-up trend in Viet Nam, but in Bangkok (and this could just be because it is a major city), the women were definitely done over completely -- hair, nails, make up, everything.

A few general trends I noticed (as always, click to enlarge any photos): bright colors, especially as accents; flowing silhouettes; graphic tees; a punk vibe; asymmetrical/blunt/otherwise interesting haircuts; clashing patterns; big bags; and fun shoes.

Side note: the murse ("man purse") has also hit Asia. Hard.

going to san francisco with flowers in my hair

Shopping in southeast Asia is singlehandedly turning me into a flower child.

i now know how to say "black coffee" in thai

A day before the trip, I stumbled upon the NY Times article "36 Hours in Bangkok" and, of the 12 things they listed to do, we did or were in the area of seven of them. Not too shabby.

First off, Bangkok. Is. Beautiful.
No, seriously.
Beautiful.

We got there around noon on Saturday and left on a 6:45 am flight out on Tuesday. The city is really developed (it reminded me of Toronto, actually), has an excellent Sky Train system, a nice water ferry system that goes along the river, and incredible shopping, both in the night/street markets and at the upscale malls. I took about 660 pictures throughout the entire trip, not even exaggerating.

The first thing we did was take an hour-long long boat ride on the river that runs through the city.

The locals wave at you from the sides as you pass by.

Riding in tuk tuks is kind of like speeding around on the highway in a golf cart.

Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. I had to wrap a silk scarf around my shoulders and my waist because I was not appropriately dressed to enter the temple.

A view of Bangkok at night from the Sky Train station.

Who needs malls when you have night markets? Everything in Bangkok is super cute, well-made, and cheap. Bargaining is also a whole lot easier too.

Pad Thai in Thailand!




The plaza between Siam Center and Siam Paragon, which are trendy and upscale, respectively.

Front row at the Calypso lady boy cabaret show.




The Kai-Jo Brothers play every Sunday at a bar near our guesthouse, we learned. They were straight up reggaeton.

We, of course, danced.

Dim sum in Chinatown.

Water ferries are my favorite.

Monks have their own special "space for monks" on the ferry.

We toured the Jim Thompson House, which was the home of the architect Jim Thompson, who was born in New York but moved to Thailand after he fell in love with the culture. He collected art and also helped establish the silk industry. Nobody knows what happened to Jim Thompson in the end because he disappeared while on a trip, but common theories include him getting killed by a tiger, getting kidnapped, and getting killed by a bus.


Dinner for our last night was at Cabbages & Condoms, a themed restaurant promoting safe sex.

Please note the "Democrat" and "Republican" options.

Night market in the Red Light District.

These men on the side would come up to you with their cards, which all listed the different show options for the night, and ask if you want a "sexy show" or "super pussy."


Our bus stop was by the Democracy Monument.

Tourist attractions in the night market near our guesthouse.

It was always a good idea at the time. (In my defense, I had an hour of sleep the night before.)

i blame all the hanoian air pollution

You know that thing everyone has that makes them super self-conscious? Some people don't like their teeth, so they smile with their mouth closed. Some don't like their toes, so they never wear flip flops.

I don't like wearing glasses.

Not only do I feel like supernerd when I wear glasses, but more so it drives me absolutely crazy how my black frames constantly slip down my nose, especially in hot, sweaty weather, causing me to feel like the only way I can see the world clearly is by literally tilting my nose up in the air continuously (it's fashion over function, seriously).

Unfortunately for me, I went to the SOS clinic nearby to get my wonky left eye checked out and, turns out, I have acute conjunctivitis, which, believe me, sounds so much worse than it actually is. What it means though is that I have to put in eye drops 3 times a day for four days -- and during those four days, I cannot wear contacts.

Guess where I'm going tomorrow morning?
BANGKOK, THAILAND.

Guess who's going to be supernerd in Bangkok, Thailand?
You're looking at her.

too much green, too much fun

[Photo credit: National Geographic]

I'M GOING TO BANGKOK, THAILAND!

The weekend after next, we have three days reserved for independent travel, and so Phil and I booked tickets to Bangkok because... we can. Yushen, Johnny, and Alex are buying their tickets tonight, so that makes the final Bangkok 2008 group: me and four guys. ...I really hope I don't get ditched for a strip club.

Tickets were about $60 minus the taxes and fees, but about $160 with taxes and fees, which, although ridiculous, is about how much it costs to go to, what, Boston? Hostel or budget hotel costs are about $10 to $15 on average for a decent to good one, so it's really affordable living.

And it's fucking Thailand.

Anyway, moving on to what happened this last weekend: the entire group (us plus our Vietnamese roommates) spent the night on a boat in Ha Long Bay, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We sunbathed and stargazed on the roof of the boat (glorious!), went swimming in the salty water (amazing!), visited the grottos and caves (eerily beautiful!), and had an overall fantastic time.

Additionally, last night Thu came back to the room with about 40 long-stemmed red roses for me that she had bought from the Night Market (which is only open Friday to Sunday). She is the sweetest girl ever. No, seriously. She's been getting me little gifts everyday and leaving me notes every morning.

Basically, this entire weekend has left me speechless.