Note: We have now posted a folder of various Thailand pictures (in no particular order) on our photosite. The folder is labeled "Thailand March 2010." Yes, very original I know.
So, about the title of this blog. The Grand Palace in Bangkok had a dress code requirement, which meant no shorts. For a mere 30 baht, or $1, you could "rent" pants to wear into the palace, so here you have me wearing my traditional Thai elephant pants. Sarah had some too, but you can't see hers in the picture unfortunately!
Little did we know (dumb tourists), you could check out "free" pants at the front gate of the Palace, instead of being bilked by the tourist trap across the street from the Palace. Yes, its only $1, but compound that by thousands of unsuspecting tourists each day and now you're talking some real money!
Also of note. While Thailand has a certain reputation for being...seedy, we found this to be completely unfounded, even in the heart of Bangkok. While there are no doubt certain areas where unmentionable activities can be found (like any large city), Thai culture is very conservative in dress and mannerisms (even in 95 degree heat you'll see Thais in pants and long sleeved shirts while the robust Westerner tourists are sweating up a rain storm in their tank tops and shorts). If anything, it is scantily clad Westerners who perpetuate this obscene reputation and not the Thais themselves. We did our fare share of walking around Thailand, even late at night, and never came across any area that appeared dangerous or otherwise undesireable. Again, this is not to say that all of Bangkok or Thailand is a safe haven, but many of the areas we saw were just as safe and "normal" as any location in the US, which was quite the opposite of the impression we had before our trip.
Awesome... They look like Ammin style to me.
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