สวัสดี [sah-wah-dee-ha] - That’s hello in Thai!
We have been in Thailand for two days now! We were so excited (and well rested from all the sleep on our flight), we decided to explore the region of Bangkok we are staying in immediately upon arrival! We came across a few different shopping centers with elaborate entrances. Below is a photo of one of the entrances. At night, there was gas lanterns light all around this area, with music synced to the jumbo screens on the buildings.
For dinner of our first night in Thailand, we went dinner at a restaurant called Condoms & Cabbages. Upon entering we notice all the decor are in condoms, including the elephant, lamp, and mannnequins pictures. The gift shop even included all different souvenirs. We were told this restaurant has been here since the 70's, and assisted in bring safe and healthy sex awareness to the Thai people during the HIV & AIDS epidemic. They were successful on lowering HIV prevalence, and continue to promise safe and healthy sex. I tried many new foods at dinner, unfortunately I do not remember any of the names, but enjoyed them all. One of my favorites was the dessert Dr. Kreb ordered for us which was mango with sticky rice (warm sweet rice). After dinner, instead of mints, the server distributed a condom to each guest at the table.
Today we went to the Grand Palace, where the King used to reside. This building was unique as it had French architecture unlike other buildings amongst it. The future King will live in a palace 5 kilometers from this location. This building is now the royal guest house, and has house President Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth. We also saw the Jade Buddha which changes by season. We are currently in the end of the rain season, and it will switch to the winter season. There are three seasons total.
We walked the ground and saw elaborate temples. This photo below are display three temples with different architectures. The first on the left is a Sri Lanka style, the center is a Thailand style, and the final is a Cambodia style temple.
This guard pictured below protects the temples. We also saw this guard in the airport as a symbol of protection.
We also went to Wat Pho today. There was a giant Reclining Buddha. I couldn't believe it's size! Wat Pho had the original schools of Medicine & School of Thai Massage.
The Thai people loved their King who passed exactly one year ago. Yesterday was his cremation ceremony. There were flowers all over the town with the late King's photo. He was the ninth king and ruled for 47 years. He studied in Cambridge, MA and lived in Massachusetts before he became King. For one whole year the body is embalmed mummified) until the anniversary of his death, where they then hold a cremation ceremony. For the last month the Grand Palace & Jade Buddha were off limits to the public, and today was the first day they allowed visitors! We are so lucky, because it wasn't as crowded as it could be. The country is still mourning the death, as we were told to wear an all black outfit to the Grand Palace (royal grounds) and the Temple of the Jade Buddha.
ขอบคุณค่ะ [khob khun kha] - thank you in Thai,
Reesha
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