Savor a different taste of this exotic chic of life with Maita Florendo and Krista Pages at this tropical cultural destination Bangkok, Thailand.
Maita Florendo:
Maita was first based in an area called Silom, which was close to the school she was attending. She eventually moved to Sukhumvit, the business district of the city. “I attended a one-month teacher-training program called the Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults, a program for teachers who want to dip their toes into teaching ESL. After just a month of training, I found a job at the Berlitz Language Centre and was assigned to the branch in Siam Paragon, Bangkok’s luxury mall,” she said.
“In a country with such interesting culture, there was so much to learn after having lived in a foreign place on my own, it was a very enriching experience, I just loved the independence! Not being able to speak the language was often a hurdle, as most people do not speak English. Saying that, most locals were generally friendly and are very open to meeting people of different nationalities. I was able to walk around almost everywhere without any trouble, bearing in mind the Thai customs and traditions of being conservative such as pointing your foot at someone is very impolite,” she added.
Delving a little deeper into the local life, Maita has learned the word “sanuk” (sandal), which can also mean “fun”. Another is the prayer gesture with hands put together doing a light bow, which is called a “Wai”. “This, is highly important to the Thais, a way of saying hello.”
Maita shared that Bangkok is a commuter friendly city where it is easy to book flights or get on the train if you wish to see the rest of the country. “I once had the experience of taking the overnight train to Vientiane, Laos. I also have a friend who backpacked from the north to the south of Thailand riding buses and trains. These are just some of the experiences that you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Thailand.”
“Public transportation in Bangkok is great overall. They have two train systems, the Skytrain (BTS) for an aerial view of the city or the MRT. There are also numerous cabs as well but if you are brave enough, you might want to hop on a motorbike taxi, but do stay was from tuk-tuks as they are generally a rip-off,” shared Maita.
Her favorite restaurant in Bangkok is called Cabbages and Condoms. “It is a place that offers great food with a very pretty setting! But no, they do not serve neither cabbages nor condoms, it is a restaurant that is part of an outreach program of the Population and Development Association, a sex education/aids prevention organization, which is just absolutely for a good cause.”
During her spare time, Maita chooses to spend a lot of time at the park, a backdrop of lush foliage and a wonderful refuge in the busy city. Apart from that, she would also visit the night market called Suan Lum or test her bargaining skills at the weekend market, Chatuchak.
“One of the most memorable things I did in Bangkok was going on a sunset river cruise on this beautiful teak boat called the Aspara, where they served delicious cocktail morsels from The Banyan Tree,” she said. A gourmet dinner with a view of the river onboard a charming teak boat sounds very pretty indeed!
“My stay in Bangkok has truly opened my eyes to things that I wouldn’t have seen if I weren’t in my own, but I loved every minute of it. I have made so many wonderful friendships in Thailand, which has absolutely made such an impression in my life,” she concluded.
Krista Pages:
Living abroad had always been Krista’s dream since she was a little girl. “I am currently based in Bangkok, in the Sukhumvit district, which is pretty much the heart of the city,” she shared. Studying the art of Thai massage, Krista is enrolled at the Chiva Som Academy taking spa therapy. “I have learned that the art of massage or spa treatment, if done the proper way can completely change one’s mood.”
“What I like about Thailand is that the culture is right outside your doorstep. It begins with the language that you hear and the smell of the local food. People are incredibly nice, but they do abide by their manners, which they take very seriously so I am always aware of what I say or how I act around people.” Krista shares that Thais usually observe etiquette on almost everything – they don’t like public displays of affection and they don’t like being touched on the head since it is the highest part of their being. “You also have to be aware that some stores don’t welcome shoes worn inside the shop. But Thailand being a tourist destination, I have to comment that the locals treat foreigners very well,” she said.
It is easy to get around the city of Bangkok, but Krista’s advice is that when taking a taxi; do make sure that the meter is turned on! Another tip is to haggle with the tuk-tuk drivers as they generally over-charge you. “But the best tip of all is to get the address of your destination and have someone write it in Thai for you to be able to make it easier for the driver,” she added.
“I love Thai food and have pretty much enjoyed every single meal I have had since I’ve been here. I am very careful on what and what not to order since most dishes are incredibly spicy! Most street food stalls don’t have a menu so it is always a challenge when placing an order; I normally just point and nod! One classic dessert dish in Thailand is called Babin, sticky rice mixed with coconut, which is lightly seared on both sides of a pan, shaped like a small pancake. It comes in other flavors as well, such as pumpkin and taro. Another dessert everyone has to sample is sticky rice with coconut milk and mango; it is just delicious! In my opinion, you have to be on the adventurous side to experience authentic cuisine such as fried insects, an absolute Thai delicacy,” shared Krista.
Being observant, Krista has become aware that the Thais do take their religion (Buddhism) very seriously. “When you walk on the street, you will find many worship shrines. At the foot of these shrines, you will see little offerings such as food, water or flowers. You will even see some people stop in the middle of the street to pray,” she said. What an inspiring local tradition!
As for hotels, there are so many to choose from, but Krista would recommend the Sukhumvit or Silom area of Bangkok. “But whatever suits your taste, commuting is easy. If you choose to be close to the bustling and awe-inspiring temples, rivers, beaches, mountains or shops, there is no shortage of anything so take your pick.”
“My future plans are to move around the globe after Thailand since there are so many places that I want to venture to. The thrill of traveling and being a face in the crowd can be the most exciting feeling ever! I am at this point in my life where I want to witness what it is really like out there and to make a decision on what I think is best for myself. After finishing my course, I am looking forward to what doors will open for me,” Krista concluded. (Photos courtesy of Maita Florendo and Vito Selma)