Blue in Bangkok

Several things have been conspiring against me to put me in this mood. I've got that feeling of "blah" where you just want to stay in bed all day. I don't get this way often, but I'm certainly feeling it now. In part, it's this city - Bangkok - The constant noise (even the parks have loudspeakers cranking music at distortedly loud levels), the intense air pollution, long characterless boulevards that are completely uninspiring, the "scene" on Khao San Road which we keep having to go back to just for internet. I mean, two days is cool, but two weeks!

It's in part because I'm throughly sick of eating the same half-dozen dishes, the entirety of tasty vegetarian options in Thailand, over and over and over again for the past six weeks (and it's all so sweet - there's sugar in everything!). It's in part because we feel "stuck" in trying to move forward with volunteer positions. We've poured ALOT of time into researching + considering various options since JUNE, and over the past six weeks the one we'd decided to work with has been going through growing pains so that they've been unresponsive at times and STILL haven't confirmed a start date. It's in part because we're NOT out here indefinitely and every day we waste by waiting around for this thing to happen just makes me want to chuck it all, go home and actually get PAID again.

But we WANTED to work on this trip. It was one of our big goals. And so here we still are in Bangkok, two weeks later. Waiting. And I've got the blues.

Joy-riding in Bangkok

Many quickly pass through Bangkok on their way to + from idyllic islands or any of Thailand's other highlights, but how many take time to explore the hidden gems of this capital city? Did you know there is a commuter boat system that speeds down the narrow khlongs (canals) right into the heart of downtown?! It's true, and even more, it's more exhilerating than a double-espresso on you way to work. We discovered it on our previous visit and it didn't fail to thrill us a second time around. In fact, we spent the better part of an afternoon riding it all the way to the end of the line and back. HIGHLY recommended!

San Saeb stop, the heart of downtown. The striped tarps on the boats are to protect passengers from the spray. Standard fare - 50 cents.

Ticket-taker/Boat-moorer. These guys/girls are constantly working their way around the narrow edge of the boat and really seem to enjoy work.

Not alot of room for error as two boats speed past each other in opposite directions. We watched one driver make a 5-pointed turn in no time flat. Where do they practice?

And all this bustle right next to people's homes. Huge lengths of the canals are lined with walkways too for more fun exploration. Check out the downtown highrises in the distance.

Check the links for more current photos from Central Thailand + Bangkok