On the 15 minute walk home from my favorite coffee shop on Silom I noticed that the air was much cooler and stars were actually visable in the night sky -- two very odd sensations in sweaty, polluted Bangkok. If this is what "Winter" in Bangkok means, I am really looking forward to the next few months.
The last few days have been mellow and relaxing. I have been spending most of my time hanging out and exploring the city with my friend Todd from San Francisco. Today we took the canal boat to the Mall Bangkapi and enjoyed the water park on the roof. The 100 baht (USD$2.50) annual pass for the water park that I bought in September was some of the best 2 bucks I have ever spent.
At the water park we ran into someone I recognized. (For such a big city, Bangkok often feels very small.) He was there with a friend, and after swimming and playing and relaxing at the water park (where again, everyone was so very friendly and chatty) our two new friends took us to a fantastic gormet Thai seafood restaurant on nearby Lad Prao Road. The food was delicious and we still got out of there only paying USD$5 a head for dinner, desert and beers.
After dinner Todd and I took a cab to my favorite coffee shop, had some coffee and read the Bangkok Post, and then I enjoyed the "cool and starry" night walk back to my apartment.
Winter here is rapidly approaching. It's cold and rainy. cold and rainy. cold and rainy. I'm sure you get the point. :-)
We are experiencing the in between, where I wish the temperature would just drop and the rain would turn into snow. Winter is much more enjoyable when there is snow falling and on the ground, compared to irritating with ice and water.
Your day/evening does indeed sound mellow and relaxing. One of my most memorable times growing up was when we would be driving home from eating out - probably Marchello's since it was the furthest away from home and one that we frequented - it would be a cool night, and I would roll down the window and let the cool air hit my face, no one would be talking, and the stars would be out. the solitude of that memory is beautiful. And it's something I learned to do from you!! :-)
Love you!!
Stuart,
Your journeys in Asia are getting more mysterious and enchanting...and to tell you the truth, exciting. I hope you get well and SF cant wait to see you.
By the way, I was in NYC last week and there is one word that could sum up my trip there:
Glorious!
Your loving friend always,
Dean