Sheetal Makhan

Day 2: Wednesday, December 30 2009

I'm sure I'd find an Indian restaurant, so after walking around for a while, I come across Himali Cha Cha. The menu seems fine and it looks clean and neat inside. There is no one else in the restaurant.

I order an Aloo (potato) Parantha. The waitress is hovering around my table. We start talking. She tells me that she's from Nepal and she is surprised that I'm in Bangkok alone. With a very serious and concerned face she says, "Please...be very careful. Bangkok no good for alone woman." I appreciate her concern. She is sweet-looking and is probably in her mid-20s. We small-talk for a while before I pay and head out.

Bangkok (12) Beware of Cheating Drivers

Bangkok (10) Sukhumvit Road

Bangkok (11) Himali Cha Cha

Day 2: Wednesday, December 30 2009

I decide to head over to Sukhumvit Road which is known for its shopping centers, restaurants and tourist attractions. I'm not even going to attempt taking a Sky Train or even a tuk-tuk. I will use a cab all the way. It just feels safer to me. I approach a pink cab and ask the driver through the passenger window if he can please take me to Sukhumvit Road. He doesn't understand me, so I show him a map. He rolls the window up and waves his hands around as if to say, "Woman, I don't know what the hell you're saying."

I walk on. Tuk-tuk drivers are lined up on the curb and every second man asks me where I want to go. I ask another cab driver. "Sukhumvit Road". Perhaps I'm not pronouncing it properly, which is why I have a map with me. Same thing. He doesn't want me to get into the car.

I start huffing and puffing. What the hell?

Finally, a driver understands me and off we go.
"Sukhumvit where?" he asks.

"Um, I don't know," I say.
"Sukhumvit Road very long road," he saya looking at me through his rear view mirror.
"I want Indian restaurant...do you know any?" I ask hopefully and also grateful that he can speak English.
He nods his head.

He drops me off somewhere and points to a blue sign saying that it's an Indian restaurant. He also tells me that I should first walk around a bit before going to that one. I do that. It's frightening walking along the pavement. Cars are almost touching the curb. That's how congested it is. There are also a lot of alley's that look very dodgy, so I don't venture near them. I assume the "naughty massage rooms" are here.

I find this restaurant, but it looks very dark and dingy with no one inside.

I don't eat there!

I find a Starbucks and settle down with an Iced Cherry Mocha.

I'm bummed to know that they charge to use their Wi-Fi..

...I really miss Korea, because Wi-Fi is free at Starbucks :-)

Bangkok (9) Central World

Bangkok (4) The drive to the hotel
Bangkok (5) P2 Boutique Hotel
Bangkok (6) The Family from SA
Bangkok (7) Breakfast on Wed morning
Bangkok (8) Pratunam, Scooters & Tuk-Tuks

Day 2: Wednesday, December 30 2009

When I travel to a new country, I don't care much for shopping malls. In fact, I don't care much for shopping malls at all, but I think I've changed my mind after this trip. The minute I step into Central World, I feel safe. Safe from traffic. Safe from scooters. Safe from pushy tuk-tuk drivers. Some places aren't open yet, but I walk around anyway.

I don't go into any stores - I have no intention of buying anything and nothing is appealing from the store windows. I do, however go into a music/DVD store. I was expecting to perhaps pick up even a DVD, but I didn't. I just continue going up the escalator looking for a cafe or restaurant to have lunch or a snack.

I'm keen on having Indian food, and I see the advert for this restaurant in several different locations, but I never find the restaurant itself! I can't decide whether I want Italian or a simple sandwich or just settle for my regular Cafe Mocha at Starbucks.

I eventually find this cafe which seems reasonable...and they have free Wi-Fi! So I go in. They seat me, and after a while I decide on a crepe which is not good at all. I'm catching up on Twitter and trying to figure out where I'm headed to next. I pull out my map and try to locate myself and my next destination. The restaurant is practically empty when a waiter comes to my table with the bill.

"Do I have to pay now?" I ask. He says "Yes", and I take that as my cue to get the hell out of there. I'm not even asked if I wanted to order anything else. I'm not impressed.

Bangkok (10) Sukhumvit Road

Bangkok (8) Pratunam, Scooters & Tuk Tuks

Bangkok (4) The drive to the hotel
Bangkok (5) P2 Boutique Hotel
Bangkok (6) The Family from SA
Bangkok (7) Breakfast on Wed morning

Of course, everything looks different in the morning than it did the previous night. The minute I step out of my hotel, I have be 100% aware of everything and everyone around me. As I take the corner at my hotel to walk down the street, I notice a number of little alley's and children running around (some barefoot). The pavements are cracked and I have to be careful of how and where I'm walking. I can be quite clumsy otherwise!

I suddenly feel like I'm back in Manila (Philippines). The buildings seem run down and there are people selling things everywhere.

I become very aware of the noise pollution around me. There are scooters EVERYWHERE shooting past in every possible direction. A tuk-tuk driver stops to ask if he can give me a ride. I ask him where Central World (Shopping Mall) was. He says he will take me around on a tour for an hour because Central World isn't open yet. No, thanks!

I finally reach what looks like a shopping arcade, Pratunam Center. A man who says he works in the center suggests I rather go back up the street to the "Morning Market" because no places are open at the moment (around 10:30am). I still go inside Pratunam Center and walk around as shopkeepers are opening their stores and getting ready for their day. Outside, there are people praying to various Buddha statues that are scattered around the city.

I ask a lady for directions to Central World. Luckily, she speaks English and points in the direction I should be walking. I tell her I'm from Korea when she asks where I'm from.

Only thing - I have to cross the street first. I join a big group of people who are waiting to cross as well. This is when I start to become afraid of the traffic and aggressive motorists. About two minutes later, safely on the other side, a man is selling sunglasses so I buy a pair (I forgot mine at home).

After crossing a bridge, I see Central World.

Bangkok (9) Central World

Bangkok (7) Breakfast on Wed Morning

Bangkok (4) The drive to the hotel
Bangkok (5) P2 Boutique Hotel
Bangkok (6) The Family from SA

Day 2: Wednesday, December 30 2009

I have breakfast with the SA family.They are really nice and I have a good conversation with the dad who's traveled the world on business. I don't eat much, except for watermelon. There is no cereal - just some rice porridge and rice and other things which I'm not used to eating for breakfast.

They tell me about some Indian restaurant they had dinner at. It's at a mall which is apparently 'round the corner from the hotel. I decide to just walk around on my own and do some exploring and familiarize myself with the area I'll be staying in for the next few days.

Bangkok (8) Pratunam, Scooters & Tuk-Tuks

Bangkok (6) The Family from South Africa