Bangkok - as delightful the second time

This is a special place.

It is the rainy season so image it as hot as can be, as thick and steamy as it can be and then at some point all that moisture comes down - walls of water. The street in front of the hotel fills up - about knee deep. I had to wander on down the road to get on a call last night - so I can atest to the depth.

My power cord died for the laptop. That become one of the days adventures. I got sent to a huge mall that only deals in electronic related equipment - one huge and amazing place. I went from spot to spot with my dead Dell cord and got sent this way than that. Finally ended up in a corner on some level with a shop that was filled with mountains and mountains of plastic shopping bags full of stuff. We rummaged through bag after bag of power cords and finally the Dell showed up. He knew he had one and just kept asking me to be patient.

And then there was the hair cut adventure. I was wandering to the mall when a woman who worked at the hotel spotted me and wondered what I was doing. So we talked a bit and gave me some additional advice on where to get my hair cut. She also suggested I go to a government shop that was only open for another hour and just for today was open to non-retail buyers. So we got a discount on Thai crafts, silk, gems, etc. So I started wandering that direction.

As I wandered I came to another mall and thought I would check to see if they had a barber before I kept working my way to the government shop. Well another man stopped me and asked me what I was up to. He worked at the US Embassy and was on lunch. He suggested I go to this government store as well and I had to get moving. He took me down and got me in a little cart, negotiated the price and told me to tell them the Embassy sent me so I would get a greater discount. So I went!

And I did get back and got the hair cut - a ritual as well. It took 2 shampooings and 3 cuts to get the job completed on my bit of grey hair. I was there for an hour.

And then there was the front page news every day about the possible coup and violence. They were putting up additional security cameras all around the area where I stay.

Manila - Shopping, Eating and Praying

They maybe figured things out in Manila. Build the Catholic Church in the middle of the mall and have services non-stop all day on Sunday. Since the church is built more as an overhead pavilion you hear it from where ever you wander. Crowds gathered around all day and participated in each of the services - then got back to their shopping and eating.

Hot and steamy here. Rain storms off and on each day.

For those who remember the missing bag last week, it showed back up late Friday night in Madrid. No one wants to talk much about where it has been, but will sit in Madrid until I get back in that direction.

Hanoi - a walk around the neighborhood

I got in early on a Thursday. The road from the airport was full of bikes and motorbikes heading into the center city. Most were full of items to be sold - things ranging from live animals, eggs, sides of beef and fresh fruits and vegetables. We passed several fresh markets as well. Already busy at 6am.

Madrid - the flowering wall

This is a couple views of a wall on the side of a building that they grow blooming plants. It is near the entrance to a gallery/exhibition space. It changes everytime you walk by - a vertical flower garden.

Kiev Ukraine 2

Kiev Ukraine - Easy, comfortable and very green

I arrived late at night but still noticed all the trees and foilage as we drove into the City. The city is full of trees and parkland. A very comfortable and easy place to be and wander.
Due for my luggage to not show up. 24 hours later it still doesn't even have a track that it exists anywhere. I am hopeful that things will clear up on Monday with regular staff gets back on their shifts.

Edinburgh Scotland - a quick in and out

A long, long one day trip. Cool, windy yet mostly sunny. I always forget the UK always has a very grey and brown feel to it. The sun helps give it more life. The Scots are always friendly and chatting - seems like you know them all from the moment you hop off the plane.

Madrid - Rainy weekend...so time to hit the galleries

The galleries are always on my list to do. Some I have seen, others are ready when I am. It rained most of the weekend so took the opportunity to take in two of the three you must visit when in Madrid. I have already been to the Prado. Made for a good weekend and lots of new stimulation.

Madrid - May 1 the protest, May 2 the celebration

Madrid has both May 1 and 2 off as holidays. One is May day and a day of protesting by workers - processions and events in the streets and plazas. And May 2 they celebrate taking on the French 300 years ago and stopping them. There were celebrations everywhere. The plaza near the apartment became and all day and all night party - it extended about 4 blocks to the next plaza as well.

There were big concerts and depictions of 6 famous Goya paintings that commemorate the war. These were amazing productions - people hanging from cranes, big orchestras, etc.

And the weather totally cooperated - so a great long weekend to enjoy and catch up on the sleep.