Bangkok - Day 2

So our pledge was to be honest in this blog - so with that said, in the last 24 hours we have experienced a lot (including getting pickpocketed)! Some of what we experienced, we would have rather not seen or have been part of; however, it does give you a great appreciation for the US.

Last night, with the recommendation of our tour guide, we ventured down to the Phad Pong area, which was supposed to be the bar/club area. Instead this areas was home to hundreds of young girls selling themselves. Some had prices around their necks, while others carried posters with girls faces on them so you could choose who you wanted. They hid their real jobs by offering you to come in for a "show." I figure they wanted to show us more than just their dancing skills. The most unfortunate part of this is that many of the men were white Americans/Westerners. You saw very few Asian men with these young girls.

There were also a lot of handicapped people here that cannot work because they don't have working hands. We saw many homeless people crawling on the street because their legs were too tangles to stand up. Even children seemed to be left with no family roaming the streets for money and food.

This morning we took the Sky Train to Moi Ching for the weekend market. The weekend market in Bangkok is the largest outdoor market in the WORLD! It was really neat and had a ton of great bargains. I got a few dresses for $10 each! Jeff was scooping up tees for $7!

Many of the bargains also included all kinds of local street food - deep fried grasshoppers, deep fried baby birds (with beaks, eyes, included), pan fried larva, etc...GROSS! Ummmm yummy - take a look they are a big seller here! Only 10 Baht (roughly $.30)

Unfortunately, we got lost and ended up in the animal section of the market. Puppies upon puppies were in cages without water or food being sold for $20, pet squirrels on leashes (string tied around their necks), bunnies in clothing, baby owls, parrots, ducks, snakes, lizards, fish, hampsters, mice, and other animals for sale (for what we don't know).

While some of the things we saw in the last 24 hours were very upsetting, we understand that we are here to see and experience the culture. After experiencng this we are thankful for ours! I guess when you travel you have to expect to see all types of things...some that are good/some that are bad.

We actually really love Bangkok, we think it is actually more interesting that Hong Kong. However, you need time here to know where to go and what to see. It is a beautiful city full of great history, religous temples, tons of fresh flowers and fruit, great bargains and shopping, and generally very friendly people. We would definitely come again, just be more wise about were we venture off to.

We are off to Bali tomorrow morning. We are very excited to finally sit on the beach and have a cocktail! Almost 7 days in Bali - spa, beach, pool, good food...a great change from Bangkok! We are staying in Jimbarin Bay, so no worries about mudslides or downpours here. The forecast has been 83 degrees and sunny, so cross your fingers that it stays that way!

P.S - we're determined to find a way to ship back 100's of these puppies! I almost bought a few today to save them. There were a ton of Jackie and Jorgies! Probably being sold after being only 2 weeks old. Here's one they were trying to get us to buy for $25. When we asked to hold this little guy, the woman ripped him out by his legs and he started crying.....we wanted to bring him home with us!!! Who doesn't need 3 dogs to love???? And CHERYL - they had white, baby pomeranians....want us to send a few back??