Living it up in Bangkok

Last week, I wrote about how it was like to be on the long red carpet of the fourth Bangkok International Film Festival in Thailand.

That was definitely the longest red carpet I’ve ever seen. Getting ready for that event made me real nervous mainly because I had no idea what to expect once I get inside.

I could still remember my favorite song playing as I walked closer and closer towards the entrance.

It was sort of like a movie being shown. The sweet sound of Cabaret played as I took a step on that carpet.

I had the floor all to myself and the people watched me show off my gown. It was very much like a fairy tale.

I honestly had no idea if the photographers even knew who I was. But the best part of it was smiling in front of their cameras and waving to some locals watching on the side.

As I came closer and closer to the main entrance of the big hall where they held the event, I began to hear the people doing a countdown.

A few steps into the hall, everyone clapped. It was funny because they were actually doing a countdown as part of the opening ceremony. It was just such a coincidence that it happened simultaneously with my walk down the red carpet, as if they were clapping for my entrance.

I know this may sound cheesy, but for a moment, I closed my eyes and dreamed that their applause was to welcome my presence. Ha ha ha! It was awesome.

I was so overwhelmed by the scene I walked into. There were so many people. It was just like a big formal party. The place was beautiful. I just stood there and watched their press conference on the stage.

It was a bit hard to understand because I could hear all kinds of languages being spoken around me, and Tagalog was not part of it.

I didn’t realize I’m standing next to some of the most famous celebrities in Thailand. A man approached me and asked to take pictures with me. I was so surprised to find out he’s the ambassador of Turkey!

We had a short chat, and they were very nice to me. I was also able to take pictures with a couple of Thai celebrities.

After the opening ceremony and the short presscon they held, we all went up into the theaters to watch their opening ceremony movie Invisible Waves.

I found it quite interesting to watch a foreign film, with subtitles of course. The theater in Siam Paragon Mall was very nice.

They had some real nice comfortable seats. After we watched that film, my manager and I went back to our hotel.

I was quite tired already so we decided to call it a night and requested for a two-hour massage service.

This was my first time ever getting a two-hour massage. It was great! That’s definitely one of the things I’d look for next time I get back there.

I had such a good rest. I’m not much of a morning person, but I managed to wake up early enough the next day for an early breakfast.

Then, we headed back to Siam Paragon and did a little shopping. We also met Khun Kittipong Prapattong of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Khun Prapattong was the one who invited us for the said film festival.

The Siam Paragon Mall reminds me of Greenbelt, where they have brand name stores and all that high-end stuff.

But that wasn’t really what I enjoyed in Bangkok. One of my favorite places is the market where they sell all kinds of things such as clothes and home decors. I love it.

After Paragon Mall, we went to Siam Center, a mall similar to Robinsons Galleria. We were lucky enough to be there while their 50 percent off sale was going on.

I ended up buying a few pairs of shoes. We normally save the best for last, right? And that’s exactly why we decided to go to Suan Lum night bazaar, the night market, last.

I could never spend enough time shopping in this bazaar. The place is very similar to Tiendesitas, in Libis, except a whole lot bigger. Imagine that!

The only time I stop shopping is when I can’t carry any more bags. This time around, I was smart enough to carry a back-pack with me so my hands wouldn’t be that full.

It only gave me more time to shop, and heavier bags to carry! The people there are very nice.

They’re very much similar to Filipinos. Well, they do look very similar to us, right? Some even thought of me as a local. Most of the time, they spoke to me in Thai.

This trip was very exciting for me. I really hope to be back there soon and visit new places like the beaches.

Maybe this time, I’ll bring a trolley suitcase for shopping! God bless!

(You may e-mail me at julianapalermo785@yahoo.com)

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