Good morning, Bangkok

Near 5 am the sky started to get lighter and we noticed the sights outside were changing. The pavement got more smooth, the street lights were more regular, and we were driving on an actual highway. We knew we were getting close! After an hour we finally arrived at a huge, overwhelming bus station where our country director Nat and his dad were waiting to drive us to his house. We were grateful to be saved from all the taxi drivers (we started referring to them as vultures), and we rode in Nat’s family’s van back to their house. I didn’t really get any pictures of the house, but it was the nicest place we’ve been in Thailand! Decorated beautifully in a gorgeous gated community—with access to a private lake! We took a spin around the lake in a paddle boat before an awesome breakfast of rice with cilantro, fish balls, garlic, and spices all mixed in to our individual liking. Nat’s driver took us to the nearest LDS chapel where we were able to attend sacrament meeting. We didn’t have the time to make a trip all the way downtown to an English ward so yet again we listened through a Thai meeting and sang the hymns in what probably sounds way off to everyone in the congregation, but we really loved the experience to worship with the Thai saints in such a big city!

After church we set out to see the city. We started in a very crowded area where vendors block the sidewalk and you feel like anyone around you could be pickpocketing you—a pretty overwhelming first taste of the city! We stopped at a small restaurant with a lot of character for lunch. Big cities have so much character.

Deep in menu comtemplation 

Light bulb light art

 Dog art

Next we walked to the major attraction of Bangkok, the Grand Palace. Every visitor must have their shoulders and knees covered, so while we waited for some people in our group to rent pants, a family approached Justin and asked him if their son could ask him a couple questions for a class..so random! The son was so shy and his mom ended up asking all the questions, and we could tell he felt awkward, so the whole thing was just too funny. For the first time since we’ve been in Thailand, someone made a Justin Timberlake reference before a Justin Bieber one. Sad how refreshing that was!

Surrounded by Thai people

This kid is obviously having the time of his life..more like he's embarrassed of his mom!

No one in our group wanted to pay to go inside the palace, so we had them take a picture of us in front of it and promised eachother we’d be back the next morning. Nat compared it to what the Colusseum is to Italy, so we didn’t want to miss it!

Next stop was the Golden Mount, which used to be the highest structure in Bangkok before it was modernized. It’s basically this dome-shaped building with a staircase winding around it up to the top with a great view of the city around it.

Gong ringing, a model of the Golden Mount, beautiful views of the city

(Trying our hand at collages so we don't suffocate you with vacation photos..be patient while we figure it out!)

Next we visited the oldest university in Thailand. People who study there are the ones who end up working for the king or in government, so it’s a pretty big deal. Also, most Thai royalty studies abroad, but current king’s daughter was the first person of the royal family to graduate from a Thai university, and she graduated from this one! Graduation is coming up, so there were groups of graduates in fancy robes having photo shoots all around the university grounds. It was pretty entertaining to watch!

 Paparazzi picture of this guy's photoshoot

Beautiful architecture at the university 

Justin's a cutie

 Hunger Games-themed new student orientation. May the salamander be ever in your favor!

We ended our evening with noodle night at Nat’s house. We were glad to be there on Sunday evening for it! We slurped delicious noodle soup while watching Thailand’s Got Talent (click here for a taste—hilarious!). It was a great experience for us to hang out and we’re grateful for Nat’s family for taking us in for the day, driving us around everywhere, feeding us a delicious dinner, and helping us find our hostel. We haven’t experienced Thai hospitality to that degree yet!

Elephant tusks at Nat's house. They're enormous!

Nat and his dad drove us through the confusing one way streets and highways, and navigated us to our hostel at about eight. We were ready to settle in, since we didn’t exactly have the most restful sleep on the bus the night before. The city could wait until we were ready for it!