Greetings from Thailand

Even Ronald McDonald is going native in the Land of Smiles.

I'm writing my 100th posting from Bangkok where we'll be living for a month while Michael takes a course for teaching English as a second language. We're hoping to get to know this vibrant, crowded, dynamic city a little more in depth, if not quite from a local's level, then with an ex-pat kind of experience. We're renting an apartment in the Silom area, lively with all kinds of shopping, food vendors on the streets and alleys, embassies and banks, Starbucks and McDonalds on every corner. And we're not far from the skytrain and subway lines making much of this huge city more accessible since we're on foot.

One of a gazillion stalls selling Thai silk items at the Chatachuk weekend market.

One of the hazards of shopping there although no one seemed to bother my pockets or backpack.

Young monks lined up for food offerings

So I have no agenda while I'm here except to remember that I'm on vacation and to absorb as much of the local flavor as I can. That being said, we spent last night doing very un-Thai things as we met up with some friends from Pole who are also traveling around Asia.

Michael with Kevin, Derek and Paul at Molly Malones.

Not one but two Irish pubs are within minutes of our apartment and we met up at one and caught up on what we've all been doing after leaving South Pole a month ago. Well, actually those guys were in the group that got delayed for an agonizing 9 extra days so it's only been a few weeks since they've been off the ice but they've acclimated quite well to the tropical weather here by now.

After wandering around looking for some tasty street vendor food, we decided to see what a Thai version of a Mexican restaurant would be like.

It was actually better than I expected because I had little faith that there could be anything remotely resembling Mexican food in Southeast Asia. My Grilled Chicken Big Burrito could have been a star entree on something like an Applebee's menu. Actually the hot sauce condiments were quite good but the margaritas a bit too limey.

Paul with our waitress at Coyote Margarita Bar and Restaurant

Like many of the tourist establishments around here (the seedy Patpong streets are just a stroll away), there were plenty of lovely Thai waitresses at our Mexican place to entice the predominantly western male tourists roaming the streets. There's definitely an element of "entertainment" in this area that is a huge draw and I suppose that's just another facet of what makes Thailand a richly layered country that keeps pulling me and other tourists back to enjoy its wonders.