Hong Kong

We spent a day in Hong Kong.  What a fun city.  It was significantly cooler in Hong Kong than it has been in Bangkok.  M loved the cool temperatures.  I would have loved it if I had worn my sweater.  Fortunately, the day did become warm enough for me to enjoy it, sans sweater.  We spent quite a bit of time riding the subway, but we also got to ride the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor. 

A shot of Kowloon, taken from the Star Ferry.

Blurry Ferry in front of Hong Kong.  (I was on a moving Ferry, that's my excuse.)

Anything involving water is usually high on my list of fun.  Hong Kong has been reclaiming land on both sides of Victoria Harbor since the 1890's.  This practice has developed some opposition, especially by environmental groups in recent years.  If you are interested in reading more about the opposition, wikipedia has a good article about the opposing group, the Society for the Protection of the Harbour, here.  The ferry ride seems shorter than it was when we were here in past years.  Or maybe I was just taking too many photos.

Land being reclaimed (interesting word, isn't it?)

People getting off the ferry.

Any time I am surrounded by tall buildings, I spend a lot of time looking up.  I don't know why, but I love the way it feels.

There's more red in Hong Kong than in Bangkok.

 

I can't seem to get the formatting right with blogger AGAIN.  I must be doing something wrong.  My frustration is causing me to want to discontinue writing.  I just discovered my old blog posts from my visit in 2007.  If you want to read some of my posts from the last time I was in Hong Kong, you can find one of them here.  And another one here. 

Fun signs and flowers

 I fear that in my last post I didn't paint Bangkok in a very good light.  This is not a bad place!  It's just different.  There are plenty of things here that the desert doesn't have.  For one thing, food here is REALLY inexpensive.  M and I can eat in a sit down restaurant for under $3.00 total.  I am not talking about a burger and fries here.  A spicy plate of pad thai for M and a plate of stir fried noodles with chicken or shrimp for me, with drinks.  Spicy, yummy, and not something you could find in Joshua Tree.  Made to order, no less.  It's Good Eating, and the best part is that it involves no cooking or dishes on my part.  Those of you who know me well will understand how much I enjoy this. 

The humidity here is really nice for my skin and hair.  I rarely put lotion on here, and I think my skin looks at least 5 or 10 years younger with the moist air.  It has also rained several times since I have been here, and as a desert dweller, I have enjoyed the rain.  Then, there are the flowers.

This was my first time seeing the lotus flower in person.  These pink ladies were next to an Isuzu car dealership.

One thing about the Thai people that is refreshing is that they rarely raise their voices.  They speak softly and smile a lot.  If I make an effort to use one of the five words I know in Thai, their faces light up.  I read in a guide book that licking (as in eating food or licking your fingers) in public is taboo.  So now when I see I Thai person with an ice cream cone, I watch carefully.  So far, I have yet to see licking of any kind.  (I have also learned how to eat an ice cream cone without licking.)   You are also not to lick the stamps.  An image of the King is on the stamps, and it is disrespectful to lick the King's image.  To the Thai people, only animals lick things.

A restaurant downstairs from M's condo.

The same restaurant downstairs in M's condo.  We can't figure out if it's called "I'm Yummy" or "I'm Fine." 

 In the elevator during Songkran, these signs were reminding people to shut windows, turn off air conditioning, and unplug appliances.  Most of the time, the translations are accurate, but this one got lost in translation.

"please also close your doors and windows to prevent reins from leeking..."

We went to Hong Kong for a day and a couple of nights, so I will be sharing some images from Hong Kong next.   As ever, thank you for reading and for your comments!

The City

Differences between life in Joshua Tree and life in Bangkok:
1.  M's condo is on the 30th floor.  It's the top floor of the building, so we spend quite a lot of time on elevators. We also spend a good deal of time on escalators when riding public transportation.  Don't have either of those in Joshua Tree.
2.  My workouts have changed from running sandy, rocky desert trails with my dog to running on a treadmill in a small, steamy gym.  No air conditioning.  This was my first time EVER on a treadmill, that's how completely un-urban I am.  I spend most of the workout worrying that I am going to fall off the end of the machine.
3.  Bangkok has few parks for such a large city.  I have gone from bumpy dirt roads and lots of open space (Joshua Tree National Park is a 5 minute drive from our house) to concrete, subways, taxis and almost no open space.
4.  The view out of our window in the desert consists of creosote, cacti, desert creatures and mountains in the distance.  The view out of the window here is like this:

This was taken last week, during the holiday (Songkran)  Notice the lack of traffic.

There is one little patch of green with water directly out the window, which M has told me is inaccessible.  I stare at it longingly.

 5.  In Joshua Tree, all the faces at the post office and grocery store are familiar, and I know many of the names of the people who help me.  Here, all the faces are unfamiliar, and not only do I not know the names of the people, but it's unlikely that I could pronounce them, even if I did.  

