In the morning we went to Chatuchak Market. We’d been there on our first visit to Thailand over ten years ago, and had forgotten how immense it is. We found the section we were looking for – sections 2-4, where the trendy young designers are. Ten years ago I bought myself a canvas bag that served me as a travel handbag for many years; now I bought a red flowy pair of trousers that, when I tried them on back at the flat, turned out to be nice enough that I might go back next week and buy another pair. I also picked up a t-shirt with a cartoon of the Dear Leader that a journalist friend of mine should enjoy.
Then, fed up of crowds and narrow, hot alleys, we went across the big road to Or Tor Kor Market. We pottered through it and picked up some fruit and vegetables and other bits and pieces, then came out, looked left and realised this respectable sized warehouse was only the organic section and there was a far larger market further on. This was one of those really immense markets, with stalls stacked high with glistening prawns, sacks of dried shrimp and salted vegetables, mounds of fruits, etc. Behind it all was a cluster of food stall so we both (starving by this point) sat down for a lunch of duck noodles for me and pad thai for the Gentlamn Friend. The rain struck, the violent tropical rain of this region, but by the time we finished eating it was over. The streets were still wet, though, and the loose tiles were a particular trial as an unwary step could douse one’s feet in muddy water filled with extract of rat and roach, but eventually we made our way back.
In the afternoon we went for coffee to a rather overwhelming cafe, filled inside and out with plants so that light was filtered green, and walls covered with European curios and images, most with a Christian slant. One rarely sees Christian imagery used as pure design, certainly unlike Buddhist image.
Dinner was at Phed Phed, where we had some fantastic som tam and the most delicious mushrooms which I shall try to replicate. I’d hoped to watch Better Call Saul on returning, but I was too sleepy, and then had a rather bad night with the strain in my neck. I am gettig fed up of it, perhaps I should find a Thai masseuse and tell them to do their worst.
Today it’s back to work. I went out for breakfast and then we went out for lunch and coffee. I have spent some time today transliterating a couple of Hindi poems into Urdu, which has been excellent practice for me, much better than trying to read Nepali shop signs.