Right now we are about 5 km away from the border to Cambodia, getting ready to cross over tomorrow. We are loving this hotel, with Cable TV, Internet, and lots of interesting books, only $10.00 a night. We are enjoying the prospects of menu entrees such as "boiled snake head". Carmen, of course, is happy that this place has newspapers and BBC Global news. He was also impressed with the fact that the Remote Control in our room apparently surfs channels on its own.
Besides that we are saying goodbye to a very wonderful and slightly quirky experience in Southern Thailand. Being the hub for many a European vacation, we became used to being lost in a crowd of languages such as French, Italian, German, etc. At times, it was easy to forget we were in Thailand; for example, when we ate breakfast in a German Cafe, with Waiters so accustomed to the flow of German tourists they showed the news in German and even conversed with customers in "The Mother Tongue."
When it comes to clothes, Thailand is very liberal. Being a very warm climate this is a logic that is hard to disagree with. But we found ourselves shaking our heads and laughing when we were welcomed into a Guesthouse by a women wearing only her towel, complete with wet hair and pimple cream smeared on her face. That same night, when we decided to take a random boat to a random island, we were driven into town on motocycles by men wearing only their boxers. These people, apparently, are very comfortable in their own skin...I just can't imagine what my Mother would do if she was here...
We also had to get used to the beaches. Being european-dominated, the going outfit seemed to be the speedo, and, well, that's all...for men and women alike. It seemes the mentality is, old or young, fat or thin, you just gotta let it all hang out when you are at the beach. I guess if after 5 months of travelling you don't have a bit of an open mind in these issues...you just never will...
Yesterday we were awestruck by the beautiful Grand Palace and Wat Pho in Bangkok city. The ornate detail is overwhelming to say the least. The Wat Pho complex houses the largest statue of Buddha in the; it must be about 35 metres long and 15 high (he's reclining). Of course, right outside the temple (bot) where you would typically expect the strict long-pants-and-shoulders-covered dress code to be observed, there was a group of young guys playing volleyball in their boxing shorts (still within the Wat Pho complex).
So, as it goes, Thailand often has a very relaxed and liberal vibe when it comes to clothing (or lack thereof). I guess coming from a cold climate where I wear at least 4 layers at a time about 3/4'ths of the year, it is a spectacle to say the least. Carmen and I just laugh.
Oh speaking of laughing, and continuing our above theme: we spotted a monk's nipple in the market, poking out through the folds of his traditional clothing...It's not that they are as relaxed about their exposure of skin...We think he just put his robes on wrong that day.
Write us if you have anything to laugh about too...We love hearing from you all.
Love
Carmen and Marcie
Anyways, tomorrow it will all change, for better or
3 comments:
My blog feed let me know that you've written again! Yes, we live sheltered lives this far north of the Equator! Things one sees for the first time in one's life can be quite shocking or hilarious, but become common place and not worth noticing soon enough. I love the way you write and describe your adventures! It sounds like you are having a whale of a time and that is great! $10 bucks a night for a room sounds right for my budget!!LOL
Happy Family Day!!
did you score any sweet reads for reading/exchanging? don't forget to try and pick up i have a bed made of buttermilk pancakes, if you get a chance. otherwise you can just borrow it from me upon your return to our many layered existence.
aaaah - I love the lack of clothing. me and those thai people woud get along just peachy. ;)
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