Bangkok is an extreme urban experience. A city of 11 million or so, commerce dominates the landscape. Shopping, everywhere, for anything. Also food everywhere, of all types.
Although I do not have any insight whatsoever into the daily lives of Thais, I think it would be true to say that there must be a gulf of difference in the lifestyles of most Thais and the so-called expatriate community.
I was thinking of this, ironically and embarrassingly enough while getting a Thai massage. Massage parlours and spas proliferate and following a reference, on Saturday I wandered into a spa in a nice quiet soi (Thai for street). And because of the glut on the supply side, I was able to get a massage without a booking. A walk-in so to speak.
Thai massage is a full contact event. No discreet placing of hands on body. Hands yes, but also arms, elbows, feet, torso. Thai massage is distinguishable from the garden variety oil massage by its concentration of pulling, prodding and pushing the body into flexibility. And nicely, all while the client is fully clothed, thank you very much. Thai interactions are nothing if not discreet.
But one hour of this costs about $12.00 or BDS $24.
Thailand is a place where beauty, for its own sake, and in the context of faith, seems much valued. There is definitely a religious aesthetic. Spirit houses sit prettily on many properties. These rather elaborate and ornate structures are shrines, I am told, that provide shelter for spirits which could otherwise cause problems if not appeased. And so the shrines are also places for offerings, and in particular flowers.
The spirit houses, which dot the landscape, can be very elaborate and big or small but still quite elaborate. This one is close to where I am currently staying. Very lovely. Sorry for the bad picture.
Yesterday I finally went on the river and travelled to another part of Bangkok to the flower district. I thought of Jan. If you see orchids! And, not even potted. And lilies, roses, 30 baht for over 30 stems- remember USD1=32baht.
There is so much to explore and enjoy and learn.
On that note, I did some apartment hunting on Saturday. All that I saw were really great. But the decision hinges on location given the traffic. I have to find a place that will allow Rais to go to school and me to work without too much time in transit.
And as for the girls, they are living rather contentedly in Dere Street with Daddy. Kaila and Rais met up with old friends from Junior School and in the Trinidadian way, have been embraced back into the fold.
Two nights ago Elyse (16) asked me for a back massage and gave instructions as to how including things like, put one hand on left shoulder blade, other way down on the right side of lower back – then push in opposite directions – then reverse! — I did my best but I lacked the physical strength of the 6\’1 German physical therapist who\’d worked on her back a few months back. So I called her and read her the section on Thai massages, and when I told her the price, she asked if we could please move there.
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Yes, that pushing down in opposite directions is incorporated into the Thai massage. You will now have to come with Elyse!
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Roberta, you are obviously already fully immersed in the delicacies of Thai culture and society… I can smell the roses so to speak! Make that orchids.
Enjoy and endure the down side – it’s worth it.
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Thanks for sharing. I am learning so much, and your writing stimulates all the senses… hungry for more! Go Roberta, GO!!!
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Great descriptions, Roberta. I can feel that massage – not sure I want to leave the clothes on, though.
Sandra
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Sandra! You have to understand the clothes in the context of all that pushing and lifting.
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Roberta I am delighted to see that you are absorbing and enjoying the best of Thai culture including the massages. You have captured beautifully their full integration of their spiritual lives into their daily lives, and their wonderful sense of the aesthetic, which is so evident in their presentation of their foods. I cannot understand how Phyllis describes this as “so not you”. Even your blog motif, in my view, displays this aspect of you. I am sharing this with Jan. Thanks for sharing. Continue to enjoy.
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Roberta
Thanks for the virtual journey. I am enjoying following your Bangkok experiences. I almost expect to see you on HGTV on International House hunters, looking for an apartment:)
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I read your full blog posting and enjoyed hearing your impressions of Bangkok. I remember the intense urban experience and how cheap things are. Each place has its pros and cons I guess. I was thinking of the dofference between your Erdiston to Harrison college commute and what u might facing now. Good luck finding the right apartment. Remember my tom yam soup story- pepper hot for days! Watch out for it. Julian.
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Saw this quote today, and immediately thought of you… in the sense that this it is so NOT you. Thank you for being, and for sharing from beyond the walls:
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY
The tragedy in the lives of most of us is that we go through life walking down a high-walled land with people of our own kind, the same economic situation, the same national background and education and religious outlook. And beyond those walls, all humanity lies, unknown and unseen, and untouched by our restricted and impoverished lives.
Florence Luscomb, architect and suffragist (1887-1985)
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Roberta how lovely to hear of your experiences in Thailand. Apart from the amazing food – street and otherwise it’s meant to be an incredible country. Keep us posted.
Lots of love,
Dawn
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Only USD $12!!! At TTD$300, we are almost 5 times. How much a litre is gasoline? Do you plan to drive?
Flowers are amazing;be careful of allergies.
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Thank you very much for sharing this amazing journey. As usual your wonderful writing style paints a clear picture.
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