Post #3: Are We There Yet?

T.S. Eliot famously wrote that April is the cruelest month. But given his fondness for gin, my theory is that he was unwittingly off by one. March, by any standards, is a far meaner span of time – the Regina George of the East Coast winter months. Cold, icy, and over seasoned with rock salt, March is when my patience with winter evaporates along with the last vestiges of moisture in my body. So it was with a happy heart that my husband and I slipped off to Logan Airport on a recent Monday night to begin our travels in Southeast Asia. In true frenemy fashion, Boston waved a suspiciously sweet goodbye with mild temperatures and a gentle wind, offering hope that we will return to a kinder climate in April.

Tuesday was spent in the air hurtling through time zones and then on land roaming the Oz-like airport in Qatar. When we finally arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday morning, it was well before the sun – which felt a bit like arriving at a party before the host. But Thailand’s famous Mai Pen Rai (it’s not a worry) spirit quickly became apparent in the smiling faces we encountered as we navigated Suvarnabhumi Airport and loaded ourselves into a taxi. As we drew closer to the city, the skyline was lit by a soft pink sky, highlighting its vertical height and expansive breadth, far larger and more modern than expected. Our taxi was swept along in a bustling wave of cars, buses, tuk-tuks, and motorcycles, all competing for entrance to the waking City of Angels.

On first sight, Bangkok presents as a city marked by sharp contrasts. Megamalls and high-end fashion retailers are intertwined with local food markets and humble residential alleys lined with traditional wooden houses. It promises a feast of sights and sounds to explore in the days ahead. For now, arriving safely at our apartment after 30+ hours of travel is cause enough for celebration. A soft pillow is calling my weary head and further reflections on this colorful city will have to wait. G’night  - for now - from Bangkok.