I can’t even begin to explain my love for this country.  So far we have been in Thailand for four days and it already feels like a month (in a good way!).  After traveling in planes, waiting in airports, and riding in buses for about 30–ish hours, we arrived at our hostel around one in the morning.  It is a charming place with a guitar in the lobby and hand–painted maps of Bangkok the walls.  

On the first day, we walked to Chinatown, Thailand’s oldest shopping district.  On the way there we passed through a neighborhood filled with car–parts stores.  Now, this may sound boring, but it is my favorite part of Thailand so far.  It is filled with windy alleys filled with little shops with greasy dirty car parts literally overflowing into the streets.  The photographer in me instantly fell in love. 

Next, we went on a longboat tour of the canals around Bangkok.  We passed lines of houses on stilts with porches filled with bright clothes hung out to dry.  We all agreed to buy houses on the canals when we retire and live together.  There was a very romantic feeling to the simplicity of the houses.  Next, we walked to the Grand Palace.  It was very impressive, but a tad too sparkly for me.  The buildings were completely covered in mirrors and lights.  My favorite part of it was the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.  After walking around in the blinding light, it was very nice to step into the quiet shade of the temple.  There was a very captivating calm that filled the temple.  The Buddhas in the temple held their right hand up, as if telling those looking to pause and take a breath. 

Today, we took a longboat down the river.  We ate lunch at Pizza Hut!!  It was much fancier than any Pizza Hut I had ever seen in the states.  After that, we walked around and soaked up the sights and smells of the street.  We relaxed at the hotel for the rest of the day.  I am hoping to upload my pictures as soon as I finish organizing them.  

Stay posted! 

–Tori