Heather's First Impressions

Today was our first day in Bangkok. We arrived in the middle of the night and it was wonderful to wake up this morning and see the city that had only existed on a map come to life. Our hotel sits on a bend of the Chao Phayra River whose river taxis and barges create their own life and activity that is completely different from the interior of the city.

My first impression of Bangkok is one of life...everything is happening, all at the same time...street vendors selling any kind of food, beautiful flower leis made from jasmine and the "love" flower, alters with incense and offerings next to skyscrapers, tuk tuks, taxi's and people playing soccer in a cloud of exhaust emanating from Bangkok's legendary traffic.

Our wonderful tour guide, Charin showed us on our first expedition to the Jim Thompson House (http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/). We learned how aspects of religion and culture are woven into daily life and architecture. For example, spirit houses are built before a house is constructed in order to appease the spirit that protects that piece of land. These are beautifully carved and hold fresh flowers as offerings. Another example is buildings built on platforms for the dual purpose of protecting inhabitants from snakes and scorpions while respecting mother earth.

Traditional Thai houses have raised doorjambs between rooms, once again illustrating belief and practicality. It is believed that bad spirits can only enter along the floor. Our guide told us that the ledges stop the bad spirits as well as scorpions, snakes and babies.

The gardens were wonderful, lush and jungle-like. Orchids abounded not only at Jim Thompson's but also along the street, hanging from parking garages and every space imaginable.

This is an amazing place to be, stay posted...tomorrow we will be visiting a floating market and an orchid farm.