First thing first



Today, following doctor's orders to rest when you got a cold, I went visiting the local temples: the shopping malls. I must state that this idea was basically suicidal because today was a weekend day and tomorrow is a holiday (Father's day or King's birthday).

The malls are more Western than American malls. It is amazing, both ways. The MBK (Mall of Bangkok) is a huge place. Each floor (there are seven) is dedicated to a few subjects. Some floors have organized stores and some have sort of stalls, which create hundreds of "stores" in the floor. A bit claustrophobic. You need to use your navigation skills. Good thing I lived in, sorry, next to a mall for five years, so I'm quite an expert. Each American food chain has a store or two. Signs direct you to the food court on the fifth floor, but don't worry, there is one on almost every floor!

I went to the fourth floor to look for some electronics. It seems that the only electronic device people use in Bangkok is a cell phone. Tons of shops providing cellphones, cellphone accessories, memory cards for cellphones, everything! Basically it meant a long walk for me in search for other things. Bottom line: Nothing can compare to shopping on the Internet, even back home. I bought just one of the things I actually intended to buy, before my cold crippled me and forced me to go back.

Israeli stories told me to look for the VIP cinema in the MBK. I actually found it but it screened some horror movie. Casino Royale was on the regular cinema.

From there I went by a bridge to Siam Discovery Center and Siam Center. Both have the "mall" look I am used too.

I went to the malls half walking and half of the way by a local bus. It was a bit harder than Kathmandu to find street names. In Kathmandu a street name appears on every store sign. Here a street name appears at corners but, while walking, I could see only signs in Thai. Many people I met don't seem to know English too well. The bus service, on the other hand, was great. Going back took me about five minutes.

My nose is still running. It is easier and cheaper to find a beer here than a pot of tea. The small difference!