Going to Bali!

[Patrick]

ummm.... this question is a little out there, but why do some vegetarians NOT consider fish meat... it's crazy and there's no way to sway me into thinking otherwise. The answer is always... "it's just not. Fish isn't meat, it's 'fish'." Well then I guess pork isn't meat, it's pig. ??

Have fun in Bali.

[pam]

Hi Kim!
You are too cute! I'm as excited to leave for Europe so I understand how you're feeling
I know where your hotel is situated and it's very well located. Foodland is a great supermarket and you know what? In Foodland on Soi 5, there is like a mini restaurant right in front - it's like a long wooden bar that serves food 24 hours. It's soooooooooo yummy. You will find it packed till whee hours of the night

MBK is good. You would take the train from the NANA station. Your destination would be NATIONAL STADIUM. You would however have to change trains in the SIAM stop.
Now, if you plan on going to shop in Siam Square, you could go there and then just walk to MBK (It's like 5-10 minute walk) They both carry similar things, MBK is a 5 story mall, while Siam Square is like 4 streets. MBK is also really good, you'd find great deals there. If youre interested in buying Cell phones and stuff like that, the top floor is all tech stuff. There are more shoes in MBK too, generally MBK has a lot of everything. However, i find Siam Square a little more "hip" so to say. But I too shop in MBK for cool tops and belts and such. You could spend a whole afternoon there...dont forget to bargain!!!!

Okay, that sentence just said that you do not eat pork. Also, thai people wouldn't understand if you wrote it in english characters, they would have to be thai. The easiest thing to do is when you check in to the hotel, ask the receptionist or go to the concierge and ask them to write it for you on a piece of paper.
In thai, "chan pen khon jai" = I'm a vegetarian
"Chan kin kai, nua, moo, kap pah mai dai" = "I don't eat chicken, beef, pork, and seafood"
Thai people can understand simple things, if you're at the restaurant you can tell your server "I'm vegetarian..I only eat vegetables" they will understand you..just speak slowly. Also, menus are in English/Thai so it won't be a problem!
when are you expected in BKK?

[Kim]

The menus are in Thai and English?? That's great!

And I will definately ask at the hotel to have it written in Thai-I had some serious communication issues about it in Spain and I don't want to go down that road again!
I think it's best to have to whole sentence like you said: I (I don't eat chicken, beef, pork, and seafood), that way there is no confusion! By the way, it was from my Lonely Planet guide that I got that other one and their defination of it was "I only eat vegetarian food" -that's terrible! Poor vegetarians getting only the pork taken out! ;D

We are leaving Sept.12-in 12 days! It's too bad you weren't going to be there-it would have been nice to meet up!

Kim

[pam]

Yeah I would have loved to taken you around BKK and shown you around. Too bad huh? Anyways you can always still email me after I leave on the 7th and I will get in touch with you asap as I have internet access at the place I am staying. If there is anything for now - let me know!

[Kim]

Thanks for all your help Pam, it really helps to have someone to bounce questions off it-esp. someone living there!

Same goes for me-email me if you need any help with anything while in Europe.

(My suitcase is already in my living room, it wants to go on the plane! )

Kim

[Sara]

I also am a vegetarian - do you have any advice for when I travel to Europe next summer? I do eat seafood occasionally if there aren't any other options but
I am working on cutting it out of my diet completely. Please give me any advice you can on ordering and stuff in Europe. Thanks.

Sara

[Patrick]

No experience myself in this area, but I believe it would be a good idea to just write out on a piece of paper as Kim did "I do not eat meat... etc." in whatever languages you'll be encountering on your trip. That way if you run into folks who don't speak english you can communicate this with them.

This is another area where purchasing your own food from the grocery store can come in handy. But if you're not fussy on that, don't worry - most restaurants have vegetarian options.

[pam]

hey kim,
i just wanted to remind you that if youre "street shopping" and stuff, all the stuff is fake - although they look soooooooooooooo real, they are fake! so please don't believe all the shop/stall vendors in MBK, Siam Square, the Nightmarket as all the goods are just copies of the original stuff.
The worst is going home and thinking you ONLY spent 100$ on an original gucci wallet...when it was only worth like 10$ because its fake!
-pam

[Kim]

Thanks, Pam! I will tell my boyfriend that as he is the one into brands, I just like getting good deals!

So....I went and bought material and they were having this huge sale so it was dirt cheap (as in $1.99-3.99 Canadian a meter.. ) and I'm sure you see where I am heading with this...

I have so much material-you would die laughing!
And it's bloody heavy, too!!! Too funny. At least my suitcase has wheels.

I've printed pictures off the internet for each thing to take with me too, to show them.

I think I might get the things made in Bali though, now that I have half a fabric store in my suitcase. That way if there are things that require a few fittings, it won't be rushed.

Is the Chatuchak market worth going to? Or do you think the weather will be too bad to make it worth going to? I know we are hitting Bankok in the rainy season but not really sure how bad that means it is.

Talk to you soon,
Kim