Bangkok 2 Temples

The Monday, my co-year and Hailee's room mate in her Second Year at UWC USA from Hong Kong arrived for a few days. She was going to do a Eurotrip and the flights somehow worked out cheaper to go from Bangkok to Finland.

Sheena was absolutely lovely. Since Mint was an amazing host we ended up sharing the double bed and she slept on the sofa.

That afternoon we went to Temples. WOW WOW WOW WOW.
I just can't get over how truly beautiful they all are.

We started by going to the biggest and most known, the Grand Palace.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Palace

Inside was the Emeral Buddha, which we couldn't take pictures of. All of the buildings were so elaborate and colourful. I was in awe. I also really liked the skirt I had to wear to be respectful, and how  we took off our shoes inside. Also, in each room there is a ledge that you have to step over, and be sure not to step on. This is to stop bad spirits from following you from room to room. I really liked all of these traditions. There were so many stories that I couldn't keep up with. Many monks too.

The next temple we went to was the one with the Biggest Reclining Buddha.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho

On the way their Mint and I had an interesting discussion about how now the Buddha is becoming so commercialised and losing the respect it deserves. Like Buddha heads as candles. I felt rather guilty at this as 1) I never knew the buddha looked like anything other than the fat jolly sitting guy and 2) Only last year I went to a club with Chlo and Heidi in Monaco actually called the Buddha Bar.

The final temple of the day was Wat Arun. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Arun

We had to cross a river on a rickety boat and climb up many steep steps. But I thought it was wonderful nevertheless.

That evening we went to Chinatown. On Monday's though - China town is closed. This is because the street vendors aren't allowed out. We still had some DELICIOUS seafood in a restaurant where I have never felt so 'Western' in my life. Or worried about food poisoning. But Mint told it like it is 'It's not authentic good if it's not like this.' So I braved it and here I am to tell the story my friends.

Then we went out back to Khao San Road where it poured with rain. The few hours that we were their were fun even so.

From Monks to Lady Boys - Bangkok was many firsts. It was an joke between the three of us that I struggled SO much with telling them apart from actual girls. I would also feel guilty sometimes, because what if it was just a masculine looking girl? How mean of me would it be if I assumed it was a boy playing dress up? It the week I was sure of about 6 though.