Thursday, May 20, 2010

Bangkok

Photo by: antwerpenR


After almost 7 months in Cambodia, Bangkok was a breath of fresh air when we first visited in April.  The live music, malls, cafes, restaurants, sky train, the food, it all seemed as the perfect blend of modernization and true localized flavor.  This was an astonishing contrast to our current home of Siem Reap, a mere 5 hours away by car.

People say that borders are imaginary lines.  That could be true; however, seeing the contrast between these 2 neighboring countries reminded me of how, through history and development, humans have made these borders real, and clearly visible.  In a few steps, as you cross the border from Thailand to Cambodia, you are faced with the differences.

About a month later we returned to Bangkok—2 weeks after the Red Shirts began their protests.  We continued to discover and enjoy the city; from Chinatown to the glitzy Thonglor—and its Belgium beer houses.  One day before leaving, grenades were fired at the Sala Daeng Station, the same day we were going to take that station to a sushi restaurant.  

Last Saturday we returned as political tensions rose.  Taking some common sense precautions (read: avoiding the protest zone as tempting as it was to get a photo op with the soldiers in the barricades) it was an enjoyable trip.  This time we left Wednesday early afternoon as a cloud of smoke erupted from the city—the result of the Army entering the Red-Shirts’ encampment and the looting/burning that ensued as protesters (and surely others) cased havoc throughout the city.  This conflict highlights the toll of this country’s development, where it seems no side is completely in the right, nor the wrong.  

Travel allowed me to see this, to try to make sense—and not so much—of history.  Today the city awakens in need of rebuilding in more than its burned buildings—thousands injured, many more out of a job as a result of the many hotel, bank, and shop closures.

I am looking forward to returning soon, hopefully in two weeks.  Please don’t avoid places in this or similar situations.  Take common sense with you, stay safe, but stay traveling.  

1 comment:

Andres Orta Castro said...

Back in Bangkok and everything seems to be, at least for the moment, back to normal.

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