6.  It took a 10-minute walk to the subway, a short subway ride, and a 15 minute walk to get to the post office today in Bangkok.   It only takes about 5 minutes in the car to get to the post office in Joshua Tree.

7.  There is a 7-11 right downstairs here.  Joshua Tree doesn't have a 7-11.  (although many of the things they sell in the 7-11 here are unrecognizable to me.  (oh, and you can get a bacon-wrapped hot dog at the 7-11 here.  Haven't tried it yet, but I have wondered about it...)

8.  In the desert, the sky is nearly always blue and clear, and at night you can see tons of stars.  Here in Bangkok, the sky is nearly always a hazy white from the humidity, and I have yet to see a star.  (Although part of that could be blamed on jet-lag, I suppose.)

9.  Going outside in Bangkok is an assault on the senses:  Noise (traffic, horns, whistles, people), Smells (exhaust, trash, the occasional sewer gas waft, smoke and food), and sights (cars, signs, buses, buildings, faces, telephone posts, shrines, stray dogs, overpasses, etc.)  It tires me.  I don't know if the desert has less impact on my senses, or if I am just used to the sights, smells and sounds.   I believe there is less of it all in the desert.

10.  This isn't a city vs. rural thing as much as a foreign country thing, but I am eating a LOT MORE RICE.  Oh, and food spiced with red peppers and basil.  Food that makes my mouth burn for about 10 minutes after the meal is finished.  (it's delicious.)

For some reason, blogger is being very disagreeable with formatting today, and I have decided to call it quits now.  I am sure more differences will occur to me as my time here lengthens.  For now, SAWA-DEE KA!

The Revelry Continues

Songkran in Bangkok, Day 2. 

Having gotten our feet (and everything else) wet the first day of Songkran, yesterday we decided to go where the real action was.  We took the subway down to Silom, a district in downtown Bangkok.  We made sure to wear clothes that could survive the water and talc, and we made sure all of our valuables were safely ensconced in a dry bag.

We started out on an overhead walkway, staying dry and getting the birds eye view. 

A table of talc - only 10 baht.

As you can see, you could get talc anywhere.

Weapons of Mass Soakation.

There is a point at which we asked ourselves, are we going to stand here on the sidelines and watch, or are we going to take the plunge.  We took the plunge.

It's hard to see where the water is coming from in the video, so I will explain that there were firemen with hoses, spraying the crowds.  We stayed on the far side of the street.  It's not like we needed help getting wet.

Here I am after we walked the street, soaked to the bone.  Notice the talc on the escalator.

Nothing was spared from water and talc, with the notable exception of the food vendors.  Somehow, the food seemed to be spared.  I consider that almost miraculous.

I think this wall was outside of a bank.

Even though the street was cordoned off, there were a few cars that slowly made their way through the crowds.  I don't know who was in them (wimps!).  Dignitaries?  But you can see that the cars were prime targets for talc and water. 

It was an atypical pleasant and non-humid day yesterday, so the buckets of ice water (and yes, ice) that were thrown were quite chilling.  We forgot to take photos of it, but the entrance to the subway was blocked by a gate, and women standing next to buckets of water. Everyone was handed a wet towel.  You had to pass inspection before entering. 

A big thanks to M for not only letting me use his camera, but also for providing many of the photos and videos on this post today.   I may get brave today and take the big camera down to the heart of the city.  But maybe not. 

Bangkok during Songkran

Songkran is the Thai New Year Celebration.  It is also known as the water festival, happening every year from April 13th through the 15th.  Being on the streets of Bangkok for the next few days means you are at a serious risk of having water sprayed at you from squirt guns, garden hoses, or even poured over you from a bucket.  Although plenty of local Thai people get wet, as a foreigner, one seems to be at much greater risk of coming home soaked.  Some Thai people will also be holding small containers of a scented, talc-like paste, which they will ever-so-gently smear on you, as a way to mark blessings.  Songkran traditionally is a religious holiday, and many Thais leave the city of Bangkok to visit family.  It is a time of cleansing and renewal, and a thorough house-cleaning is often part of the celebration.  A visit to a Wat, or Buddhist temple, is also part of the festivities.  The use of water was originally for washing the Buddha images of dust.  The water poured over the Buddha images was then collected and poured again over the hands of monks or the elderly as a sign of respect. In modern times, Songkran has turned into the world's largest water fight, and in certain parts of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, all-out mayhem with water ensues.

Not even taxis are immune from the smattering of talc and water.

Having known about this festival prior to leaving M's condo yesterday, we decided to avoid the areas where we had read the water throwing was most abundant.  Nevertheless, we did not manage to return from our walk dry.  Many local shops and restaurants are closed for this holiday, and the lack of cars on the usually-bustling streets is noteworthy.  Some resourceful street vendors were selling plastic bags, camera-sized, to put valuables in.  I did not dare take my expensive, beloved camera out, so all of the photos on this post were taken with M's tiny pocket camera.  I was glad for the blue plastic bag we bought.  It didn't take long before smiling Thais were happily squirting us with a garden hose.  Some of those sneaky little sprites were using ICE water, and even though April is typically the hottest month of the year, ice water always produces a shock when landing on warm skin. 

