Amazing China Town
Bangkok, 4th April 2002
Yesterday, I applied for my 30 day Lao visa. It takes 24 hours to
process, so I've got to hang around until it's done. It usually
takes 3 working days, but if you pay a bit more, you can have it the
next day. Actually, because it's Thursday, the normal application
would take 5 days because of the weekend, which is a bit excessive!
I spent most of the day strolling through Chinatown, a vibrant and
colourful area of Bangkok. I took the express boat from Baglamphu to
the stop nearest Chinatown, then grabbed a Tuk-Tuk to take me into
Chinatown. Damned Tuk-Tuk drivers! They're more hassle than they're
worth! The guy was going to charge me 100B (too much), I wasn't
going to pay more than 40B. He agreed to my price IF I went to a
shop for him and had a look for 5 minutes (so he could get a fuel
coupon). Hmm, I've been here before. So, I ended up inside yet
another Tailor shop, but this guy was a pro & clearly knew I wasn't
going to buy anything, and after 2 minutes, he gave me his card then
literally pushed me out of the door! Ok then! The Tuk-Tuk driver
then took me to a temple, which I assumed to be the temple I wanted
at the corner of China Town, but I soon worked out that this was a
different temple that he wanted me to have a look around for a while
then we'd go to China Town. He's obviously going to get something
out of it. He didn't speak much English, and I had a hard job
telling him I didn't want to look at this temple, I wanted to get to
Chinatown! Eventually, after I sat resolutely in the Tuk-Tuk, arms
crossed, saying "Chinatown, NOW", he got the message, and, not soon
enough, we got there.
Chinatown is quite amazing here, possibly the best Chinatown I've
been to. Basically it's made of a few criss-crossing, very narrow
streets. The vendors wares spill out of the shop and onto the narrow
road, making the whole placed cramped & packed, which makes it
really atmospheric! The hustle & bustle, the colourful goods, the
shouting vendors, all make an exhilarating experience.
I passed a blind man, who was holding a cup (for money) and carrying
a small stereo & microphone, and he was singing with an amazing
voice! That is some good busking, blind buskers with amazing voices
seem to be common round here, this isn't the first I've seen. I was
really impressed, so I gave him a bit of money. Moments later, an
old, dirty beggar, shoved his horribly, deformed hands at me, I
looked away and walked round him. I only ever give to
beggars/buskers who are doing something, like playing instruments,
telling jokes, drawing etc, not those who just sit or stand there,
hoping that money will come their way.
After Chinatown, I headed back to Baglumphu and chilled on Khao
Sahn Road for the evening. It's true that you could just stay here
for your whole time in Bangkok, it's got everything you need! Food,
drink, souvenirs, 7-11 stores, movies and more! It's a busy place
that's always packed with vendors and backpackers. It's a
love-it-or-hate-it kind of place, and I really love it!
The evening soon passed, and I got all my things packed away to move
on tomorrow. My Lao visa was sorted with no problems, so I'm moving
onwards & Northwards
Next Diary Entry >>
|
