The end of one, the beginning of another

Julia put it perfectly when she said that, in many ways, America felt like a vacation and now we're back to figuring out the life we want to live. Hard to describe the feeling that you belong in a place you have never really been to and don't quite know yet. I'm excited to start trying to learn the language, though it's definitely going to be difficult. It took 1 hour of being in Thailand to learn that, despite my best efforts to not get tan, I look Thai and therefore blend right in. And it has taken a short 4 days to have that fact confirmed and reiterated. So now me not knowing Thai makes me look worse than Julia not knowing Thai. And me learning Thai would just make me look like a stupid Thai person, as I wouldn't be able to say very much anyway. Alas, none of this should come as a surprise.

For our second and third day in Bangkok, we went to Chinatown and Old Bangkok. We experienced our first thunderstorm as we were leaving the Grand Palace and got drenched in the pouring rain, but it wasn't so bad because it was still nice and warm out. 

Currently jumbled and at a loss for words, so for once I'll let the pictures do the talking and maybe Julia can pick up where we left off in a later blog entry.

Bangkok Chinatown. One of my favorite pics.

A wild rootbeer has appeared! With some tongue and intestines in the background to give it a nice "we're not in America" feel. Another favorite picture.

So green and so beautiful. A park we stopped by in central Bangkok to catch our breath and take in the scenery.

Part of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, where the royalty used to live. Super shiny and interesting Asian-western hybrid architecture

More of the Grand Palace. Demons on a pillar.

A temporary exhibit as part of the textile museum where we got to try on some traditional Thai clothing. Had a mini professional photoshoot :)

Upon closer inspection, this guard looked like he was about to pass out. Tough job in the heat and humidity. Still, swanky clothes and an important position.

Where are you mailing your letter? You have two options: Bangkok. Other places.

Pose and clothes making us look Greco-Roman rather than Thai

Favorite picture of Julia, also looking Greco-Roman

Stopped by a mall with a Harry Potter-esque bathroom

Tried to capture the essence of the traffic in Bangkok. Providing a taste of everyday life and not just the touristy stuff.

Beautiful quilt mural in the Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok

Our first Pad Thai! Came in adorable omelette fashion.

Trains with bedding, pillows, blankets and curtains (not to mention AC). Julia's face says it all.

Welcomed with a snazzy sign and we're home :)

Off to get SIM cards and a map. Then we need to do some research about nearby schools and such. Unfortunately, we probably won't have the funds to do any sort of vacation and so we'll have to jump right in to the job search. Wish us luck!