The waterside community...
About 30 minutes is enough time to sweat it out with tourists at the Talin Chan market, time for a wander round and see what makes this community along the canal tick. Over the railway line and underneath the elevated highway to begin an exploration of a part of Bangkok far removed from its concrete jungles and metropolitan downtown. Concrete walkways above the marshland with a network of lanes leading off into some rather dark places. Sticking to the main route then trying not to upset the local hounds, tiptoeing my way towards a cluster of interestingly traditional looking properties.
Timber villas, small houses gives this place a nice traditional feel. houses, some several storeys high while others have seen better days and resemble little more than large sheds. clearly a poorer part of Bangkok - garbage control not the best I have to say. The occasional whiff of stale water mixes with the perfume of blooming bushes. The people here seem a little bemused at my interest in their community - I don't suppose too many tourists venture far from their well trodden paths. Time to move forward though as I seem to have upset a guard dog - and its on the loose!
Looks like a religious complex - temples encrusted with those jewel effect stones and ornate carvings suggest another place where monks hang out. A grand hall, rather noisy, seems to be a party going on. A few monks wandering around the place and plenty of food being prepared. Fish, herbs and various other bits and pieces being neatly prepared for the steamer. Good for a few photos, everyone is smiling. Perhaps if I hang around long enough!
Must be 200 people in this hall as I am beckoned in. Its an invitation to join in I think, yes it is as they find me a seat at a table with eight.middle aged Thai men. It's lunch time and all in honour of a brand new Monk, I am told. So, over lunch I am pretty much resigned to telling my life story - a small price to pay for this unique experience I would say!
And this is lunch with the locals...
About 30 minutes is enough time to sweat it out with tourists at the Talin Chan market, time for a wander round and see what makes this community along the canal tick. Over the railway line and underneath the elevated highway to begin an exploration of a part of Bangkok far removed from its concrete jungles and metropolitan downtown. Concrete walkways above the marshland with a network of lanes leading off into some rather dark places. Sticking to the main route then trying not to upset the local hounds, tiptoeing my way towards a cluster of interestingly traditional looking properties.
Timber villas, small houses gives this place a nice traditional feel. houses, some several storeys high while others have seen better days and resemble little more than large sheds. clearly a poorer part of Bangkok - garbage control not the best I have to say. The occasional whiff of stale water mixes with the perfume of blooming bushes. The people here seem a little bemused at my interest in their community - I don't suppose too many tourists venture far from their well trodden paths. Time to move forward though as I seem to have upset a guard dog - and its on the loose!
Looks like a religious complex - temples encrusted with those jewel effect stones and ornate carvings suggest another place where monks hang out. A grand hall, rather noisy, seems to be a party going on. A few monks wandering around the place and plenty of food being prepared. Fish, herbs and various other bits and pieces being neatly prepared for the steamer. Good for a few photos, everyone is smiling. Perhaps if I hang around long enough!
Must be 200 people in this hall as I am beckoned in. Its an invitation to join in I think, yes it is as they find me a seat at a table with eight.middle aged Thai men. It's lunch time and all in honour of a brand new Monk, I am told. So, over lunch I am pretty much resigned to telling my life story - a small price to pay for this unique experience I would say!
And this is lunch with the locals...
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| First Course - Succulent steamed fish |
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| Next Course -Tom Yam seafood |
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| Squid, Shrimp among others and sugared egg |
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| Next comes Seafood and Fried Rice |
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| Finally, Coconut sweet milk and fruit Jellies |
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| Add caption |
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| Whiskey 3.50 UK Pounds |
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