Banging on Bongos

View from Nadia's Place
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Because I was tired and Nadia was late getting back from the beach, we did not hang out for my birthday. She has a sweet place in the swanky area of Bangkok, and she is an excellent hostess. Not only did she give me a couch to crash on, but she also directed me to the correct places to get my cell phone working and vaccinations taken. In this process I learned to use the Skytrain and became more acquainted with the city. Her presence is especially comforting when I am visiting an area unlike any other I have traveled to. Talk about taking some of the shock out of culture shock! Thanks Nadia!

Buddha's Head in Bodhi Tree at Wat Mahathat
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It is true that the medical system in Bangkok is superb and cheap. When I received my first shot for the Japanese Encephalitis vaccination, the nurse showed me the unopened vaccination and a clean needle. It matched the vaccination that my nurse in the States showed me. The shot cost $44 US here and $600 US in the States. Who needs insurance when you have Bangkok? I have to come back to the city in 1-2 weeks for the second shot. That means it is time to keep on movin'.

Ayutthaya is a 1.5 hour bus ride for $1.50 US. For four centuries it was the capital of Siam (roughly pieces of Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia today) until 1767 when it was sacked by the Burmese. At this time the capital was moved to Bangkok, Thailand. Ayutthaya is known as "The Old City" and ruins of palaces and temples can be seen here. I arrived on Wednesday night and had green curry at Tony's Place (not an Italian place). Bex a sweet English lady invited me to join her and Pete (also English) as they too are lone travelers. Nice to have dinner conversation. The next night at the Street Lamp restaurant/bar/hostel Lek Clapton was playing an acoustic set. Lek is a Thai man that plays, believe it or not, Eric Clapton tunes as well as other covers. He also has some Thai originals and is quite good. I met Pete and a German couple there for a couple of drinks. A set of os on a stand mysteriously appeared on stage without a musician. With some encouragement from my new acquaintances, I took the stage and started playing. Lek and two other singers/guitarists rotated throughout the night and none of them would allow me to return to my table! So I played to a mixed audience of Thai and farang (tourists). I am beginning to think I can call myself a drummer! What an excellent night!

Wat Rajaburana
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Being in a band can take a toll on you with all the staying up late and hurting palms, so I napped on the restaurant floor most of the next day! (Parent like figures..it is not as bad as it sounds! It is typical for you to be served a meal while reclining, watching TV, reading, or in my case sleeping in the restaurant "living area". The "chairs" are actually pillows on the floor.)

Because I have a date with Nadia this Friday night and cannot leave Ayutthaya without seeing some of the sights, I went to Wat (Temple) Rajaburana and Wat (Temple) Mahathat. Wat Rajaburna was erected n 1424 by King Chao Sam Phraya. Lonely Planet says, "Legend has it that the king's two oldest brothers both coveted the throne and killed each other in a heated duel, allowing him to ascend to the throne. To commemorate (or perhaps celebrate) his brothers' s, he built the temple on the site of their cremation." Wat Mahathat was a royal monastery built in 1374 and was restored many times.

Now I am heading back to Bangkok to throw down with Nadia!