To buy an aspirin here can give one a headache!!. True. I went into four drug stores to purchase ASA 81 MG aspirin, and could not do so. Two huge Pharmacy chains here are Boot's, which we used to have in Canada, and Watson's. At each, I explained that I was from Canada, and wished to purchase 81 MG ASA, as I had done this on previous trips, and as long as I was from out of Thailand, could do so. Thai's needed a prescription. This time, I was informed that Pharmacies must have a license to dispense or sell these drugs, so most can not do so. After two hours attempting various shops, I was informed of one location where I could buy what I wanted, but it was a good walk; I completed the walk and got what I wanted. Here, 60 cost about a dollar!!!.
With thunderstorms forecast for the next five days, I have decided to take the two hour bus trip down to the beach at Pattaya for three nights. The beach is a good place to be if it is wet. There is no risk of lightning at the coast as the salty air works against lightning. I have been told by folks from the west coast of Canada, California and elsewhere that they have never seen a lightning storm on the coast....inland, a different story.
I did some shopping last evening at a place called Asiatique...(different spellings), where over a thousand shops sell everything Asian...a massive place with every imaginable type of shop. It would take several days to visit every one. It is mainly a night market....newly constructed over an old dock site along the Chao Phraya river which runs through Bangkok. To get there, I took an elevated rail line part way, then transferred to a water taxi...free service for the market for two kilometers down the river. There was as much boat traffic as there were cars on the distant road. I had dinner there after getting the items I went looking for. Here, on like myself has to be careful what you order...I like seafood, and do enjoy most of it, but refuse to touch squid or octopus, whatever it is called. My rule is simple...if it has more arms than I do, I do my bit for the environment and leave it alone. If the menu states seafood...or seafood sauce, or any like words, I take a pass. I enjoyed the chicken Pad Thai.
I sometime stage an old adage...what happens in Rome stays in Rome...or...as for here, Thailand, stays in Thailand. There are many stories that could be told, but many never will be, however, I will share one that will give you an idea of some of the things I am capable of doing.
When I was here for the first time, in May 2012, I brought an eye glass prescription and got new lenses installed at an outlet known as Top Charoen, which has many outlets in Thailand. I had to wait a couple of days for the new glasses. The place had a staff of seven, and I was asked if I would stop in for tea any afternoon when I was in the area....I was to be at a nearby hotel for two weeks. The staff wanted to practice English; said that many came for glasses, but did not have time to stop and chat. I took them up on the offer, and dropped in most days......it just happened to fit my schedule. I learned, the last week that one of the ladies was having a birthday the following day. I decided that for my visit the next day, I would buy a large cake, and deliver it to her at "tea time". I had told one or two others, so paper plates and forks were discretely delivered. When I walked to her desk, she broke out in tears and headed off to compose herself. When she returned, she said that she had been married for ten years and her husband had never bought her a cake or gift. I think I was in his bad book for a while, although we never met. I walked by there last week, and the place is gone to another mall somewhere. That's Bangkok for now!!!
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