The Curry Capital

Bangkok was an easy, modern and clean introduction to Thailand - and a world away from India. Although touristy and not what we imagined ourselves enjoying, the city is filled with delicious restaurants and street side fruit vendors. So, we've been on a Thai food holiday the past few days, often eating five small meals a day to sample everything, which works out to be less than ten dollars. We are happy to report that the Thai food we've eaten in Chicago is fairly authentic compared to experiences thus far.

The hot and humid weather makes for a sweaty day, but we've managed to see the sights. The Grand Palace, a religious site comparable to the Vatican, is Thailand's most holy Buddhist sight, which is home to the emerald Buddha (carved out of a single piece of jade). It is a complex of holy buildings with green and red riled roofs and gilded gold spires. We also saw the largest teak building in the world, built as a palace for Rama V over a hundred years ago. We've seen all sorts of markets - orchid markets, food markets, clothing markets, all overwhelming but full of character.

Although the Red Shirt protesters were in the city demanding democracy, it didn't affect us in our area, but we could hear the loud speakers blaring over the city throughout the night. By the time we left, there was no violence, they had just blockaded several major intersections, but the threats seem to be escalating.

Our second hotel had a delicious restaurant and three baby kittens, which had their own table, and served as great entertainment. Our balcony overlooked the city, the skyline of tall skyscrapers was mixed with wispy temple roofs and golden spires. Our first hotel was on the party street, Khao San, something between spring break in Mexico and Bourbon Street (not our scene), but our rooftop pool made it worthwhile and came complete with topless Swedish girls.

We are ready to move on but sad to leave Thai food and the ease of Bangkok. We are off to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious site. Our bank accounts will be happy to leave Bangkok as well!