The excitement and thrill of a first trip abroad has brought me a few sleepless nights. I gathered all information I could about Bangkok: I surfed the net, read travel books, and asked my friends who have been there. I was to go there with my colleagues for a three-day conference but we opted to stay for two weeks to do some sightseeing and shopping as well. To arrive at the airport at midnight might not seem to be a good start, but my friends were having so much fun that we were just laughing and joking around while queuing at the immigration. The highways were deserted, and we reached the hotel in a few minutes despite its distance from the airport. During the three-day conference, we were
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The excitement and thrill of a first trip abroad has brought me a few sleepless nights. I gathered all information I could about Bangkok: I surfed the net, read travel books, and asked my friends who have been there. I was to go there with my colleagues for a three-day conference but we opted to stay for two weeks to do some sightseeing and shopping as well.
To arrive at the airport at midnight might not seem to be a good start, but my friends were having so much fun that we were just laughing and joking around while queuing at the immigration. The highways were deserted, and we reached the hotel in a few minutes despite its distance from the airport. During the three-day conference, we were treated to a dinner on boat at the Chao Praya River. The view of the palace from the river just takes my breath away. The cool breeze of the wind gently touches my skin. It was a dining experience like no other.
The next day, we were given a field assignment to interview some Thai families in a slum area. Families huddle in a small local store and around a street vendor selling some toasted bugs and crickets. It's my first time to see such street food, despite the weird stuff I tried back home. The primary means of living of the people there were selling scraps from junk. When the conference was over, it was tour time for us. A Thai friend took us to the palace, temples, and MBK--a large mall popular for its bargain goods.
At night, we braved the night market situated at the heart of the red-light district. Shoppers haggling with shopkeepers while women luring foreigners to the girlie bars in the background is an ordinary sight in the streets of Patphong. Surely, Bangkok is one city bustling with shoppers, businessmen, and tourists welcoming them with open arms to its bosom. Wherever you go, you will be greeted by Thais who bow down to perform the customary 'wai'. Now, I understand why Thais are known to be peace-loving people. It is because Bangkok can still maintain its grace and splendor, even with its colorful stories hidden behind its humble, serene smile.
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