3 Days in BKK: A Toe in the Green

I really loved being in Bangkok. The food is great - actually, we went to this italian place that oven-fired thin crust pizza - and they do it really well. plus fresh "rocket" salad (that's what arugula is called here!), yummy buffalo mozzarella ... did i mention, yum?

We stayed off of Sukhumvit Rd (at soi 10)... the thoroughfare above which the BTS runs...I love the SKY TRAIN (BTS)! the train is clean, fast, cool... there is an underground that intersects, and i must admit i've never been on it... there's usually enough to entertain us using this infrastructure (or a short motorbike ride away)... i suppose if i spent more time in BKK, i'd venture further... i didn't really go out much this round, both trying to get some reading done at night, and other than dad and mei, i don't know anybody in BKK! not that i can't go out by myself, but just haven't really been in the mood to be that brand of social...

Thai Reforestation Site Visit Replaces Laos Trip
So i did end up getting the Visas (my first official stamp on my new Uruguayan passport!) - but turns out that visit coincides with a site visit to a special project i've been studying up on. Through carbon emissions trading, this project will enable the thai government to fund their reforestation with investment money instead of a traditional loan. cutting edge stuff!!! Dad introduced me to the project lead today (he was out for the monks blessing) - and i was relieved to be well-received, and conversant enough not to look stupid. So this mission to gather specifics (costs, resources, etc) could be the most seamless integration into my first project that i could ask for... guess it was worth the wait. And that visa to Laos is good through mid april...

Alright, one little gripe: the sidewalks. Seriously ...

Vendors: either they're being taken up by vendors (food, clothes, stuff) - people have to walk in single file to squeeze by (barely, at that)... or you're forced on the street, at the mercy of crazy drivers and motorbikes (which are so fun to ride, but a little scary, the way they weave through traffic - but the breeze is awesome).

Now, every once in a while, there's a crackdown to clear the sidewalks, but really, that's their livelihood, so they end up losing revenue, have to pay some fine/permit - and two days later they're back on the street... so really, what's the point?

Cracks, the loose tiles, the dirty puddles, the ditches, and the holes you could lose a poodle to... between weaving through people and vendors, you gotta make sure your next step is on secure ground... and forget wearing high heels, pain is inevitable...

And now, a coastal interlude...
we got back to the coast this afternoon, where we'll be until we head back to BKK next tuesday. not much planned for the weekend, but doesn't mean it won't be busy. There's a fishing port and village about a mile up that i was hoping i could check out to take some cool photos...