Second day in Bangkok and a few experiences nearly made me angry with „those Thais“. Well, Lonely Planet can warn you only about so many things, but not about everything.
But then again, there were also quite some nice experiences with Thai people, so I guess the majority is quite OK and the rest also only tries to survive somehow.
The days highlights: Wat Pho, What Phra Kaew and a soaking Thunderstorm in the dry season. Evening as „usual“ at Kao San.
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Breakfast a mixture of Thai and European: Rice, meat, vegetables, toast and jam, fruits, ham and eggs… I had plenty and then headed for the first temple, in Thai „Wat“. On the way an elderly woman at a market, suddenly popping some small plastic bags with corn into my arms. I don`t want them, but she doesn`t take them back. I ask the price, she says ‚NO NO“, feed the birds. I think OK and feed the birds. I STUPIDO FEED 6 BAGS! Overall, it turned out to cost 300 baht (50 each) and for „negotiation“ she immediately received support from some other women there. Man, I was loaded about her and myself, not having realised that scheme!
But I did better, when suddenly this guy walking the same way as I addressed me, introduced himself as a Ministry employee and tried to convince me to see some other temple, because Wat Pho today is only open for Buddhists. And by the way, I also could pay a visit to „Thai Factory“ where I can buy cheap suits. Hey man, that was it.
Well, then it was my part to learn again: At the temple I finally decided to take a guide after having listened to another couple that had a real good guide, explaining everything. And what did I get? A guy with louse English, dragging me through the compound after telling me, today there are no German speaking guides and he speaks English. Guess, whom we met 10 minutes later? A group being led by a german speaking guide! As compensation my guide tried to sell me to a fortune teller, a monk who would give me his blessings, a massage salon, a Tuk-Tuk driver, a waterseller and he also wanted some extra money additionally to the agreed price!
After that, it was only two more guys trying the same stuff 😉
But the nice experiences were there as well: A Thai travel agent, who was just talking we a Dane and me while we where standing protected from the rain, that set in in the meantime. Or the girls at the bookstore, who REALLY tried to explain, where I could find the bus back to the hotel. Or the employee at the Temple, I borrowed the audioguide from. She studied english as a translator and would also pick up German, so we had a nice talk while it still rained.
Finally, I made my way back to the hotel through the rain. Warm weather, warm water. I was soaking wet, but the shoes kept dry – long live Goretex!
In the evening I just headed for a place across the street, met a Bavarian there who wants to set up a new business and cooperate with an NGO, so asked for my advice. Seemed to be a nice guy.
Finally with one beer to many, I headed to bed.