Shopping!

SATURDAY

Today was our designated shopping day. We started off completely on the wrong foot, however, when we walked down to get "old woman" coffee and she was not there! How dare she take a day off! We trudged back to the house where Janel calmed us down by making us coffee in her new cafetera. She then presented us with a delicious breakfast delicacy of mango and sticky rice with coconut milk on top - unbelievable!

We saddled up and headed out via taxi to Chatuchak market deep in Bangkok. I hesitate to try and describe the place - it actually defies description. It is a HUGE indoor/outdoor conglomeration of stalls/people and anything/everything you want/need or don't need. If you need something - you can find it there. Well. . .you might not actually be able to "find" it, but rest assured it is there: clothing, housewares, jewelry, shoes, electronics, art, flowers, knick knacks, pets, and food stalls of all kinds. It is not a touristy place (although tourists do go there), but rather a place where Thais actually shop for necessities. It is hot, stuffy, crowded and fun!

Entering the market - the tip of the iceberg

We had previously decided that we would be "grazing" the food stalls today and started right in the middle of the market. We zeroed in on some bubbling woks of food and followed our noses. We had no idea what anything was, so we just kind of pointed and got two huge plates of some kind of curried chicken and rice. It was delicious.

bubbling wok filled with ???

Lunchtime

I realize that much of this blog revolves around food, but seriously, I think Thai people must eat all the time! There is food everywhere and people eating and enjoying all around. It is quite a food culture. Of course, we love it.

After lunch we start the serious browsing. It is so overwhelming that I don't even make a single purchase. Janel bought a great dress for about $6. Carlos purchased a few items, but mostly we just wandered and ate "meat on a stick" whenever we wanted a nibble.

Rich and Carlos contemplating housewares


Janel looking at earrings

Janel bought sunglasses for 50bht ($1.50)

Trying to diagnos the "creeping crud" she had last week. . .

When we were almost at our point of exhaustion I spied an oasis - a stall for massages! Janel and I indulged in a 30 minute neck/shoulder massage that was heaven - 150bht each ($4). Next time we will add a foot massage. Finally we had to try and fight our way through the traffic to get home.

How do we get through this???

When we get home we relax for a bit and then head out for dinner. Tonight's dinner was supposed to be a treat for Janel and Carlos for letting us stay at their house. However - it is just Janel/Rich and me because Carlos is not feeling well. He probably has finally come down with what Janel was fighting last week. We hope we don't succumb.

Anyway - we dress up fancy and grab a taxi to head to Opus restaurant. Janel had been there last week to review it for her Wine Bar article coming out in the March issue of Look East magazine (be sure to check in in March). She really loved it and wanted to take us there. It was fabulous. It is an Italian place (we figured we are going to get plenty of Thai food) where they recognized her when we walked in. They treated us like royalty. We chose a wonderful Nero d
avola wine from Sicily and enjoyed it with our meal.

We started with a Burratina - a creamy, creamy fresh cheese (yes, Janet - I have had burata once again and yes it was phenomenal) and a beautiful Tapas platter. We finished by sharing a perfect small platter of Australian tenderloin. Oh - of course tira misu for dessert. The manager then complimented us with limoncello. All in all a perfect evening of quiet conversation and food.

Linda and Janel with the tenderloin

Does this photo show how happy we are to be together?!

Another great day in Bangkok. Today we leave for Chiang Mai. The blog might get a little lighter since I am not sure about internet access during our travels.