The mix of local population ethnic diversity and the tourist to local ratio are similar to Honolulu. Their seems to be an understanding that tourism can happily drive an economy. There is a laid back peaceful attitude. How many clasped hands and head bowing have we seen? I just saw the most beautiful butterfly soaring right over me. Flowers everywhere! and we are sitting poolside on the 20th floor of our hotel because the pool is on the roof! 20th floor and butterflies are dancing around here. Both kids are begging to stay indefinitely. I don't blame them.

Why is Bangkok like Honolulu

There is serious hustle and bustle here. There is risk involved in street crossing. There is street food and cafes and religion and commerce everywhere all at once. The street food fills the air with amazing savory mouth watering smells. Need that third season of True Blood? It is right over here at the knock off DVD stand for about a buck. Spilled a drink on your t-shirt? buy another for a dollar. Marina needed some socks so I went into a drug store to get her some. They were cute and had embrodery on them. They cost .80 cents US. Whatever. I got them to the room and inside in the embroidery on one side of the foot it reads 'Beauty Socks' On the other side it reads 'Beauty Sucks!' Oh! I love that bad English!

Why is Bangkok like Kuala Lumpur?

Last night while we were having dinner we were given a receipt for the food we ate. Along with the money paid and the change we received, the note came with a detailed nutritional analysis of the meal. If you are in the mood for specific food or delicacies or a Starbucks coffee...help your self! It's all here! And, for us tourists there seems to be no trouble wether a person is straight or gay or whatever...as long as you aren't bothering anyone...

Why is Bangkok Like San Francisco

I know that wise people have given me the impression that we should get out of Bangkok as soon as we possibly can, but honestly, I am in no big hurry. I like it here. It reminds me of all of the things that I find so incredibly interesting in cities without yellin, or hostility, or well, paranoia of strangers. Being in Bangkok has reminded me simultaneously of San Francisco, Kuala Lumpur, and Honolulu all mixed together. How is this?

We are in an enormous modern city with ancient tradiditons that are still being practiced. It is not like Bali where we are in the midst of the incence smoke at every turn. Instead, we are treated kindly. Questions we have are answered honestly. Sure, there is an ugly underbelly happening somewhere that I have not had to see for myself, but more frequent are people trying to get by, trying to provide for their family, trying to be...just like everywhere else on this planet.