Exploring Bangkok by Joe Cardomone

Yesterday was a definitely a full day of exposure to the city of Bangkok. This was evidenced by both the fact that I was drowning in sweat by the end of the day and I never wanted to look at traffic again! The car-filled streets are more insane here then anywhere else I have ever been! However, all of the struggles were most definitely worth it.

We began the day with a tour of the Royal Palace in the morning. When we first arrived....I was in complete shock. I figured beforehand that the palace would be beautiful. Still, I was totally caught off guard by all of the attention to detail and intricacies of design that were obvious in every structure. Citizens of Bangkok and tourists alike were flooding the scene trying to snap pictures of this ornate location non-stop. Afterwards, we went to a center for Holistic Healing and learned about the practice of Thai message and how its basis of natural and spiritual healing ultimately make it a desired practice by many Thai's. We even got to receive one of these magnificent massages for a half-hour which was most excellent!

Afterwards we attended the weekend market. I allowed myself to be overwhelmed in this experience by everything there was to see and try. Even though the streets were crowded and hot...it was so hard to leave this place! Outside of all of the spectacles and foods...the market was a live and full of the Thai spirit I have come to know, in which everything feels as though it is a celebration. I feel that this was the main take-away lesson I received from the day. No matter how hot or tired or irritated one is-- we should always be celebrating. Why not? After all, one sad day, we will reach a point where our lives are severely limited and we will begin to wish for those hectic days we spent struggling to find our way through an unknown foreign city. :)