friendsgiving

This was the first year being away from my family for Thanksgiving. This is the first year being in a country besides America for Thanksgiving. I was clueless and scared that my American traditions were going to fade away in Thailand. But, then it hit me.

I'm an adult, goddamnit! Now is the time I am allowed to create my own traditions, while doing my best to keep all the old ones. So, I grabbed Justin and put together a Friendsgiving, inviting all my close friends in Bangkok together in our home.

To continue reading about my Thanksgiving in Bangkok, click to read more.

bangkok stonehenge

To my understanding, Bangkok Stonehenge (real name being Hopewell Construction) was once a development project that began in 1990. The plan was to construct an elevated train system to take people to the airport. However, the funding was cut in 1992 and since then, these large pillars remain, overtaken by foliage and graffiti.

I gained interest in visiting this 'Stonehenge' when a fellow photographer mentioned to me these pillars will soon be torn down in order to make way for construction to begin over again. This easy trip cost about 23 baht in total (< one US dollar) and didn't take up much time.

So, you're interested in taking this trip because my descriptive words and beautiful imagery have convinced you?! Wow, that means a lot. If you do want to visit, start off at the Hua Lamphong Train Station which is connected directly to the Hua Lamphong MRT station. The train station is ornate and smells of cat urine. This combination is both confusing and concerning.

hong kong 香港

Since moving to Thailand, I've seen a lot. I worked for awhile as a travel journalist and photographer. It was my job to explore the city and document the places that tourists would like to see. This was such a terrific way to see things that maybe I wouldn't have seen on my own time. I ate at beautiful restaurants on the river, I got lost trying to find tiny Indian markets and sweated through so many clothes I was doing on the daily.

Now, I'm working at a more "regular" job. I'm the senior publicist at a public relations firm in central Bangkok called Midas PR. I have a flexible schedule and I'm enjoying it for the most part. But, I haven't traveled anywhere in a long time. It was time to see something new again. 

Hong Kong was not at the top of my list. Mostly because I knew how expensive it was and even though you may think from my extremely good looks and extravagant lifestyle (lol.) that I am made of moneys. I am not. This is not the case. My boyfriend's parents insisted - over and over - we see Hong Kong and finally pushed us to do so. And I'm so very happy. 

We visited for three short days - just enough to grab a taste of the city, enough to make me want to absolutely come back again to visit longer. It's an extremely dense - crowded city but it runs efficiently and everyone seems to speak English well. This is such a contrast from Bangkok, where I so often find myself in interactions with Thai people and we just can't communicate. It was nice to banter with people- to tell the waitress I like her ring and to ask for directions from a stranger.

bangkok art & culture centre

The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) is a contemporary arts hub located in the center of Bangkok. Today, I had the pleasure of visiting and exploring the endless options of art, culture, design, theatre and film. Cultural and educational events alike take place in its exhibition areas and performance spaces. The BACC includes many art galleries, chic cafes, bookshops, unique craft stores and even an art library.

Construction for the BACC started in 2005 and was complete three years later. It is equipped with nine floors arranged around a beautiful atrium.

The BACC's mission states that it "visualizes itself as a centre of cultural diversity for a sustainable social development". Essentially, the centre hopes to create a meeting place for artists and to provide a culturally friendly environment for the community.

The art centre features new, creative art exhibitions each month. A calendar of all the upcoming exhibitions can be found on the BACC website or on the outside of the centre itself.

One of the exhibitions I visited today was called "Crow" The 1st Solo Exhibition. I had the pleasure of meeting the artist whose name is Ravi Gitsanalom. This exhibition runs until February 28 and can be found on the second floor.

Something really neat about the BACC is its mission to not only showcase artists' work but to encourage the community to get involved in artistic and cultural expression. As soon as you get into the BACC, centered around the atrium are creative craft shops, portrait artists ready to paint for you and even a self jewelry-making store. Walking around the BACC sets for you a feeling of creative inspiration.

A store called "happening" is what caught my attention first. Its a kind of crafty, artistic store featuring handmade journals, postcards, notebooks, etc from all around Thailand and more.

These portrait artists can complete beautiful drawings within minutes for customers.

The true highlight of my experience at the BACC was discovering the plethora of quaint coffee shops and small eateries. If I took photos of all of the different cafes in the BACC, we would be here all day. I picked out my favorite cafe named Gallery Drip Coffee and a small ice cream shop called IceDEA.

BACC is open from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and closed on Mondays. Entry to the BACC is free unless you want to explore the seventh, eighth and ninth floors. In which that case you are asked to obtain a pass that requires you to deposit your belongings in a locker before entering. The fee for this is 100 baht. Photography is allowed in the BACC except on the seventh, eighth and ninth floors.

Getting to the BACC is very easy as it is right off of the BTS. It is a short walk off of the BTS stop National Stadium. From there you can take a bridge that connects the BACC with the BTS. You won't be able to miss it.

Overall, the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre is definitely a piece of the city to explore. It only takes an hour or so to see the centre. To find out more about the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, visit the website.

Here's to art!

a fellow wanderer | kathleen brandt

Having been traveling for awhile now, I have met many like-minded people. Travelers love sharing stories and have many of them. The world is such a big & beautiful place - differing so frequently.

This is the first in a series that gives me the chance to discuss & then share an in-depth look into a friend's travel experiences and how those experiences helped shaped and change them.

This first one is very special to me because it is for one of my dear friends who is still state-side. Today- is her birthday. What a better way to celebrate the life of a wonderful person than to share her wonderful tales (and beautiful writing) with the world.