Stationary in a Bangkok street
It wasn't the first time I'd visited Bangkok. Since it was populated with visitors from all around the world, I was mentally prepared with the fact that it was going to be crazy in traffic. I'd been through all of that before in the very same place. But when the taxi driver steered the wheel, it put us into a very difficult position.
We were in a messy traffic jam.
And being in the traffic jam made me realise something. I wasn't actually mentally prepared for this at all. The condition of the traffic jam I'd seen in front of my very eyes were far more worser than the traffic jam I'd vividly imagined in my head. Outside of the vehicle were motorcycles revving, and cars bleeping their horns nonstop. All of these noises were muffled, and strangely, I felt safe in the car from all the hecticness outside that was starting to brew. As if a miracle, the vehicle was slowly moving forward...
And that meant we were getting closer to meeting our family members again, patiently waiting for our arrival in ICONSIAM. I anxiously rotated my wrist to read the time on my watch. Patience...
*
We meet again!
Cradling Cubby in Mamu's arms, my smile was too widened to the point where my cheeks started to ache from doing so. Behind the camera was a very delighted Tita Pretty, who was dressed into her work attire, since she just ended her shift at work. When she told us about how she went straight to here after she finished work, I couldn't help but be touched by this. My aunt - and my baby cousin - had mustered the effort despite after a tiring day at work to meet up with us here, and even if she was exhausted, I knew she was trying her best not to think about it too much.
All of us were going through some variations of exhaustion and hunger, so I had especially requested a hearty dinner to feast upon. "Something... like a soup based meal." I motioned my hands to be as if I were to be holding a bowl of the soup.
At last, when the meal arrived, I breathed in the addictive cheesy, spicy aroma that lingered from the noodles. With every sniff I took off of the soup, I swear I was ascending into heaven myself. So good... Whilst I was savouring my food, I appreciated how calm the catch up whilst eating our food were. Conversations with my family were always quite enjoyable for me. Just getting to know about my relatives a bit more, their opinions of random things, or their lives. Unexpectedly, Tita Pretty fished out a necklace wrapped in a plastic packaging. The pendant was of an elephant, which was well-known as none other than Thailand's national animal. I thanked her an unnecessary amount out of gratefulness.
Touring around the waterfront
The day wasn't going to come to an end just yet. Moments after our dinner, Tita Pretty's partner or my uncle, Tito Ekk, had come to join our family reunion.
The sky had evolved into pitch black view, leaving the city lights flickering in the background as we walked out of the shopping mall. As we walked out, a huge expanse as a dock sits there, just outside of the mall. Curious to find out what was it for, I hurried over to the edge of the dock. A roof that held seats with people waiting for an unknown reason, an overhead dimmed light is atop them. The thing is, what were they waiting for?
"Uh... Tita Pretty?" I lightly tapped her shoulder.
"Yes?"
"What are we doing here exactly?..."
"Oh, so basically..." She continued on about how the people in the seats were waiting for the free shuttle boat service ICONSIAM provided from ICONSIAM to Asiatique Riverfront. "I'm going to show you how Asiatique looks like!"
Mental calculation: Asiatique = Asian Boutique??
"What's Asiatique?"
"Hmm... you'll find out later..." She cheekily states, and I grin. What a way to be mysterious.
Tita Pretty's family (her, Tito Ekk, and Cubby) were all offering to go to Asiatique themselves by car, since they felt it would be a mere inconvenience if they didn't bring it, or else they would have to go to the trouble to drive it back. The Chiang Mai people, (AKA the four of us) would be able to take the free shuttle boat and admire floating through the body of water.
After a beautiful scenic free ride, we spent most of our night just browsing at cheap items or food to potentially buy. I wasn't sure why, but I think I still enjoyed every moment despite spending a single baht. My time was more enjoyable because of the people I spent my time with <3
what's next... who knows (imma remain mysterious until next week dear viewers ...)
Comments
Post a Comment