Bangkok - shopping dream or shopping nightmare?

I always wonder... why do people come to Bangkok of all places to shop. I mean, I've shopped in New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, Shanghai and quite a few other cities, all shopping meccas in their own right. And now Bangkok. I was about to discover what's so truly special about shopping in Bangkok that there's quite a few, national and international that undertake, usually twice yearly, trips just to buy stuff.

Mall luxuries

Most of the action happens in Siam district. One Mall is neatly stacked next to another, next to another, next to another. It's pure insanity and a worth a pilgrimage for every serious shopper. Our day started out in some gigantic Macy's style department store and resulted with us fleeing the highly overpriced food court seeking refuge at the street vendors outside. Ah, what would the cash strapped student be without the street vendors.
While continuing from one mall to the other we forget the reason why we came to this area in the first place (to visit some famous shrines) and just indulge in all the glorious food, snacks and well, let's just call it stuff, there is on sale.
There's mall for everything. For Western style clothes, furniture, books. For Thai style clothes, furniture, books. For Chinese style.... you get the message. So whirling through stores and stores and stores and floors and floors and floors haggling to get a fair price, you actually don't wonder why the 'Ladies that Lunch' keep their physique. Trolling through hundreds of shops is more exhausting than a two hour workout in the gym.
The malls are as luxurious as the ones was used to in Dubai. There's some water fountains in the middle, some green spaces and cleaning ladies everywhere to make sure it looks spotless. The more prestigous the shops the more lavish the decoration. From Big C to Platinum I and II and back to Centerworld Mall. On the way there are quite a few really busy street vendors with tables and chairs set up.

Live fish

They sell whole fish stuffed with Veggies and herbs, rubbed in what I guess is salt. Looks really tasty but there it is, the shocking food moment I did not want to have. Some of the fish are still moving. While on the grill. Watching closer they are taken out of a bucket, rubbed in salt, stuffed with Veggies and thrown on the grill. Alive or half alive I can't tell. What I can tell is that some of them are still moving frantically. I am a huge fan of fresh food, but that, is too fresh. It's really scary and I stare at it about two minutes in other awe. Watching him put more and more, moving fish on the fired up grill. Gheez, and that right next to a busy street. Welcome to Bangkok.

There's a shrine around the corner, maybe to pray for those tortured animals.... but the luxury of Centerworld let's you forget what just happens outside. In sub-zero airconditioning there's some more shopping to be done and the admittance that Bangkok shopping beat us. We only made it through a few floors in a few malls and there's just sooooo many more. The choices are endless, the prices are cheap to reasonable (with a few exceptions of course) and the feet are burning. Go Taxi driver whisk us home so we can book our spontaneous weekend trip away.

Tuesday is lazy day and chores day. There's some pool time to be had, some laundry to be done and some grocery shopping to be taken care off.

Rushhour craziness

This evening there is a nice get together planned from a few students in a hyped restaurant called Somtam. There are three tiny tables there, we reserved for a party of ten and then to everyone's surprise really make it happen that 12 people actucally fit and it there. Ordering food is a chaos, no one speaks english, everyone is confused and it takes forever. Service is spotty and the food leaves more than a little bit to be desired. Why it's gotten rave reviews is beyond me. While the food is disappointing the company is quite the opposite. We've got 12 people from 8 nationalities, which does make for a fantabulous evening. To round it all off a lovely dessert at the excellent tasting (but unfriendly staffing) Mango Tango right next door. Then again what does the location matter if the company's right.
Off next are a few uneventful days of classes. And then the next info will reach you from Chiang Mai... Northern Thailand. 4 day weekend getaway.