I went to India for work a few years ago and beforehand I had visions of an exotic, balmy, colorful place. I thought Southern Asia would have the vibrant nuttiness that staid and steady North Asia lacks. And while there are undeniable elements of beauty, my impression of Mumbai wasn't what I'd pictured. My romantic visions were overwhelmed by unfathomable slums, pollution-browned waters, and crushing poverty. Bangkok, on the other hand, is what I thought Mumbai might be. A city that's a bit ancient, a lot modern while colorful, spicy, flashy, and full of kind hearted souls.
The monuments to the monarchy and to Buddhism are no exceptions. I love that Thailand's mantra seems to be 'go big or go home.' Surely one of the most impressive sights we've seen, The Grand Palace in Bangkok is a castle, a temple, the King's residence, an outdoor museum, and a park all rolled up into a tidy package where you're not allowed to wear shorts or tanktops. Gaudy?Absolutely, but no one ever accused the Thai of lacking in flair. Subtlety isn't the fashion here, and the extreme is evident everywhere from the aspirational Skytrain to the bell-ringingly spicy food. We're gonna miss it mightily.
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