Bangkok was initially on water. Only temples and royal palaces were built on dry land. Ordinary houses floated in canals on thick bamboo rafts on canals and rivers. Warehouses and shops were moored to the river bank.

After WWII, and especially since the mid 1960's, Bangkok exploded in modernization . Most canals have been filled in and cheap apartments and building built in mass. The growth explosion ran away from sensible planning and today Bangkok has no obvious center.

I am still trying to figure out my location and direction in the city.

I went walking around Bangkok Friday night after arriving. People are everywhere and the traffic is bumper to bumper. Not only with autos, but bicycles, motorcycles and pedestrians. How do people keep from getting run over here? They weave between slow moving cars to get across the streets. I don't hear horns honking or any yelling from anyone in this Bangkok madness. They must be a patient people.

The sidewalk along the major street is wide. But, the merchants sit their carts up from the curb to about halfway across the walk. While walking you have to squeeze by someone coming the other way, or stop to let them by before going on . There is just everything on sale here on the sidewalks. Clothing, nic naks, sunglasses, adult items, home decorations, food, tools, kids toys.... I can't think of ANYTHING I have not seen. It is wonderful here, though a bit crazy to me. I love it.

My impression of the Thai people is that they are hard working. I see them selling goods from their carts from early morning to late night. They offer rides on motorbikes or bicycles or tuk tuks. All seem very calm and friendly ... in what seems to me chaos.

Also, lots of poor people here. Last night I saw people staying in the open building across the alley that is under construction. Some had makeshift lights but some were in the dark. I could see the outline of one woman washing clothes in a pail. This morning they are gone and the workers are back (it's Sunday).

Saturday morning around 9 a.m., I go walking around town to see more of it. I want to find my next hostel . I will move there on Monday. The streets here are called "Soi". I am on Soi 11 now and my next hostel is on Soi 1. I go up my Soi to Sukhumvit, the main cross street. It's a good walk and traffic on and off the sidewalks is very congested. I get offered Taxi and tuk tuk service as I walk, but I do not need them today. I am walking the streets, looking and taking pictures.

7-11's are on every couple of blocks. At home I am used to them being large convenient stores with gas pumps. Here they are just small stores wedged in amongst other store fronts. I buy a bottle of water. 7 baht. That's about 25 cents I think. The same bottle that costs 99 cents in the U.S., and I paid 25 baht to ride on the rail train (about 80 cents, I think). It was another 25 baht for the Sky Train. I guess I rode for a good hour on each.

I find my next hostel, look around town and am back in the room by noon. I want to go exchange some more money but am feeling really tired . I lay down for a few minutes and wake up at 8 p.m. Jet lag got me, I guess.

Included in this entry is a picture of the building next to my hostel that is under construction. I think I mentioned already that at night I see people staying there. I see them sweep, wash clothes and eat, all among the rubble of construction. They have very little light so sometimes I just see shadows. I guess no one minds them using the place at night. It's 4 stories, like the hostel.

A side note: I am writing these entries while offline. With the app I have for the iPad, I can write them and when I get internet connection they should upload for you to read automatically. This is a good option. I can write my journal entries anytime I choose, even without internet, and they are ready when I get connected. This way I don't have to get behind on my writing.

Also, I will see if my entries seem to be too long once I have them posted. If they are, I will try to start breaking them down into different entries. I don't want them to get too long or tedious for you to read. There is so much to write, though. But, It's hard to tell how they will look online with this app. Also, I may have posted double pictures or something.

The days are around 90-95 degrees (88 when we landed). The nights stay near 75-80. My room has air but I don't need it.

I am warm all the time ... and smiling .... in ... "The Land of Smiles".