Where you go? Tuk, Tuk? These are the lines you hear as you walk down the street everyday and on every block. In ordinary shopping or housing areas, they are guys looking to make a living offering their services on bike or tuk tuk. In tourist areas such as I am going to today, most are running scams. I have read and heard about what to watch for. A tuk tuk driver will find out where you are going and offer to take you for a few baht. Very cheap, you think. Then, when you are in the tuk tuk he drives you all around town, stopping at jewelry stores, gem shops, tailor shops and other businesses where they pay him a few baht to bring customers. Eventually you get to where you wanted to go, but only after making several 'stops' along the way.

I just got off my bike ride and am walking around the area looking for the Wats and Palace I came to see . A Wat is a buddhist temple. I come to one and go in. It is large and I spend an hour or more walking around taking pictures. Once I'm done and on the way out I speak to a guy that is from Finland. He says this is not the Wat Pho I was looking for. He says this Wat is small compared to that one. Still, it was worth the time and very beautiful.

So far today I have taken a riverboat taxi and a motorbike taxi to get to where I'm at. It's hot and I have walked a long way already. I remember the tuk tuk scam and think maybe if I can get one to offer me a cheap ride to my next three sights I can let my feet rest. I know it will mean going to visit a few shops, but it will basically be a free sightseeing ride all around town. Why not? I have time and don't have to go to work.

Now, I walk a while and for the first time here I don't see a waiting tuk tuk. Figures. Always seems to work that way. Then, I see a tout (scammer) talking to a couple other people . He is offering directions to where they want to go. This is how they work. They see you walking, looking lost with a map and then offer some friendly help, before reeling you in. This time I want to reel him in.

I stop and he starts chatting with me. Then offers a 40b tuk tuk ride to the places I want to go. Bingo! I know I will make a few stops but I will get a free ride all around town. I came to see the city and have been wanting to ride in a tuk tuk, so why not?

We stop at a tourist info center, where I get a city map. Very useful. A 10 minute explanation of what trips they offer and a "no thanks" and we are on our way again.

The next stop we make is at a Wat with a large reclining Buddha. But, I don't think this is the big Reclining Buddha I want to see. That is at Wat Pho, close to the Grand Palace. It is, though, very pretty and I enjoy the visit.

The man at the Wat shows me around, explaining things of interest . He asks where I am from and I say Texas. He makes motions of riding a horse and shooting guns. Yes, everybody is a cowboy in Texas, I say. We walk around and look at the beautiful wat. He takes a picture of me standing next to the Buddha and then has me ring the gong three times for good luck, he says.

The tuk tuk waits for me at each stop. Next, is his stop. A tailor shop where they make nice hand made suits. Lots of people get suits while in Bangkok because it is very good workmanship and a fraction of what it would cost in the States. A $1000 suit can be hand made here for $200. I am interested in talking with the tailors, although I make it plain I am not going to buy today. I am backpacking around and my backpack is full and heavy enough. I do not buy, but I enjoy looking at all the work they do. I spend a little more time than required because I am interested in this seemingly high quality place and what they offer. But, I cannot buy. I am on a backpacking trip.

The wai is something you see the Thai people use every day . You press your palms together at the chest or nose level and bow your head slightly. It's an important part of Thai etiquette. It shows respect to people of higher rank. A student wai's a teacher, a citizen wai's a policeman, etc. It is can also be used to express a hello, thank you, or goodbye. That's the way I understand it, at least.

When you wai a Buddha image, it shows reverence.

As I have mentioned, there are altars to Buddha everywhere. As my driver drives me in Bangkok style driving, in and out of lanes and in-between lanes and cars, I hold on to my hat. It is like an amusement park ride but in real traffic. It is thrilling and sometimes nerve wracking. To add to the excitement every time we pass one of the alters he lets go of the steering with both hands and wai's the alter. This is while driving in bumper to bumper traffic at full speed. I'm saying a little prayer of my own, but not to Buddha!

Next stop is the Grand Palace. This is my last stop and time to pay the 40b ($1.34) to the driver.
I enjoyed my 2 hour ride around Bangkok. I saw parts of the city I might not have seen otherwise and got a fun ride, and now my feet are rested.