Visiting the Mall Bangkapi by the Saen Saep Canal Boat
Posted by Stuart at 01:18 PM on September 16, 2002
Yesterday I was feeling adventurous (maybe my illness is over now) and so I played tourist. First I visted the Jim Thompson House. Mr. Thompson is credited with reviving the Thai silk industry. His house is a beautiful example of traditional Thai archetecture with Western touches.
Then I took the canal boat to an area called Bangkapi. My American friend Steiner told me that there was a swimming pool at the mall there. Well, the swimming pool turned out to be a big water park on the roof of the mall. I had a great time doing a few laps, floating in the Lazy River, and riding a few water slides. I met many Thai people here. Everyone was excited to practice their English with me and so they were all very chatty.
I finally left and rode the bus back home, utilizing the new bus map that I had purchaced earlier that day. It was my first bus ride and I have to say it was a good experience... a 45 minute ride door-to-door for 5 baht (about 12 cents).
The language in Thailand is Thai. It is a tonal language, meaning that the way you say the word (high, regular, low, rising, falling) changes the meaning of the word. That makes it very tricky for non-tonal language people like me.
I learn words by asking people "What do you call this?" or "How do you say this in Thai?"
The Thai language also has it's own letters. I think it looks really cool, so I am trying to learn how to read and write too. For that I am using a Thai Language textbook.
It's going slowly, but I am definitely picking it up here and there.
Well to all you Survivor fans.. the THAI version of Survivor kicked off tonight on TV. That means if you want to sample what its like being dumped off on an island in Thailand watch ABC 7pm on Thursdays! I know now what they eat, how far they have to walk to get water, and who got voted off the island. But geez Stuart.. I didn't see you at all! Did you get voted off before the show even started??
later
THE survivor fan
I forgot that the Survivor Thailand was coming up. There hasn't been any media attention about it here. At least I haven't seen any.
I guess I will have to keep up through the official Survivor website.
Thanks for keeping me up to date on the many changes in Thailand. You are practically an "old timer" now. Ankor Wat was the greatest travel experience I've had in my 84 years which is why I am at this site today. We think we are doing such great things in architecture today - look at what they were doing two thousand years ago!!
What language is spoken in Thailand? And how are you learning the new language?
Gloomy day here in Middle Tennessee, so I decided to wear YELLOW!!! :-) No, I don't know what made me think about that.
Keep us posted with the job search!
Love you!