We went to a cultural museum for our activity yesterday and then via many modes of transport met up with another volunteer for a trip to Chinatown for dinner. That sounds very civilized to the poimt of boring! But anything 1) in Bangkok tuk tuks and 2) chaperoned by a 19 year old U of Chicago student is bound to be an adventure.
As soon as we entered the Chintown area, the way people drove was distinctly Chinese, not Thai. Thai drivers virtually never honk, always slow and stop for pedestrians, and in general are exceedingly polite. Chinese drivers - as seen in Shanghai in 2008 - go as fast as possible, hate the brakes, will calculate the pace of the pedestrian and plan to miss them but if the walker freaks and stops they honk and are annoyed that you stopped their trajectory. It takes a great deal of courage to know that when headlights are speeding at you!
We were dropped off at Point A and started asking questions about a certain cafe that as written up and nightly endorsed on several travel websites. We walked, and tuktuked, we walked more and tuktuked more. At the end of all that we were dropped off at Point A. Finally a very nice local man headed us in the right direction and our guide recognized the area and found our cafe - that term used strictly because they served food. We sat 1/2 way out in the street at the usually plastic table and stools and he ordered the house speciality: oysters. I am not normally a big oyster fan, but when in Bangkok...
They were amazing wonderful! I saw scallions and some kind of Breaded Egg under it and the oysters had stewed in some combination of spices. I know you can't see my mouth watering remembering it! As we finished eating and were enjoying our Thai beers, the rain started. Sprinkled Rain in Bangkok is only to let folks know to take cover. It never just sprinkles! The gusher began seconds later. The staff hurried us under the awning and we had to choose between using the one umbrella for three of us or getting a second beer. That was the easiest decision we made all day! It turns out Thai downpours are just about 2 beers long!
We took a very peaceful cab ride home and can say we have eaten the best Bankok Chinatown has!
As soon as we entered the Chintown area, the way people drove was distinctly Chinese, not Thai. Thai drivers virtually never honk, always slow and stop for pedestrians, and in general are exceedingly polite. Chinese drivers - as seen in Shanghai in 2008 - go as fast as possible, hate the brakes, will calculate the pace of the pedestrian and plan to miss them but if the walker freaks and stops they honk and are annoyed that you stopped their trajectory. It takes a great deal of courage to know that when headlights are speeding at you!We were dropped off at Point A and started asking questions about a certain cafe that as written up and nightly endorsed on several travel websites. We walked, and tuktuked, we walked more and tuktuked more. At the end of all that we were dropped off at Point A. Finally a very nice local man headed us in the right direction and our guide recognized the area and found our cafe - that term used strictly because they served food. We sat 1/2 way out in the street at the usually plastic table and stools and he ordered the house speciality: oysters. I am not normally a big oyster fan, but when in Bangkok...
They were amazing wonderful! I saw scallions and some kind of Breaded Egg under it and the oysters had stewed in some combination of spices. I know you can't see my mouth watering remembering it! As we finished eating and were enjoying our Thai beers, the rain started. Sprinkled Rain in Bangkok is only to let folks know to take cover. It never just sprinkles! The gusher began seconds later. The staff hurried us under the awning and we had to choose between using the one umbrella for three of us or getting a second beer. That was the easiest decision we made all day! It turns out Thai downpours are just about 2 beers long!
We took a very peaceful cab ride home and can say we have eaten the best Bankok Chinatown has!
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