Bangkok: living in the village

Trip Summary

Whether you are in the center or way out in the burbs near the airport, it is hard not to be struck by coexistence of the old and new worlds in Bangkok. We are spending our last night and day out near the Suvarnabhumi Airport in order to avoid some of the transportation chaos caused by the protests in the center. Wherever you are in the world, hotels near airports are soulless modern buildings plunked down beside expressways in vast commercial wastelands. Our hotel is one of these, but with a notable exception. Yes, it is right next to, or almost under an expressway, and it would be easier to buy a car than a coffee out here. It is, however, also in a village. Tucked in behind the main modern thoroughfares, cut off from all but local traffic by a series of canals, is a Thai village. With a temple pig, wonderful street food,  and winding paths that reveal Bangkok's floating canal life.

Off to Cooking School In Bangkok

Ruth: Ok, friends and family, it is time to confess that for Christmas this year Gordon and I have not bought presents for any of you.  But all is not lost, because instead of opening up items you don't want or need, Gordon and I can now cook fantastic Thai food for you. Today we went to cooking school at May Kaidee's Vegetarian Thai restaurant in Bangkok.  I won't begin to suggest that coming to Thailand was an altruistic act, but I guarantee this couse will benefit many of you who come for dinner at our house in the future. 

In four hours we made ten vegetarian  dishes and ate more amazing Thai food than anyone ever should. I felt like I was on a cooking show, with all the ingredients chopped and diced, ready and waiting for us to do the easy part, and of course there were no dishes to do.

We started by learning how to make Chili Paste and then we moved on to prepare some wonderful Tom Yum Soup. Then we made Fried Vegetables with Ginger and Cashew Nuts.

After that we moved on to a vegetarian Pad Thai that was better than any other I have tasted. This was probably due to the fact that it was topped with fresh peanut sauce  we also learned how to create.

After a dancing and singing lesson (good for digestion) we moved on to curries: Massaman and Green. Oh I love this country! Then we buckled down to make spring rolls and a green papaya salad. Dessert was the most sensational Mango with Sticky Rice. 

Merry Christmas and see you for dinner in the New Year.

A day of Protest in Bankok

Yesterday was to be the final showdown between the anti government protesters and the the Thai Prime Minister. An estimated 150,000 protesters poured into our neighborhood to demand that the government step down. However, before the crowds arrived the Prime Minister announced her resignation and called for a new election. The mood was buoyant and the protest peaceful as the demonstrators paraded through the government district. We laid low until our host assessed the situation from the news and gave us the OK to head out. It was early enough that people were streaming down our street en route to the speeches. Note to mom: no worries, we are very safe here and we have no intention of getting mixed up in any trouble.

We headed over to the Khoisan road area to get a SIM card and look for maps. Our bikes arrived in the night so we are now getting our heads around planning our cycling routes. Before the trip our nomadic friends Gayle and John connected us with their cyclist friend Bill Weir, who by coincidence is also in Bangkok.  We met up with him for a visit and walk along the river. Bill has cycled more of the world than anyone I know.  Gord and I have always felt that we travel a lot, but Bill has been exploring corners of the world since he quit his job in the 70's! Connecting with Bill has been a very lucky treat.  It is wonderful to share stories and learn from someone  who has cycled  so much in Thailand.