First exposure

(By Susan)

The landing outside our room

Outside our guesthouse

Streetscape

Our first time in Bangkok. Rory's first time (as an adult) in Asia. Sights, sounds, smells, tastes that we remember from other Asian cities. It's always fascinating. I always look forward to the chicken soup - for breakfast. Bangkok seems a relatively gentle reintroduction to this part of the world. Paula has booked us into a lovely older guesthouse, one she's stayed each year for the past seven. 

We've visited temples, and found the stunning handiwork of sculptors and artists.... the amazing things that people can do .... through all the ages. The Wat Arun temple is spectacular, the decor of ceramic tiles and plates delightful. I just couldn't bring myself to go to the top level - mainly because the thought of coming back down those stairs was terrifying. 

....  and that's why I didn't go up there!

A cat at the temple

We went to the Chatachuk markets, and almost didn't get lost. It must be at least 10 acres worth of 2x2m stalls. We bought very little as seems to happen when faced with far too much choice. A stunning array of shoes, puppies, toys, live fish & turtles, amazingly wonderful art, food....truly overwhelming. 

Chatachuk market

And today we are faced with the reality of the search for democracy. Just two doors up from where we're staying was a  pre-polling station (we hadn't realised that earlier). The whistles, the chanting, the protests started early as the opposition supporters tried to close down the booth. I think it may have been a little unsettling for our fearless leader as she realised the situation. We were headed well away from there anyway, so all was well.... and then we caught the taxi from the market to the Muay Thai fight at the Channel 7 studios. And got caught in the traffic jams. As a result of the protests. Our leader was not amused. But frankly, the contra flow traffic was scarier than the thought of protests. I'll let Dermot expound on the fight(s) as it's really not my thing, but suffice to say, as in Aussie rules the Under 15s got a go too. It comforted me to hear that Paula has promised not to let any of us die or get sick before we build the houses!

The warm-up

A little more disturbing photographing junior Muay Thai than the U15s footy!

The evolution of democracy is an interesting thing. Apparently the opposition here believes that attempting to close down voting booths is a good thing. But if you're trying to win a democratic election wouldn't you hope that people overwhelmingly vote out the current government? But then, who am I? And what would I know?  Really.  One shouldn't allow one's own context to form judgements on another's. 

Abandoned tyre barricades and tents at a disused protest site

Razor wire inside the fence at an official building

Due to an horrendously long day on Friday with travel, starting from 4am and finishing at 2am Melbourne time due to a great blues band, we are pretty cool with the time-shift. Poor Paula is dealing with a 12-hr time-shift & a 60C temperature difference - the change from -30 in Ottawa to +30. Gosh, I don't think my body could cope nearly as well. 

We were talking about our orientation in Phnom Penh today. I am really not looking forward to that emotional journey before the build. I found the War Memorial in Canberra difficult, so I'm going to have to be steeled. Or at least ready for the emotional fall-out. I'm not even intellectually looking forward to it. Very apprehensive indeed.

I'm looking forward now to visiting the Monk's Bowl Village and Chinatown....  the next instalment!

By Susan