Home Sweet (2nd) Home

Arriving in Bangkok feels a bit like coming home.  After the long flights and boring layovers, when I walk off the plane and the hot humid air hits me, I suddenly feel great!

I've been coming to SE Asia yearly for 12 years.  This is now the 7th trip that I will spend most of my time seeking out additions for the shelves of my little gift shop in Eastern Ontario. By my side is my husband (or I should say, I am by his side, since he has been coming to SE Asia every winter for 27years!) Can't wait to see what this year's adventure holds!

Our first meal is always at this tiny restaurant. I literally dream of the curry here when I'm at home!  This spot gives "hole in the wall" a good name.

The two lovely sisters here cook up curries and other delicious Thai food from around 4am to 2pm daily.  The place is packed almost anytime you arrive. You get chicken curry & vegetables on rice for less than a $1 Canadian.  Amazing!

One of the parts of Thai culture I find fascinating is that the Buddhist religion permeates into all aspects of their lives.  It's feels not so much like a religion (go to church on Sundays, try to be good...) more of a lifestyle.  Almost all businesses and homes have a shrine - here's the one at the restaurant, squeezed into a corner by the dish-pit, but still very dominant. You often see Thais making an offering to a shrine, or at least wai-ing (putting your palms together and bowing as a motion of respect).  Sometimes it gives you pause - the prostitute who stops when passing a temple to wai.  And then there's the taxi driver who while driving in the traditional reckless Asian city manor, takes both hands off the wheel to wai as we pass a temple. 
Oh, I LOVE being here!