An interesting area – lots of buildings from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Odd to see a Catholic Church here but this is the same part of town with the French and the Portuguese embassies so not entirely out of place.
Definitely more of a European feel to some of the buildings – even though some of them are in pretty sad shape. Must have been impressive in their day. Too bad, because they really are in a great spot right on the river.
Then, went to the Bangkokian Museum – a Thai home from the 1940s that was given to the state and preserved as it was at the time. Beautiful wood furniture and floors throughout. You could really get a sense of what it was like to live here then – with the screens and the shutters and the high ceilings, all meant to try to cope with the heat. I can’t imagine living here without air-conditioning. It must have been oppressive –
”In Bangkok, at twelve o'clock, they foam at the mouth and run,
But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.”
Ended up with the attendant following me around and explaining everything – which would have been helpful, but her English was horrible. (Better than my Thai, of course, but still.) I couldn't understand most of what she was saying. I’d catch the occasional word or two – “doctor,” “grandmother” – but she might as well have been speaking in Thai. Or Russian. I think the poor thing was just bored to tears and happy to have a visitor to talk to -- I was the only person there the entire time.
From there, I pressed on to the River City shopping complex -- it's “the” place to buy Asian art in Bangkok. Some very beautiful but very expensive-looking stores. Beautiful Buddha statues and paintings, carved doors, and wooden chests. Nothing had a price, so I can just imagine. Like they say, if you have to ask….
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