Imago said:

Your aunt and uncle's gate has a roof.

What's so funny about the roof?

OK, the next few pictures are going to appear to be very strange to some of you:

http://www.danonderdonk.com/thaihell


Let me just explain some of the shots that you see.

1. The statue crudely constructed statue of the man taking a 'yellow' dump and another man scraping it, is actually a depiction of inauspicious actions people take. It was part of a series of displays depicting behaviors we should not be engaging in. This one symbolicly means not to be the type of person who gives everyone your shit.

2. The elephant that is laying down is about the futility of trying to hide your problems and sins. The man is trying to cover the elephant with a leaf from a lilly.

3. The picture of the man running away from the tiger and towards the alligator is about not running away from your problems. You only run into different types of problems. You have to face your demons.

4. The other gross and barbaric statues (I took tons of them) are depictions of hell. All of them relate to certain teachings and myths.


Overall, it was a wonderful time, and I am blessed to have seen some of these famous sites. I spent some time in the grand temple that you see with the gold and red decor inside, and meditated. It was heavenly.


Thailand is the Symbol album of the world.

You can partake of every sin imaginable here, and the men and women are beautiful, sexy, and irresistible. I've developed a new fondness for short, thai men that I never had before.

But likewise, you can actually find a spiritual connection to whatever faith you subscribe to. Thailand is a deeply religious [buddhist] country, but one with an open heart and mind. It's a perplexing paradox of ignorance, superstition, and openmindedness.

I've met some of the most interesting people, mostly expats who 'escaped' what they considered to be the suffocating 'westerness' and 'plasticity' of their own countries to be in the humid, boiling, wetness of Bangkok

But trust me when I say this--Bangkok is no escape. It can easily enchant, repulse, enlighten, destroy, and utterly consume you like few other cities in the world. I've grown to be fascinated and respectful of it.

And of course, I've finally met Fauxie, who's really more fascinating to me now that I've met him than before.

what's the illicit drug situation in Thailand..?

BlackAdder7 said:

I'm not 100% sure what this question even means.


All the major nightclubs are similar to the ones in the USA in which you can score ecstacy, yaa baa, and the like if you want. Yaa baa is the common man's "speed" here and without it, nobody works.

It's not much different from the USA, really.

Many of the nightclubs---totally legit, no hookers, call boys/girls, etc. etc. actually forbid cameras, especially in the Silom area, and I suspect this is one of the reasons. I'm not 100% sure.

But there you see all these Western dudes in their 20's and 30's walking around obviously high on something.

Getting what you want in this city basically takes little effort.



I have absolutely no interest in the scene-queen aspects of a night out of fun.
I was repulsed by it in the USA--seeing it amplified here doesn't change my opinion.

Imago said:

I'm exhausted.

Here's some new pics:




Click on the delicious and nutritious image below to be transported into my latest pics... I'll write more if I have the time. I've been spread awfully thin this week, and it's taking it's toll on me.
Facebook friends--there are several other pics in addition to these that for various reasons I've chosen not to post.






or click : http://www.danonderdonk.c...terfalls2/


[Edited 7/20/09 3:45am]

Beautiful pictures Dan.
Is that your new little pal Joe?

littlemissG said:

the younger of the two boys is Joe, yes.

Joe: http://www.danonderdonk.c...g_6737.jpg


He's very cute, but there is a debth and sadness in his eyes I can't quite pinpoint. He smiles readily which is nice.

Great pics Dan!!!!

click image below to go to new piccies.








http://www.danonderdonk.c...ndv7/album



.
[Edited 7/26/09 8:25am]

MoniGram said:

Thanks, boo

Imago said:

I so want one of those little guys in Img. 7250

DAN!!! I LOVE looking at your pics and videos of your trip! They are all beautiful images and the love you have for your family and the country come through clearly.
I hope you can have some of these professionally printed/framed and hang them in your house. They'd even make nice gifts (ahem )

applekisses said:

Thanks, Beautiful




And good idea

I filmed this a few weeks back, but you can see that even in the heart of the busy business center, there are places for Thais to worship.

OK, this will be my last update to this thread, I promise.




Here's a collections of photos taken, some of them appear on this thread already.




youtube's quality sucks, but those of you on facebook can see a higher resolution video.

i thought you moved there permanently...???

BlackAdder7 said:

I don't understand how this relates to my last post

I'm retiring the thread cause it's run it's course.