Saturday Shenanigans

After one loooong week in Saimai, Saturday was definitely the time to cut loose and head on into the sprawling metropolis that is Bangkok! Now, there is another thing I need to admit...Bangkok is probably the ugliest city I have ever traveled to. I mean, Europe's historical charms are pretty hard to beat (my heart continues to patter daily for the chic sophistication of London), but even in my travels around Thailand, Bangkok still takes the cake when it comes to the award for "Least Attractive," (that could be an understatement). However, with its killer shopping and plethora of King murals, Bangkok retains a uniqueness all its own!

Thomas and I jaunted our way into Bangkok Saturday morning and started the day at Chitlada Palace in the northern part of Central Bangkok. The current residence of Big K (which Lauren and I have deemed the King when we need to talk about him out in a public setting), you cannot actually enter onto the palace grounds, but it was a lovely stroll around the perimeter gate, where you could sneak peeks of inside the lavish residence. Watch out for the guards though - they wield huge guns, and I am pretty sure they are not afraid to use them!

Next, Thomas thought up the grand idea of having a lovely lunch in Lumphini Park - Bangkok's equivalent of NYC's Central Park or Hyde Park in London. Although not nearly as pretty or pristine, we totally had fun bumming the afternoon away in the park, which is a total hip hang-out for all the Thais. The park almost made us feel like we weren't in Bangkok, which is nice after living in a foreign city for a number of months.

First, we stopped at the Gourmet Market in Siam Paragon mall to pick up our picnic essentials: snack-sized veggies, good nutty olive oil, a perfectly crusty French baguette, dried fruit, fresh fruit, yummy cheese, mixed nuts and most importantly, some serious 71% dark chocolate! No lie, this was definitely one of the better meals my stomach has had the pleasure of enjoying while in Bangkok!

One of the best parts of Lumphini Park has to be the daily aerobics classes! We had the utmost hilarity of watching hoards of Thai people get their heart rates up in the middle of the park. Men, women and children of all ages were joining the classes and bebopping to some funny music. We decided that there is no other option but to join in the fun...so next week, watch out for us at Lumphini Park aerobics!

Now it is Sunday, and I am totally jonesing to get out of Saimai again for the day. Even if its a trip to the grocery store, I will gladly take every opportunity to get out and about! Maybe a massage, maybe a grocery run, maybe a trip back into Bangkok...we will see where the day takes me! Until then, I hope this finds everybody happy and healthy, but most importantly, warm!