|
In BBK this spring to see my dentist (Dental Hospital 4 star place) I was at the weekend market and was stopped by a guy who asked where I was from etc. His sister was going to be going to Seattle. Mom is worried. Would I come to house and visit and talk about Seattle. I was on no schedule. Didn't have anything of great value with me and a vivid curiosity. We get in a cab and drive off into a neighborhood of quite nice houses. I keep getting out my Nancy map and asking him to tell me where we are but no luck.
Pull up in front of a nice house and go inside. I'm struck right away that there is nothing on the walls! Having been in a Thai home this tells me right away something is no right. I am told "we just painted"
The deal ends up sitting around a card table and being told how we can take the house on a cruise ship (ever see a cruise ship in BBK?) after awhile I tell them this is not for me. Thanks for the drink. Take me back to the weekend market. They call a cab and back I go with the fisherman who caught me. I walk away as he keeps asking for money to buy blood for his mom who is in the hospital.
Nothing bad just a story.
All who suggest you don't listen to anyone who comes up to you and speaks good English and suggest you go look for jewels and clothes at their special place. Unless you have lots of time and don't mind getting driven around the back roads downtown.
Ask the cab to use the meter. I don't think I have only had to do this once.
One time I got in a cab at the hotel and wanted to visit a custom guitar shop. Had an address and phone number. Cab driver couldn't find it and boy did he try. We stopped and asked all over when we thought we were close. I even called back to the hotel and had them call the place and check number. Nothing worked but I had a very nice couple hours seeing parts of Bangkok I would not normally get to. Hardest part of the trip was telling the driver "Don't worry it is ok" I think he was real worried he wouldn't get paid. I think it ended up being like a 380 bt trip but well worth it.
I really enjoy my time in Thailand.
JTG
|