Bangkok - the Wall Paintings

I've visited quite a few main temple halls these past few days.  All of the halls I've seen have had amazing paintings on the walls.  In a few places the paintings have been really old and practically worn off, but in most they are either holding up just fine or look like they've been restored recently.  Here are a few of my favorite:

From the Hall of the Lucky Buddha

I think these were from a temple in Wat Pho (but not the Hall of the Reclining Buddha)

These are from the Hall of the Reclining Buddha

Catching Up!

So.....the first of a few catching-up entries!

I've been here for about one week.  I've managed to go the Chatuchak Outdoor Market twice, wander around the city a bit, meet a friend of my friend Andy for a chat and dinner, and get a LOT of walking in!

Today I took the ferry up the river to a major temple complex.  I'll have pictures from that part of the trip in a different blog entry, but here are a few photos from the river.  Actually, the first is OF the river, but I thought this was interesting - no sides in the middle!  So don't fall into the river! 

OK.  This was just to get a few things out of the way.  I'm going to post three picture blogs now - one of Buddhas I've seen so far (statues, not actual Buddhas), wall paintings, and Temples.  Hope you enjoy them!

Here's something interesting....

As you know, I'm here in Bangkok having a fine old time.  A small monsoon blew through this morning, but then by 10:00 had cleared itself up and out, and the sun came out.  The downside of all that - well, the cool pre-monsoon weather turned a little steamy!  Oh well....I am in Bangkok so what else can you expect?!

Anyway, here' the something interesting.  I just found it in the International Herald Tribune:

Coup Fears Grow as Bangkok Boils

Boiling?  I saw tons of people shopping in the massive malls downtown, lots of people shopping with me in the muggy outdoor market this afternoon, lots of people out a few minutes ago shopping in the mall (Side note - I promise you there were at least 10 mobile phone shops in the mall, and then across the street a small outdoor shopping arcade with literally 50 - I counted!)  

My point? Well, lots of shopping but no political boiling.  I know the army has asked the Prime Minister to resign and he's refused.  I know he's the brother-in-law of the previous Prime Minister who resigned for I can't remember what reasons now but some sort of corruption probe.  I suppose there MAY be a coup, but it just shows that you really can't believe everything (and possibly anything) you read.  At least not without understanding the ideology of the person/news company it's coming from.  And even if there is it's not because the country is boiling, even if some people in the military are.

Anyway, all's quiet.  No general boiling!

Oh, and I just finished Orwell's 1984.  Maybe, just maybe, it's not quite appropriate for small children.  So ignore my earlier advice on reading it as a family.  However, all adults (that includes teenagers who are already or soon-to-be voters) should definitely be reading it.  It's very very interesting and completely relevant to today.  

An example - Did you hear about Republican congresswoman Michele Bachmann (Minnesota) who called for investigations by the media into the loyalty and (her words) anti-American attitudes of Obama, the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority leader (and by extension all liberal members of Congress?)  Of course, she used the typical weasel words that the Republicans have used so often this campaign to plant doubt and fear into the minds of voters - he "might" have this or that, I'm concerned that "perhaps they have" talked to so and so, etc.  But guess what - Innuendo is the same as a lie.  We need to hold elected representatives to the highest standard.  They seem to constantly aim for the lowest and we let them get away with it.

Sadly, it's not a Saturday Night Live skit - it's real.  You can read about it here and hear about it on YouTube here.  That was and is a purely fascist thing to suggest happen.  We, as Americans, have GOT to make sure that the people we elect to govern this country in our name are not behaving like we did in the bad old days of Joseph McCarthy.  It's time for a change!

A Day of Discoveries

I discovered quite a few things today.  In no particular order here are some of them:

• Dragonflies swarm around the trees along the river here in Bangkok.  When I was crossing the bridge across the Chao Phraya river they were everywhere!  Very cool to see hundreds of them at once darting here and there...

• After walking for an HOUR from the apartment to the ferry at the river yesterday (and then back later in the day!) I discovered that the apartment has a shuttle that leaves on the hour for the ferry!  It's a 10 minute ride...what a relief!  While I walked back - apparently it only does the circuit if there's someone who wants it, and I can't call and ask for it since I don't speak any Thai - walking one way isn't a bad thing.  Anyway, this opens all sorts of new possibilities....I can take the shuttle to the ferry, then either the ferry or the walkway across the bridge, and then the SkyTrain to everywhere.  Definitely a relief!  I was a little worried about having to walk or take a taxi every time I wanted to leave here - not that I mind walking, but an hour just to get where I wanted to be, and then a day of walking on top of that was making my feet hurt just thinking about it!

• A lot of the canals on this side of the river (the Thon Buri side) are really rather revolting!  Hardly any flow so things just stagnate.  On my walk back from the ferry today I didn't feel like walking along what is basically the highway, so I wandered through the back streets.  Totally interesting, and more than a few people stared - this isn't the touristy side of things.  So it was cool.  But at one point I had to either go back quite a way or cross a wide canal on a little cement beam.  I figured if I fell in I would probably die instantly, so I wasn't worried about a long lingering death....but it was REVOLTING!  I think the king needs to come down, see what's happening, and get things straightened out!

