Nine Temples in Bangkok and a tidal flood!

In the morning Jit's nephew was taking pictures with our old Konica digital camera. We are going to give it to the family. Git, Jit's brother, has two wives, well not really, it is more like he has one wife and the other he supports the kids and the home but does not really stay with the family. In Thailand it is having two wives, in the United States it is getting divorced and paying child support and sharing custody. Anyway Jit's niece and nephew and their mother visit often, the kids are a joy. Jit's dad is excellent with them. Jit's nephew got a battery powered remote car for Christmas, or New Years. He is running it all over the house and on the path in front of the house.

When we left for the trip the path to the small boat was flooded, we had to take off our shoes and socks and roll up our pants, We went along the concrete path, there was a lot of junk. Some of the houses were flooded. I think this is a common occurrence, I have seen remnants of the tidal flood before, I just never put it together. When we got to the river we rinsed our feet off and got into the boat. It was a little scary, if I waded off the concrete path, that I could barely see, I would be in the river. On the other side of the river there were wooden platforms to walk across to get over the flooded area.

Coming back from the nine temple exploration Wela asked me if I could swim, which I barely can. Wela seemed concerned, which is not confidence inspiring. I have seen nothing risky with the small boats, except getting in and out, but Wela has been using the boats all his life. I know if I mess up getting on or off either the small or large boat that I am in trouble. Like many things in Thailand I need to take may experiences with a little more risk then I would face back in Alaska. I have a choice, experiences, or safety. I am choosing experiences, but I try to be careful. Seriously, before I leave in the morning I tell myself to watch both ways, but I have had to make some snap judgments that could have been wrong.

The Lady in black looked sick today, I think she had a fever. When we got back to 7-11 she was not there. Her clothes are getting filthy again. The taxi driver, who gave her money, said she hassled him afterwards for more money, it makes me cautious. Maybe when we are leaving I can see if there is a way to leave some money at the Klong Toey Wat.

This morning there is much less traffic in Bangkok and many store fronts are closed. There are also many fewer street vendors. I have to remember this time, it is a good time to explore some of the places in Bangkok, sort of wander around in a car or taxi.

The temples we covered, some count for more then one because of the Buddha images, at least that is what I was told, were Wat Suthat, Wat Po, the Emerald Buddha, which was packed with tourists, the City Pillar which counted for four or five visits for some reason, Wat In, and Wat Chai Chanasongkhram near Kho San road. We ate near Wat In which is near the express way to the Rama XIII bridge. The noodle shop was under the express way, and the food, and ambience were interesting. I think my favorite places to eat in Thailand are the everyday noodle shop restaurants that have been opened for many years. Most of them seem to be run by families. There is a tall standing Buddha and also a Chinese temple in Wat In. There was also a statue of King Taksin. It was not a tourist place. The Emerald Buddha area and the Grand Palace were packed. We tried to get into the Thai entrance, but they would not let us, so we had to walk around the outside of the temple to get in. Wela, Jit, Poom, and Newey became honorary tourists. I had to pay to get in. The temple was packed. I have been to the Grand Palace in May, June, and September and it is pretty nice, but during the tourist season, now, it is too busy to even see anything. The other Wats were not overwhelming, but the City Pilar or Post was pretty busy also.

When we were leaving for our trip we were talking with Lek, he said we could do the same thing in the Phra Pradaeng area, there were twelve temples that we could visit. I think he is right. I am getting the idea that each community supports more then one temple. Lek's idea is a good one. Maybe after exploring nine temples at Ayutthaya we can do the same thing in Phra Pradaeng.

At Wat Po there is a Phallus statue, when I was there a couple German tourists were fussing with their camera trying to get it to work next to the Phallus. I naturally took some pictures with my film camera. I hope they capture the situation. As an aside I see many phallus symbols in Thailand. I see them in people houses and even on key chains. I guess it is a good thing to hope for and to pray about. In America we are preoccupied with the same things, we are just less direct. Another thing I notice in Thailand, if you are fat, people tell you so! The description is usually accurate, and I am not sure if people take offense, or even how they take it.

I took a lot of pictures, both film and digital. I used a Fuji Z2, a camera I am very happy, with to take pictures in the car. I know it is not right to take pictures from a moving car, and through a window, but better some pictures then none. Actually I am surprised, I like some of the pictures that I am taking in such a technically terrible situation. I will post some pictures from the taxi or car later, maybe I have discovered a new method of photography :) (Just Kidding) I need to let the pictures simmer awhile before I post them, I look at them, ignore them, and then look at them again. Usually after I let a little time past I can see what the pictures say and not just what I intended.

The tide was down when we got back, so no flood. We could wear our shoes all the way home. It was a good day. I love exploring.