Address: 9/1 Chaengwattana Road, Pak Kret, Thailand
Attraction Location
Tulip Non Garden Videos
The Avenue Chaengwattana, Nonthaburi, Thailand
(I'm uploading a lot of old videos because I've beena slacker lately. These aren't in chronological order, but oh well. Enjoy!) This video is from Christmas 2007, and it shows the Avenue Mall on Chaengwattana Road in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Since it is within walking distance from my Center, it is my favorite hang out. I'm such a mallrat! :-P
Initial Thai plans were simple leisure before embarking on the nine-week volunteering mission. Renting a condo, the beach, a sunset... and perhaps another 'food fighting' piece- snake blood, shark fin, deep-fried insects or the like.
As per usual, within two days of arrival I find myself knee deep in it however. Bangkok is always sprinkled with mayhem, but after over three months of flooding things are a tad more chaotic than usual. Cars lining the shoulders of bridges and elevated roads, sand bag barricades surrounding buildings, empty convenience and grocery store shelves and hardly a bottle of water available at any store in the capital.
The idea of whipping up freshly cooked food and hand delivering to the most recently inundated came from my new Thai friends. We loaded up 50 packed meals, dinner buns and hit the road. I'm proud to say we ventured much deeper than the local media, which set up shop along the highway and didn't dare venture into the filthy, leech infested, waters of the villages just hit.
The neighborhood resilience is nothing short of remarkable. Serving popcorn and proceeding to fish the freshly flooded waters- we're greeted with crowds of smiles, just happy to see foreigners giving a second thought. The locals immediately offer water after trekking the murky waters far past what the boats or pick-ups would take us. We suggest they preserve the precious clean H20 and instead opt for spirited refreshments. What else is there to do when such natural disaster strikes?
Acceptance, a resolute grin in the face of certain trauma, is gripping faith in better days to come. Laughing while you wish to cry separates survival from perish. This too shall pass and the sun shall shine again. -30-
Music: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis Rather Lovely Thing, Another Rather Lovely Thing Nick-Cave.com