Thursday, October 26. The Base Adventure began today, meaning I had to sit through One More Introductory Briefing. Yada, yada, yada. Six new fellow travelers.

Drove out into the suburbs to a family “Home” which doubled as a showroom. They gave a cooking demonstration for red curry paste and red curry with chicken. Not my cup of tea. Everyone else was fascinated. Had lunch with the usual assortment of dishes. Then had a tour of their Spirit Room, which was filled with family memorials, mementos and keepsakes.

Because the day was supposed to be temple-free, I had chosen to have both my pants put in the laundry. But Trip Leader “Are” had to change the schedule and added a temple with a reclining buddha. Since I didn’t have pants to cover my knees, I couldn’t go. Just as well, as I actually wanted to go elsewhere. I took an exhilarating ride in a tuk-tuk (three wheeled motorbike) to Jim Thompson’s House. Even more than others, he drove as though he was late to a wedding. I lost my hat at one point and he deftly turned around to retrieve it.

Jim Thompson was one of the most famous foreigners in Southeast Asia in the 50s and 60s, having nearly singlehandedly rebuilt the Thai silk business. His silks dressed the actors in The King and I. He built a house (more accurately, a series of connected structures) using wood from demolished old houses to hold his collection of old Asian fashion and art. Beautifully built, though with odd twists. No two doors were exactly alike. The required tour was sadly quick, focusing more on the contents than the house itself. The tour ended in the silk store (duh), where a tie went for $100. Discounted shirts $150. Part of Thompson’s fame is that he went out for a simple walk in 1967 and disappeared. It was quite a sensation.

Walked back to the hotel. About 2.5 miles. Hot and humid, but I’m adjusting. Got a good photo of one of the strangest skyscrapers I’ve even seen. Walked through two malls to cool off. Halloween is a very big thing here. Walked through some neighborhoods that are not on anyone’s tour route (past an exceptionally ugly Russian Embassy). Ate at an Irish bar, once again watching cricket. I’d like to eat at one of the kiosks, but I’m afraid of their sanitation.