For some time now I’ve had the idea that in a perfect world, call me nomadic or what, I would like to spend the remainder of my life in three places – a few months a year in England, a few months in Spain and the rest of the time in Thailand. Whether this dream can be turned into reality remains to be seen as my life has, effectively, been on hold for many months now while going through the nasty business of divorce. However, this hasn’t stopped the planning which has brought me to Thailand to see if I can, at least, sort out this part of my triangular puzzle.
Initially, the idea of becoming a beach bum seemed quite appealing
but having seen the degeneration of a number of ex pats grasping their first beer at 10.00 am or earlier, I’m not sure I’m quite ready for that yet! OK for a while – the beach bum bit, not the early morning drinking- but there’s got to be more to life than spending lazy days in the sun on some idyllic, soft sanded beach. Or maybe not!
The other idea would be to base my Far Eastern winter hibernation in a city- Bangkok being the obvious choice – with the occasional trip out to some tropical beach paradise. I love Bangkok. I love it’s hustle and bustle and seeming chaos.
I love the culture, the temples and the religious shrines everywhere –
this one directly outside the apartment block, complete with roof top pool,
where I am currently staying. I love the restaurants and bars with their strange names!
I love the people-
well, most of them! I love the strangely worded signs –
I love the markets and the street sellers.
And I really, really love the food. The concept of ‘3 square meals a day’ just doesn’t exist for Thai people. It’s all about “snacking’ – eating small amounts throughout the waking hours. Being a cosmopolitan city there are, of course, many top class international restaurants plus, sadly, the ubiquitous Macdonalds and KFCs but it’s the street food that I just adore.
Sellers of freshly made and often regional dishes are everywhere. It’s fresh and it’s cheap!
As there’s still a part of me that would like to get stuck into some small business project or other, Bangkok should be the ideal place to live for the winter months. It ticks so many boxes but……..
…. the traffic! It’s horrendous and with it, of course, the pollution. The thought of living on fantastic food, ice cold beer plus an unhealthy sprinkling of carbon monoxide day in and day out is enough to turn anyone into a beach bum – 10.00 am beer or not! So that’s my Far East dilemma. But it’s not a bad problem to have and I will thoroughly enjoy trying to resolve this puzzle whilst I’m here in Bangkok, in the surrounding countryside and with the occasional trip to some sun kissed shore!
Until we do it again
Phileas.
thelasthurrahsite 