Beauty in Bangkok

Well my opinion of the city is much the same, but I had some adventures with my friends yesterday that helps dull the negatives about this city. First, we learned that very few places have free wifi around here so I am only online for a little bit here and there. We learned to always make sure the meter is running on the taxi and that dashes are important in street names. We learned that taxis can be hot pink, blue, or yellow and that if you bow to the taxi as it pulls up, it will leave. We also learned there is a pizza hut here but we did not notice it except on our way back to the hotel. Oh, and Bangkok loves steps even more than the rest of Thailand.

Now, the biggest excitement yesterday was the concert. We got white TTC Polo's and were initially told we were going to usher (gotta love surprises here) but eventually that duty was taken by someone else. We mingled a little bit with the puyiah and answered the same questions we have been answering since we got to Thailand. But then we got to sit in the very front row for a Stanford Chamber Chorale and Katai (something like that but Japanese drums). The theater was beautiful and gave me the same feeling I get when I walk into the Grande Opera House. Except this place had 3D figures of gods, war scenes, celebrations and more coming out and adorning the walls with shimmering gold. I stared at the decorations for a good 20 minutes and still did not comprehend it all.

Then the music started. Amazing choices from Welsh songs, American folktales to a song written by old Thai royalty. I felt mesmerized, almost like I was transported to a tiny child sitting cross-legged on the floor of this giant theater being surrounded by beautiful architecture, art an music that messaged your soul. Then the drumming came and put us in peals of laughter. I love it when someone on stage has talent and is not afraid to show everyone just what a good time they re having doing something they love. I was very, very happy. Most of the teachers went out afterwards to hang out with these Americans, though I had to stay in because I overdid it a little bit yesterday, walking around.

Oh and one final thing. We all sat around and were read The Princess and the Goblin, first few chapter, just like a bedtime story. And today we get to see the concert again. :-)