The High Life

It was rolling into the mid 30's in Bangkok as I pulled up to my hostel. Through the heavy traffic, the sea of honking horns and tuk tuks, down a curiously small dark alleyway so tucked away in the middle of nowhere that you may think it was a mirage, there was my room. 7 dollars a night, 8 people.

Ah, the life of a backpacker. If one can successfully roll up and stay in a designated room with multiple people so out of the blue, with no casualties or life threatening injuries, then quite frankly it's possible to do most anything in life. That's what earplugs were made for.

The Cambridge dictionary defines the High Life as - "an exciting way of living in which rich and successful people enjoy themselves by spending a lot of time and money in fashionable places."

So, with this description in mind, then the idea of going to Bangkok is definitely living the High Life. Keeping in mind that staying hidden away with other like minded travelers, showering only if the mood strikes, taking the subway everyday and eating at 7/11 is involved, then absolutely. Congratulations, the High Life is yours.

Let's not forget what there is to see in Bangkok.

One of the first things a person might think about to do with Thailand, is Buddha. There are many Buddhist temples in Thailand, but the one with the biggest Buddha is, of course where you must go first.

Wat Pho, also spelled Wat Po, but its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn, houses a 46 meter, or 150 foot long, Buddha. It's called the Temple Of The Reclining Buddha, as seen here. There are 6 Temples in Thailand of first class royalty, and Wat Pho is number one on the list. See his eyes, so relaxed. It's such an effortless existence when you've achieved nirvana, knowing that all end to suffering is no more reincarnation, just death.

There was a stop by the cloister of Buddhas, respectfully all in a row. On an unrelated note to the picture but interesting all the same is that the Temple of Wat Pho was Thailand's first university. Teaching science, literature and religion through sculptures and murals, but most importantly, the traditional and herbal art of Thai Massage was first taught here in all of Thailand. This is an extremely important fact if you've walked this far in the sweltering sun and humidity, to know an air conditioned massage is waiting for you for a small fee.

And then there's this guy, who I believe to be a Chinese guardian figure. They pop up in pairs all around the perimeter, at every gate in Wat Pho, for protection. They were originally imported during trading times with China as ballast, or to provide stability for ships way back when.

He greets you at the door, and bids you adieu when you depart. This one was far too delightful to escape my camera.