Bangkok Dreamin' :: by mama

Inspired by my brother, I thought I'd make a list of my favorite things and moments from our time in Bangkok. Yes, I am still thinking about (and missing) Bangkok. Here are some reasons why:

1. Favorite sight: Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. This guy was amazing. I had heard that he was huge, but this went beyond all expectations. The carvings and paintings surrounding him were unbelievably detailed and gorgeous. Even Kaya kept saying, "Mama, it's so beeeeeautiful!" He was right.

(Note: Supposedly the Grand Palace is pretty impressive as well. I wouldn't really know, since I was too busy having contractions to look around much.)

2. Favorite food: Just about everything we had been missing is available in Bangkok. The best, though, was Villa Market's multigrain bread, transformed by Chris in our apartment's kitchen into the world's best french toast. Yes, I know I should say something about some fantastic Thai street food or something, but (a) I don't like Thai food, and (b) Chris's french toast is amazing. Really. Yum.

3. Favorite entertainment activity: We went to see the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra play outdoors at Lumpini Park, and it was so nice to sit outdoors (on real grass! without fear of deadly diseases!) and listen to music. However, this was a short-lived experience due to the fact that we chose to reproduce and now have two small children. Oh well.

4. REAL favorite entertainment activity: For Chris, I'm pretty sure this would be seeing Avatar in 3-D on an IMAX screen. For me, it's watching So You Think You Can Dance, Season 5. Yes, I am admitting this on the Internet. I watched every episode, beginning with the auditions, but I only made it to the final four contestants before we had to leave the country. I still don't know who won. In my defense, there were only 4 English-language stations on TV: BBC, Australia Network, Fox News (!) and Sony Entertainment Television. My choices were limited. And, I was pregnant. So there.

5. Favorite moment: The birth of Kiran, of course... but there were so many sweet moments with the boys, watching our new family. Also, the initial weekend when Chris "dropped me off" in Bangkok and Kaya stayed in Dhaka, when we were alone and actually managed to go to a movie and dinner, was wonderful as well. I love all three of my boys.

I really do think I could live in Bangkok. The Buddhist history and culture are fascinating to me. The language intrigues me: there are something like 80 letters, and it is tonal. (I swore after taking intensive Bangla classes for nine months that my next language would be an easier one, but what can I say? I like languages.) The city is easy to get around in, despite the traffic, because there are so many transportation options. We took taxis, the SkyTrain, riverboats, and tuk-tuks. There are also motorcycle taxis and a subway system, along with some slightly scary-looking public buses. Finally, I love that Bangkok is so cosmopolitan. The women have style, the men are polite, and everything is available somewhere. A couple more years in Asia? I wouldn't mind...