Talc everywhere.

The only safe form of transportation during these festivities seems to be the subway, since I saw taxis and open-air buses being drenched from the sidewalks and overhead walkways.  There are signs all over the entrance to the trains, reminding people that no water-spraying was allowed.  Indoor malls are also safe, but we were wet before ever making it to the safety of the mall.

A shrine covered with flowers and surrounded by burning incense and worshipers.

One of the many flower-vendors, as seen from an overhead walkway.

I had started the day with a shower and styled hair...

We were almost dry by the time our excursion had ended, but we were accosted at the last moment by a smiling man with a collection of water-filled buckets.  Without batting an eye, he carefully poured water from a bucket over our backs.  Near the entrance to M's building, one sweet little Thai woman apologized while smearing paste on our faces, and when she saw how wet our backs were, she laughed.  She was dry and very clean.

Today, we may brave the more populated areas, but this time I am going to wear goggles and a swim suit.

Roadrunner farewell

I have arrived in Bangkok.  Finally.  I have yet to take a single photograph, even though I have been here for two days.  Instead, I will share with you some photos of the roadrunner who came for a drink the day I left Joshua Tree.

The photos would probably be better, if I had gotten a chance to clean my windows, as I had planned.  Getting ready for travel is busy work, however.  I am here in Bangkok for the next couple of weeks.  Overjoyed to see M, who says hello.  I am devising ways to smuggle him home with me at the end of my visit.  It's enough to sit here in a chair and gaze at him.  WOW, did I miss him!!!

After sixteen hours in the car and then nearly 20 hours in airplanes and airports, I have decided to share my list of comparisons between these two forms of travel.  Likes and Dislikes.

Car travel:
1.  Car travel is nice because you can stop when your butt hurts, get out and walk around, breathing fresh air.  That's nice.

2.  You can bring a lot more more unnecessary items with you, and no one paws through them or charges you extra for the 5 heavy books.
3.  Your 75 pound dog can recline in the back seat and drool on the windows.
4.  It takes forever to get anywhere, but the views are nice.
5.  You can't sleep, unless you are the passenger.
6.  There are no movies to pass the time, and no free bags of pretzels.
7.  If someone farts, you can roll down the window.  (Not that I ever do that, but sometimes the dog does.)
8.  If you don't like the menu, you can drive a bit more and get a different one.
9.  You have to pay attention (as the driver.)
10.  It's not as loud as airplanes are.

Air travel:
1.  You can't take as much stuff with you.  (well, you can, but it's a hassle and not really worth it, IMHO.)
2.  For some inexplicable reason, walking fast on moving walkways is immensely entertaining.  (I will often walk the length of the terminal on moving walkways while waiting for my flight, it's THAT MUCH FUN.)
3.  The people watching is unbeatable!
4.  It takes a lot less time to get places.
5.  You can fly over oceans.
6.  If your butt gets sore, it's harder to walk around and relieve the pain.
7.  If someone farts, you can't roll down the window.
8.  Free pretzels and sodas.
9.  You can sleep.  (well, sometimes you can.  It's helpful to have earplugs, an eyeshade and an inflatable pillow.)
10.  Your 75 pound dog doesn't get to travel with you.

The journey was pretty uneventful, except for a catastrophe in a bathroom in Narita, Japan, when my passport went for a brief swim in the toilet.  (the toilet had been flushed, but still - ICK.)

I hope to have Bangkok photos soon.  Hello from Thailand, all you blog readers!

Blooming

Last night found me with Tina Bluefield, Mita Barter, Mary-Austin Klein, and Perry Hoffman at the Metro Galleries in Bakersfield, California.  It was the opening night for a group show called From the Desert to the Sea.  I was proud to have my work there, in this big, lovely gallery with the art of some of my artist colleagues from the high desert.  The opening was well attended, and we are always excited to see red dots go up next to our work.  It was a quick trip, up and back in one day, and I found myself crawling into bed at 1:30 am.  Needless to say, I am feeling more than a little zombie-like today.  A big thank you goes out to the owner of the gallery, Don Martin, and Sergio, the young man who helped get a red dot or two up on the wall.  Thanks, guys!

A few shots from the evening.

The crowd at Metro Galleries

My art, hanging upstairs in Metro Galleries.

Tina Bluefield and Don Martin in front of one of Tina's paintings.

I also have a few flower photos to share with you.  These flowers were discovered in a vacant lot in Palm Springs last week by my friend Nora and I.  We HAD to stop.

Desert Dandelion, sand verbena and Esteve's Pincushion.  Wow.

This week, Mr. Pono and I will be driving out to Denver, Colorado.  Pono will be staying with his Grandpa and Grandma while I get on a plane to fly to THAILAND.  Off to see the husband!!!  Stay tuned for adventures in Thailand, coming soon...