• I discovered lots and lots of little factories on my walk home today.  There were people making machine parts, shoes, clothes....and I could hear other things being made behind closed doors and over walls.  Thailand is definitely a place in transition - still lots of agriculture, but lots and lots of small industries happening.  I think it's the classic development model - I hope Thais can keep in touch with their culture while improving their living standards.  Or perhaps I should say that I hope they can keep healthy and happy while trying to work global capitalism into the mix.  I guess we'll see.....

• I was reading the new today from the US and discovered that Joe the Plumber of debate fame has some issues - 1) his name isn't Joe (but maybe it's his middle name, so OK), 2) he doesn't have a plumbers license so while maybe he knows how to be a plumber, is he really? (and having a license is a legal requirement where he lives and works), 3) he isn't a member of the plumbers' union (but I suppose you don't HAVE to be a member to be a plumber) and 4) he owes back taxes, so before worrying if an increase in his income will lead to more tax payments (yes, of course, if you make more money you pay more in taxes - why is that so controversial?!) he should pay the ones he currently owes.  All very interesting!

• Bangkok is a MASSIVE  city!  I mean, I knew it would be big.  But today I took the Sky Train to a big weekend outdoor market (Chatuchak Market).  There are massively tall buildings everywhere as far as you can see.  I think I've grown used to cities with really defined cores - even London and Paris have all their massive new buildings in just a few places.  But here they are just everywhere.  According to Wikipedia it's the world's 22nd largest city with a population of over 8 million.  That's impressive!

• I discovered a VERY TASTY stall at the Chatuchak market selling roast pork.  He just chops it up with a massive butcher knife (it's cooked, of course), adds some sweet and spicy sauce, and that's it.  I can't wait for some more tomorrow!  The food here is amazing - but I don't know what it is and I don't know how to order!  So I just wander around, try this and that hoping for the best (or at least not the worst) and see what happens!

• My bookclub is reading George Orwell's 1984.  It's quite interesting.....and rather relevant to today, I think. I highly recommend it - it will make you think, that's for sure!  Maybe families should read it and discuss its relevance to today!  Get to work!  :-)

I think that's it.  Tomorrow I'm going back to Chatuchak Market.  I didn't take any money today - I didn't want to be an impulse buyer!  There are a few things I saw that I am still thinking about - that's my test.  It's only on the weekends, so I have to go tomorrow or wait for a week.   It's such a maze that I'm afraid if I wait for a week I'll forget where to find things!  So I'll pick up a few things, and then probably wander around a little more once I've accomplished my goals.  (See, even on holiday goals sometimes slip in - how sad!)  :-)  

Well, I'm in Bangkok now!

I made it here.  I almost missed my flight because I had it in my head that I was leaving on Wednesday.  But I was ARRIVING on Wednesday, so of course I had to be leaving on Tuesday!  I just happened to notice that little fact in time to get myself ready and to the airport!  

It was a LONG flight on United via Tokyo.  The plane didn't have seat-back screens (United must still be flying in the Middle Ages) and so it was a VERY long flight!  I had lots of New Republics to catch up on from the last 6 months (luckily) so I occupied my time that way.  From Tokyo to Bangkok was only about 6 hours, and I was exhausted to I slept.  That plane did have seat-back screens, but it wasn't on-demand movies.  This plane was from the Industrial Age - not exactly ancient technology but not exactly modern, either!  :-)

Anyway, here are a few views from the windows of the place I'm staying.

Yes, that's downtown in the FAR distance...

There are some really old interesting buildings here and there - temples, of course, and then old European-style buildings with balconies and arches...

The early morning traffic.  Where they're all going I don't know, and why they're all going just one way is another mystery!

This is right below my place.  Definitely this is a city of contrasts - I'm staying in a totally modern apartment on the 13th floor (well, 12A to avoid the unlucky 13) and right below the building is this....and it's live at night with people cooking and a dance club of some sort!

I don't know the name of the tower, but it's a traditional WAT.  There are lots of these around, and I'm sure I'll be putting many pictures up over the next two weeks.  I think that all wats have a sacred relic related to the Buddha in them.  I could be wrong on that, but I think that's right...

OK.  So on my first day I walked into town.  It was very interesting.  I'll take some pictures of the walk one of these days - it was very dark and cloudy that day so I didn't take anything until the afternoon when it sort of cleared up.  Anyway, after a long walk I crossed the river and saw this temple complex.

The green decorated tower on the right of the picture is a wat.

I sat for a while in the larger temple in the background.  There was a silent something going on there.  It was very relaxing and very refreshing to just let my mind wander where it wanted to while sitting there.  The sound and the feel of the fans, along with the sound of traffic in the background, made me think of summers sitting in Grandma Kendall's house in Salt Lake with the traffic roaring by on 7th East.  It was very contemplative.

I think this is going to be a great and relaxing holiday.  This place is a little farther away from things that I would have liked, and the SkyTrain stations close to this place aren't quite open yet (that's a sad thing...)  But there are taxis everywhere, and so for those time I don't feel like walking it's easy enough to get around.  But I like the walking - you can really see the people and the places you are in the middle of.  Everyone is cooking, so the air is full of amazing smells.  You can't walk more than a few steps without running into someone who is selling noodles, grilled meat, rice dishes, fruit, water, etc.  It's quite amazing!

