Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The start of an amazing day. Actually our day "started" with our arrival shortly after midnight at Bangkok's airport where we were warmly greeted by about 40 Thai Rotarians, ;ed by their District GSEChair Quanchai. What a reception, complete with banners, leis, and lots of introductions and handshakes. We were truly made to feel like visiting dignitaries! Although we were pretty tired (after over 30 hours of travel) the experience was unforgetable and worth every minute.
The start of an amazing day. Actually our day "started" with our arrival shortly after midnight at Bangkok's airport where we were warmly greeted by about 40 Thai Rotarians, ;ed by their District GSEChair Quanchai. What a reception, complete with banners, leis, and lots of introductions and handshakes. We were truly made to feel like visiting dignitaries! Although we were pretty tired (after over 30 hours of travel) the experience was unforgetable and worth every minute.
By the time we checked into our hotel and got to bed it was already almost 3:00 AM.
After a 6:00 AM wakeup call, we had a wonderful buffet breakfast, filled with both Thai and American delights. To our credit, the team stuck mainly to the unnamed Thai breakfast items and we were not disappointed. This bodes well for future meals in Thailand.
Our first stope of the day was the headquarters for all of Thailand’s four Rotary Districts in downtown Bangkok. We were greeted by various Thai Rotary dignitaries, the presidents of some of the presidents of Rotary clubs in District 3330 and by the entire outbound GSE team going to D7570. The outgoing team had many questions for us about Virginia, particularly about Virginia’s weather and snowfall. We had many photos to show them, but assured them that, although they would probably see the remnants of this year’s record snowfall, they were unlikely to have very much snow.
The two GSE teams then set out for lunch at Bangkok’s Navy Club, so named named for its location on the Chao Pharya river, which intersects Bangkok, rather than for any military affiliation. Lunch was served family style, which is typical of Thai restaurants. Plate after plate of incredible unnamed dishes kept appearing as if by magic. I believe that, in a deliberate effort to break in the farang (foreigners –not a derogatory terms, just a description of all non-Thai persons) slowly, the spices were kept on the moderate side. In any case, the meal couldn’t have been more delicious (aroy mâak).
Fully satisfied, we then set out for the Royal Palace, which is not the king’s residence (although it has been used as such in the past), but rather the most significant place of Budhist worship in Thailand. Amid jeweled and enameled golden spires is a mini-city of sacred buildings, statues, murals including the most sacred object of all – the Emerald Budha – which, three times a year is dressed in different ceremonial robes by the king himself. Only the most reverent behavior is allowed within this temple – no shoes, only kneeling on the floor with feet pointed away from the budha and no photography (although I was allowed to take a picture from outside of the temple.
After a short “tuk-tuk” ride ( a sort of motorized rickshaw) we got back in our van and were driven about two hours to Suphanburi where we met our host families for the next four nights and, believe it or not, enjoy yet another incredible Thai meal. I believe that I will have a tough time maintaining my weight over the next month.
Our first stope of the day was the headquarters for all of Thailand’s four Rotary Districts in downtown Bangkok. We were greeted by various Thai Rotary dignitaries, the presidents of some of the presidents of Rotary clubs in District 3330 and by the entire outbound GSE team going to D7570. The outgoing team had many questions for us about Virginia, particularly about Virginia’s weather and snowfall. We had many photos to show them, but assured them that, although they would probably see the remnants of this year’s record snowfall, they were unlikely to have very much snow.
The two GSE teams then set out for lunch at Bangkok’s Navy Club, so named named for its location on the Chao Pharya river, which intersects Bangkok, rather than for any military affiliation. Lunch was served family style, which is typical of Thai restaurants. Plate after plate of incredible unnamed dishes kept appearing as if by magic. I believe that, in a deliberate effort to break in the farang (foreigners –not a derogatory terms, just a description of all non-Thai persons) slowly, the spices were kept on the moderate side. In any case, the meal couldn’t have been more delicious (aroy mâak).
Fully satisfied, we then set out for the Royal Palace, which is not the king’s residence (although it has been used as such in the past), but rather the most significant place of Budhist worship in Thailand. Amid jeweled and enameled golden spires is a mini-city of sacred buildings, statues, murals including the most sacred object of all – the Emerald Budha – which, three times a year is dressed in different ceremonial robes by the king himself. Only the most reverent behavior is allowed within this temple – no shoes, only kneeling on the floor with feet pointed away from the budha and no photography (although I was allowed to take a picture from outside of the temple.
After a short “tuk-tuk” ride ( a sort of motorized rickshaw) we got back in our van and were driven about two hours to Suphanburi where we met our host families for the next four nights and, believe it or not, enjoy yet another incredible Thai meal. I believe that I will have a tough time maintaining my weight over the next month.
1 comment:
What a welcome!! Glad you all made it safe and sound. Now the adventure begins!
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