Christmas in the tropics

As a short summary of the activities on Christmas Eve, I have composed a rendition of the "12 Days of Christmas" for you all. Enjoy! Remember, this creative little biddy was composed after a long day while lying in bed after 3 Beer Chang!

The 12 Days of Christmas (Eve), Bangkok style

One the 12th day of Christmas Bangkok gave to me;
12 crazy tuk-tuks
11 t-shirt vendors
10 nak muays fighting
9 dogs a-barking
8 stunning wats
7 smelly khlongs
6 monks a-praying
5 Beer Chang!
4 pig part soups
3 stunning wats
2 sak yant tats,

And a rooster in a banana tree!!

Thank you, thank you, I know my lyrical abilities have stunned you all!! Grin!

Christmas Eve in Bangkok was actually not as strange as I thought it would be. This is only the 2nd time I have not been in Sudbury for Christmas in 33 years, and I'm not entirely sure there's anything wrong with that. I feel a bad that I'm not with my family for all the group fun and festivity, but it's not the holiday I miss. I did call home yesterday, and again today while everyone was over for Christmas Eve supper. They had turkey for supper: last night I had what can best be described as "pig part soup".

For my festivities, I spent the morning walking around this area randomly, through back sois and along the khlongs. I find this is the best way to explore my surroundings, and to discover the non-tourist areas. I got myself good and lost actually!! I finally hopped a taxi and went to MBK. For all intensive purposes, MBK is a 7 story mall. But a mall unlike any in Canada! It contains 7 floors of knock-offs, cheap electronics, rows upon rows of silk, coconut and teak products, and whole floors dedicated to furniture or food! It was a lot for a jet-lagged farang to deal with on the 2nd day in the city! I spent a few hours cruising around the various levels, completely mind-blown at the number of stalls, the number of people, and the obscene sayings/pictures on some of the t-shirts!! Although the best one I have seen is "Adidogs", a play on the "Addidas" logo, which I thought was hilarious. I might pick up one of those! I did buy a few silk pictures for framing and gifts, but otherwise did not buy any souvenirs. I'm attempting to leave that for the end of the trip so that I don't have to lug anything around for the next 4-5 weeks.

About 2 hours into my foray, I got side-tracked and fell into a massage parlour. One of the best ways to spoil yourself: spend 1.5 hours getting a massage, pedicure and manicure! It was incredible. The ladies taking care of me were amazing, and also got a kick out of my calves, and then, I think, frightened of the calluses on my feet (saying "muay thai" seemed to explain all!). The entire experience was amazing and incredibly relaxing. There is nothing like a foot massage after a full day of city trekking! And now I have pink toes (first time for everything) and clean feet! Well, for an hour anyway - the dirt from the city seems to get right through my shoes and turns my socks and feet a lovely shade of grey.

After MBK, I took a moped taxi (insert huge grin here! way too much fun) to Ratchadamnern Boxing Stadium and bought a ring-side ticket for the fights. Being there an hour early left me time to do some shopping at the Raja store attached to the stadium, and participate in the Thai tail-gating party outside the stadium. Dozens of people were sitting on small stools around open-air food carts, drinking beer and waiting for the fights to begin. I grabbed a seat, the only farang in the crowd, and ordered a bowl of what I can only best describe as "pig part soup". The lady cooking said "pork - do you want everything?", so, being open to eating anything, I said sure! I think (but don't quote me on this), the soup contain liver, kidney, uterus, tripe, and then just general pork. As well as chilies and bok choy. It was great!

I watched 8 fights in the stadium, starting with 2 fights of 15 and 17 year olds (no young kids, which I was grateful for). It was a great display, sometimes of technique, sometimes of shear ferocity and balls. 3 fighters were taken out of the ring on a stretcher (2 of them due to knees to the liver/abdomen), but most of the fights were decisions. Very few elbows, which surprised me. I made friends with one of the security guards standing at the gate near the red corner and chatted with him, in very broken English, about the talent, trying to decide who was the better fighter.

After 3 beer Chang and 8 fights, I decided it was time to drag my sorry, tired self back to the hotel for some sleep. I took a motorcycle taxi (no, I don't have a death wish! This form of transport is just way too much fun!) from the stadium to Khao San Road where I went in search of a late-night snack of mango and sticky rice. Yum! I think this is my new favorite food. Khao San Road is an all-night party. Maybe later in the week, when my body (and mind) has acclimatized, but last night, hanging out wasn't an option! Grabbing my sticky rice, I looked in a few shops, and headed home.

Merry Christmas!

Another day breaks, another breakfast of curry, and let the fun begin again!!

Okay, maybe after another cup of coffee and a Tylenol...