Now I'm going to head out for the massive weekend market.  We'll see if I can find it!  And then not get lost in it.  And then find my way home.  Ciao!

The Blue Angels

So, for everyone not in San Francisco, this was Fleet Week.  I think it was a big deal back when there was actually a fleet here!  I think then there were tons of ships that came from all over the world, and there were sailors and all sorts of people wandering around the streets.  There are still a few, but I guess it's not like it was!

Anyway, one of the big (and very cool) events that make up Fleet Week is the aerial show of the Blue Angels.  (I almost wrote the Blue Angles, which is a very different thing, indeed....)  You should really check out the website for the Blue Angels....it's like being in a club on a Saturday night!  Who knew being in the military as a pilot could be so cool!

Anyway, I did NOT take these pictures - so no credit to me, please.  But I could see the planes from my house as they roared all around the city.  I've been down to the Embarcadero to see them up close and personal.  That was cool - one (or more?) flies under the Golden Gate Bridge as I recall.  And the do some amazing straight-up in the air things.  It's cool!

Anyway, here you go!

On Wednesday I'm off to Bangkok for two weeks.  Thanks to Spencer I've remembered to pack my camera, so I'll be posting some pics from my wanderings.  I'm just staying in Bangkok for the majority of the trip - there are lots of palaces, temples, gardens, markets and stuff like that to see.  I might take a day-trip or two depending on what I find.  I hear the old capital of Siam (Ayutthaya) is very interesting, and I can take a boat-ride to get there.

I would love to go to Angkor Wat if I can find a reasonably priced trip.  We'll see.  Also, if I get bored, a friend of mine will be in Hong Kong so I can always go over there for a few days.  That actually sounds sort of fun!  I really liked Hong Kong when I met mom and dad there.

I have lots of good reading material.  My book club decided to read George Orwell's 1984 for our current book.  I've never read it before, but I hear it's very relevant to what we're living through these days.  It should be interesting.  I have to fly through Tokyo so I have LOTS of time on my hands.  I wish I could have figured out how to spend a few days in Japan, but that will have to be another trip.

That's it.  Ciao!

Happy to be back in San Francisco

I've been back in San Francisco for about two weeks now.  I thought I'd share a few reasons why I am glad to be back here!

The first night I was back I went down to my favorite Thai restaurant King of Thai.  They have an amazing boneless duck breast on rice.  Next to me as a guy (with some amazing tattoos) and his daughter.  They were talking about the difference between grizzly bears and polar bears, and discussing whether or not those two could have little cubs together.  His daughter was maybe 5 years old - how cool is that!

Last week I went to the Asian Art Museum to listen to a lecture on Japanese tattoo art (there does seem to be a lot of tattoos running around the city.)  It was really interesting to hear about the connection between woodblock print and Japanese tattoos.  And even more interesting was the fact that there were several tattoo artists from Japan actually working in one of the exhibit spaces on actual people.  Very cool.  Here are some of the actual tattoos:

This past weekend there were four things happening that reflect the diversity of San Francisco.  And all on just one weekend. 

1. The Castro Street Fair
2. The Love Fest (great electronica music and massive crowds)
3. The 9th Annual World Vegan Food Festival
4. The 8th Annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival (or something like that)

A few days ago I saw a little boy with a fantastic mohawk in the park while I was reading.  The new California Academy of Sciences building opened with a massive outdoor party for families.  I remember going there when I was small.  Now it's this massively impressive building with a living roof, tropical rain forest and aquarium. 

 

Anyway, this boy was there with his family.  The mohawk was very impressive.  He was maybe 8.  I also saw a dad with his little daughter.  He has some tattoos that were very colorful - see, tattoos are everywhere.  (Not that I want one, or lots of them, but I can appreciate them as interesting art!)  Anyway, his little daughter (maybe 3 yrs old at the most) was laughing and trying to learn to ride his skateboard.  It was cool.  After playing around with that for a while they went over to watch the weekend roller-skaters dance around (see below for a link to this...)

Today when I was reading in the park I saw a guy with his iPod dancing to the music while he was on his roller-skates.  Couldn't do that in a million years because I'd fall flat on my rear, but it was very fun to watch.  Here's a video of some people in Golden Gate Park roller-skating!

Last but not least I met with about 10 of my Mormon friends who are absolutely opposed to Proposition 8 here in California.  Proposition 8, if it passes, will remove the right to marry the person you love if you are gay.  It's as simple as that.  Sadly, the our church has come down on the wrong side of this issue - the truly moral, Christian and ethical way to behave is to love and support all of God's children in their quest for love.  And there are few things that are more important than being loved and loving in return.  Why people find that frightening is beyond me.  But fortunately, the Gospel requires us to think, ponder and pray after we hear guidance from our leaders - and after we think, ponder and pray we HAVE to follow what the Spirit and the Light of Christ leads us to do.  That's the wonderful thing about the Gospel!  :-)