A Seven Hours Walk.

14.08.2013

Bangkok

A seven hours walk. Alone. Saving my saliva. Observing my surroundings. Only the camera shutter speaks. I had a vague itinerary in my mind, not sure to pursue it alone. Fears. Will I do well on my own? What if I'm lost? I'm not fluent in Thai, will I be understandable? Will it be fun? 

Anxious, fearful owing to my nature, I'm heading to my journey with no confidence.

I have not much time left to (re)explore the city before flying back. A little piece of freedom ahead. Walking under the heat to get on an AC metro, and then feeling the wind and the overheating motor of a boat. When I don't know where to go, I follow the move. I just have an advantage, I can speak/understand a bit of Thai and look like one. I can go to Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew for free but especially without to queue up. I'm a tourist but I'm not. 

I walk at my own pace. I can take as much photographs as I want or decide to pass. My guide book is my Bible. My only break is my late lunch time.

I then head to one of the lungs of the city. Lumphini Park. Where many jog. I sat on a bench for twenty minutes, sipping water and relaxing my legs, and recovering from the heat. Until the anthem sounds out through speakers. Six post meridiem. The whole park was standing as one. The city stopped for less than a minute. Surreal.

A seven hours walk. I'm sweating and exhausted but I'm happy.