Bangkok's First Impressions
The first few days in Bangkok have been spent at night, escaping the heat and trying to (and failing miserably) fight off the jet lag. I have never seen a city like Bangkok. It’s my first time in Southeast Asia, and needless to say, I am overwhelmed. The invasion of smells, the loud traffic and the sticky morning heat are my first impressions from the airport to our apartment. I feel upside down, maybe because I am on the other side of the world.
On our second night, we took the BTS, a fast, quiet “sky train” that flashes above the city. The name feels appropriate as it’s the highest train I’ve been on -maybe 50 meters above the ground- not your regular high line. Across the city, a non-stop whirl of screens and neon lights gives a surreal feeling of being in Bladerunner.
We arrive at our destination, and the sense of being in a dystopian movie persists when we arrive at CoCo Walk - an outdoor complex right below the Ratachewi BTS station. We had a few drinks and fried fish from a restaurant in the street. We talk about the purpose of our trip, all our plans and dreams about buying a one-way ticket and the luxury of being able to travel with no deadline. The couple of months ahead are a blank canvas for us.
This city is already stimulating my appreciation of the colours; I’ve never seen a place that becomes so colourful and interesting at night. With the city’s bright lights, non-stop traffic and permanent heat, we go to bed late feeling inspired, tired and wired.