Just another day in Bangkok

Previously, I would have thought - hey, a 'legally blonde beverly hills chihuahua'.  but it's probably a shih tzu.  At any rate, in the West, it would warrant notice, in Bankok, it's business as usual.

Why in the world was a shih tzu standing on top of a cab in Bangkok?  And why in a Tesco parking lot?  Lord only knows.  But it was, and here's the proof.  And, in Bangkok, it's just another day.

Wonderful Lebanese in Thailand - Beirut Restaurant!

I grew up at a time when Lebanon and Beirut was synonymous with destruction, ruin, and fallen US marines.  I am old enough to remember pictures on tv of a bomb crater in Beirut that used to be a barracks for US peacekeeping troops.

So imagine my fascination when I studied history, and learned of the history and culture of Lebanon.  And when I read 'Fooled by Randomness', where the author, being from Lebanon, talked of Lebanon being the home of such a deep and rich and old culture of civilized, educated, tolerant people.

Nevertheless, when our Australian friends in Bangkok invited me to a Lebanese restaurant, my first thought was - does it taste like broken dreams, occupation, and dashed hopes - or just like humus?

As it turns out, it tastes like humus, but they spell it wrong.  Oh, and it is also one of the best (and, for the value and location, most reasonably priced) food experiences I've had in Bangkok. It's clear why it has three locations already.  So if you're in Bangkok and want some foreign food, get yourself immediately to Beirut restaurant:

http://www.cityjournalistdirectory.com/event/beirut_restaurant_bangkok/

And fix your menus, guys - seriously, there are enough alternate spellings, this is one you shouldn't get wrong.

Crab snacks

One thing I will say about Thailand - locals like snacks, and locals pay attention to detail when they feel its important to.  So Thailand excels at fine craftsmanship, and also at fine craftsmanship of snack foods.  

Check out these crab shaped snacks.  In the States, I have seen such attention to detail in a packaged food only in macaroni and cheese products (thanks, Kraft!).  And though the absence of boxed macaroni and cheese in Thailand disturbs me (I am an artisan when it comes to its preparation), I must say that I am consoled by the easy availability of such high quality processed snack foods.

And remember - snacks in a bag from a grocery store will always rank a distant, distant second to snacks procured on the streets of Bangkok.  So for how wonderful this crab shaped snack food is, think of something 10 times as wonderful, and that is Bangkok street food.

Singapore is a very clean place

If I had to choose three things to sum up Singapore, I'd probably choose a food vendor, a shopping mall, and this sign.  Singapore is one of the most spotlessly clean towns I've ever been in, and the idea of having a sign in a public restroom instructing one on how to scrub up in preparation for venturing out (or to perform open heart surgery) entirely fits with the rest of the town.  

While I was visiting Singapore in early May, folks there were concerned about swine flu, so the building I was working in was taking everyone's temperature and doing thermal scans of each person to walk in the door.

Singapore is a very interesting town to visit.  It feels more Western than most Western cities I've visited.  It is efficient, rational, and clean.  Its citizens are focused on progress, in both a personal and national sense.  It mixes different cultures and cuisines in remarkable harmony.

I'm glad I live in Bangkok, in part because of how organic, unplanned and chaotic it can be, but I'm glad I get to travel to such an orderly place as Singapore for business - the contrast is very enjoyable.

Drinking from the bucket of joy

A sign at a great vendor selling soy products.  I didn't try the soy milk, but I did try the soy bean ice cream, and it did indeed fill me with joy overflowing.

More food from Singapore

Some roast chicken and 'four seasons beans' at a place famous for roast chicken (it said 'spicy', but I'm so used to hot Thai food by now I added some chili to make it as spicy as I hoped), and some spicy Japanese ramen noodles with the local brew.

One of the best things to do in Singapore is eat!

Churning the Ocean of Milk at the airport

A recent addition to the international airport in Bangkok is a sculpture of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk situated after you get through immigration on your way out of town.  This is the same story that you saw so wonderfully represented in stone at the Angkor temples in Cambodia.

Amazing how this (originally Indian) mythology not only spread through the region, but retains meaning even today.