Bangkok Top Ten

Top 10 things I like about Bangkok:
10. BTS or Bangkok Sky Train. (It would be higher on the list if they finished it, but only about 1/10th of it is complete). It is fast and easy and gets you many places.
9. Free yoga classes (or tai chi or aerobics, etc.) in public spaces.
8. Street Food, everywhere all the time. Fresh fruit, juice, meat or squid barbecued on a stick, rice and meat in banana leaf, donuts, dried fish, you name it. Food, everywhere all the time.
7. Chulalongkorn University Campus, a quieter place in the middle of 12 million people. Lucky to be living here.
6. Chao Praya River, a place to catch a breeze and views while taking the river ferry to get around the city.
5. Shopping, everywhere all the time. There is so much shopping it is amazing. You can buy top end stuff to everyday needs on the street, along the transit lines, in malls and markets. Things are open seven days a week.
4. Noodle Soup for breakfast. This is just brilliant.
3. Lumphini Park, a green oasis in the middle of the city. I can run through campus to the park and back avoiding most traffic.
2. Meals are basically under $1, $2 if you splurge.
1. Thai Massage, $6 for an hour. Can't beat it.

Top 10 things I don't like about Bangkok:
10. 12+ million people
9. Disparity of incomes
8. Shopping everywhere all the time (see #5 above)
7. Noise, it is never quiet
6. Unknown "parts" in food. Do I have to explain more?
5. HEAT 90+ by 9:00 a.m.
4. Plastic Water Bottles. So many plastic water bottles.
3. Cockroaches
2. Traffic, it is SOOO bad you really can't even try to take a taxi between 4 and 8 p.m., you just don't move. You have to strategically think about how and when you might try and get somewhere.
1. Pollution. Miss the clean air of Northern Michigan.