Road

 Hi,

The weather was very similar to Chiang Rai today.  It was hot and slightly humid, with a heavy cloud cover.  It didn’t look like it was going to rain, just bright gray.  

I’m surprised that only a few of you knew the ‘Easy Monday’ song.  I’m here in Bangkok and no one knows the song.

“__, Oriental setting and the city don’t know what the city is getting.  The creme de la creme of the chess world in a show with everything but Yul Brynner.  Time flies doesn’t seem a minute since the Tirolean Spa had the chess boys in it.  All change, don’t you know that when you play at this level, there’s no ordinary venue….__ __ __ __ and the world’s your oyster.  The bars are temples but the pearls ain’t free…”  Clue:  One city has been mentioned many times in this post.  It’s a key word, especially when you only have one night to solve this mystery.

Our first day in Bangkok (BKK) and we slept in.  What a treat.  We had toast and coffee and decided to go to the main boulevard and look for a place that served breakfast.  What we found was a lot of Japanese restaurants, tons of Thai food, and nothing with a western breakfast.  We ended up at a place called The Greyhound.  By that time is was lunchtime so that’s what we ate.  It was just enough fuel to send us out into the street in search of coffee.  We went to the local Starbuck’s and hung out.  

Out on the boulevard we saw this little coffee stand with the most unique name.

During this morning of walking around looking, there was a shadow following us.  That unknown factor of where and when the next demonstration would occur and would it interfere with the exhibit opening tonight.  Nobody knew, but everybody had a theory or thought.  Finally, around 4:25 we got the call that the exhibit opening was going to happen.  Other events were cancelled, but this one was a ‘go’.  The plan was for us to take the train to the end of the line and we’d be at the art center.  Khun Boonrad, James and Nita’s driver, took us to the train and we were on our way.  We got to the Bangkok Art and Culture Center just as they were introducing the artists for the group photo.  Lisa made it in time and we could breathe.  Our friend Lisa from Chiang Rai was there.  It was nice to see a friendly face.  A little support always helps.  The exhibit was small, but very interesting.  We also met two new friends that we were introduced to by a mutual friend in the States.  Lisa was the only non-Thai in the exhibit.  We got the evolution of the whole thing from Count Jerry, who was a major supporter and who invited Lisa to participate.  

When it was over we went next door to Siam Center, one of many department stores all in a row, and had dinner. We ended up at Sizzler and our friend Lisa told us she had tried the Beyond Burger.  I have been very interested in this idea so we ate there.  It was a one time thing, because of the high sodium content, but it was good.  Strolling back to the exit made me want to return to look some more.  We caught the train back to our station, took a taxi from there and got home safe and sound.  

Tomorrow we have a full day with no agenda.  Time to make a list of things we’d like to do on this rare visit to the big city.

Have a Happy Tuesday.       Don’t forget to wear your mask when you vote.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“If you don’t know where you

are going, any road will get you

there.”

~Lewis Carroll