Saturday, July 20, 2013

May Kaidee's Vegetarian and Vegan Cooking School

The fastest way to hit the ground running in Bangkok seems to be to join expat clubs. I'm checking out Vegetarian meet ups, Indian cooking classes, raw cooking classes, and began checking in at American Women's Club events. Sarah, another expat I met through J's work, took me to an AWC coffee event to scope out the club. It turns out that the AWC is open to people from any nationality, making it a diverse group of women. It was my good luck that the AWC was scheduled to visit a vegetarian cooking class this past Thursday: synchronicity, at its best!!
Sarah and I set out for 'school' Thursday morning and found ourselves in a chaotic part of the city with narrow alleys and a maze of vendor stalls. We wove through backstreets on foot, until we came upon May Kaidee's home and school.
May is a local celebrity, appearing on both Thai and international cooking shows. She is a ambassador for Traditional Thai culture: practicing singing, dancing, and cooking.
It is easy to see how she became a success: she is a teeny woman but a powerhouse of energy. She has a magic ability to get the stiff expats out of their comfort zones and into song and dance. We sang the 'Tam Yam Soup' recipe song written by the Royal family. We sang the "sap sap" song, which explains, "yum yum, my cooking is too spicy but you keep eating it anyway because the favors are so delicious." In my experience, that is an accurate description of authentic Thai food: much hotter than what we get in the U.S!
Here are the few photos that we snapped. I didn't remember to take photos of the food, so I'll be sure to share images when I practice at home, using her cookbook.
 
 
 

 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

A Sexy Teddy

Bangkok youth culture is heavily influenced by the Japanese phenomenon called Kawaii. "Kawaii" translates as "cute." All things adorable, miniaturized, and child like are Kawaii. The fashionistas wear knee socks and outfits that hint of the school girl uniform. The malls are stuffed with comic creatures that really do elicit an uncontrollable sigh and an "aww how cute!" I'm fighting my inner 10 year old and avoiding purchasing cartoon Tupperware and pencil sets!

 

The Thai Sports Drink

I am beginning to love this city. Hot, tired, and running low on electrolytes? How about an ice-cold young coconut! 1.29 USD for sweet relief from the heat. The juice vendor tried to be very slick about taking my photo...so I just laughed and pulled out my camera too...
 
 

 

Kuala Lumpur

We took a very quick trip to Kuala Lumpur this weekend. Here are our Petronas Antennas! (Sounds like a magic spell from Harry Potter!)

 

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Start Picking Out Your Birthday Gifts!

Keyboard cushions...

 

This is my favorite: Tupperware made specifically for your bedtime cookies! (For Shaun!)

The robot the right is for Megan, the robot on the left is for Katie!
For your next 4th of July picnic...
I think these really are meant for birthdays?! For 158 USD you could have one for each day of the year and use the set as a calendar!
 

 

The Neighborhood

Here's a glimpse of the hood at 7pm, as people are getting off of work.

Walking out the front door of the Emporium Hotel and Shopping Center: Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Furla!

Looking North towards the Phrom Phong stop at the Sky Train on Sukhumvit Road: the main artery of the city.
Looking East down Sukhumvit Road...
Don't be mislead by the cardigans you spot in the photos! The extra layer is for modesty, not comfort! It's a balmy 85 degrees, 85% humidity.
Looking south down Sukhumvit Soi 24. Our new condo will be about 1/4 mile down Soi 24, on the East side of the street.

 

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Asia Herb Association

When selecting a downtown neighborhood to call home, J had one major priority: to be located on a road with multiple routes to his office. My priority was to be on the same road as Asia Herb Association. Multiple people recommended the massage joint for the Traditional Thai treatments. Experience has shown that it is also clean, inviting, not a place of prostitution (its easy to make that mistake) and is the best bang for your Bhat.
Check out this magic: building on the left - our hotel. Building in the foreground - Asia Herb!
...private treatment rooms for singles or couples massages...
A two hour massage with a herb ball bath is 35 USD. "What is an herbal ball bath?" It is a delightful therapeutic treatment where a sweet Thai woman sponge bathes you with a hot herb compress immediately following a 90 minute massage. I can't decide which scenario best describes the feeling:
Like being a...
A) Royal bride, receiving the pre wedding bathing, perfuming, and primping by maidens
B) Impossibly overgrown baby enjoying your first sponge bath in decades
C) Deceased Egyptian at the very beginning stages of the mummification process
Here is an image of the herb ball...
...here is where they store the freshly packed herbs, in a fridge, just like ricotta!!!...
...and here are it's beneficial properties...
I will be sure to try out all of the treatment options before you come to visit, so I can suggest the best options. (Just being hospitable!)