A day off in Bangkok - Shabbat Sawadee
11/3/07
Shabbat…a day of rest and relaxation and taking care of some business. I went with several of the ladies from the study tour to some clothing shops and tailors and after purchasing several silk kimonos for my wife and daughter had to make my exit…I’m still convinced that as far as shopping goes, a guy takes care of business and is ready for flight while women can spend days…. I hailed a Tuk-Tuk and explored the city and relied on my driver to take me to the appropriate places for me to acquire gifts and souvenirs for friends and family. I must say that the drivers have a definite agenda and want to take you to specific shopping venues where they apparently get some kind of kickback for bringing their customers. I found that I had to be friendly but firm to keep the driver on my agenda and not his agenda and go to the places that I and not he wanted to go. Driving around in the Tuk-Tuk is a great way to see Bangkok and to experience all the sights, sounds and smells of the city. After this exploration, I only hoped that I had made the right selections…confirmation for which would only be known upon my return home. The group got together again in the evening for Havdallah and then off to dinner.