I have just bought some lottery tickets, something which I wouldn’t normally indulge in. I happened to need some money for a new water tank and the repair of the water pump. Things in hardware shops have risen by more than 100% for many essential items such as water tank. My water tank was quite old and there was a leak which couldn’t be repaired. So, I had to buy a new water tank and try to get some special glue for my friend, the kind builder, to repair the old one. It would be nice if he could repair the leak so that we could store rain water in the old tank.
No traffic jam outside city center.
That’s why I had to take a bus into city center to find out about some hot glue which could repair plastic water tank. I took the hot bus, without air-conditioner, towards the busy financial district called Sathorn where traffic jam could last more than an hour during rainy days. It was good to take a bus ride from time to time as I could observe changes in the cityscape along the way.
Traffic jam in Sathorn road.
There were more new cars on the busy road and more new skyscrapers on Sathorn road. Several foreign banks and companies, embassies and restaurants, five star hotels could be seen dotted along Sathorn road. There used to be canals running along this road towards the Chao Phraya River. There were lots of old trees lining these canals. Nowadays the canal were gone, they were transformed into the wide Sathorn road. Expats liked to live in big condos in Sathorn road.
The entrance to Christ Church (1905), Anglican Church in Sathorn road. The Queen Elizabeth ll, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Margarette Thatcher had visited this old church! I attended a wedding here long time ago.
The entrance to the ‘central park’ or Lumphinee Park in Wireless road.
The bus crossed the busy junction to leave the traffic jam in Sathorn road. This old Wireless road used to be flanked by canal which would connect with a small river making it possible to travel to other parts of Bangkok by boats. Wireless road has major embassies with super tight security gates such as Japanese, American embassies and the residence of the US ambassador.
This road was the only road in Bangkok in which old trees over a hundred years’ old could still be seen along the road. We had to thank the American ambassador who requested the authority not to cut down those trees when the road was being widened and reconstructed. The authority thought those trees were in thd way of expanding the width of Wirelrss road. They were supposed to cut all those big trees. But the request meant that this road has become the most beautiful and greenest road in Bangkok.
I didn’t mind the brief traffic jam in Wireless road as I could always enjoy those trees and scenery along the way. The traffic jam could get really bad when there were wedding parties taking place in luxurious hotels in this road. The motorcades of politicians, wealty guests and the paparazzi could make commuters very miserable for more than an hour. In used to enjoy going to parties in these hotels as the food and sweets were heavenly. Those were the good old days of fast lifestyle and high society parties.
Life has changed so much and so unexpected just like the old narrow Wireless road flanked by canals and trees turning into six lane traffic in less than sixty years. I had to get off at the last stop on this road and climb the steep walkway towards the modern hardware shop called HomePro near the skytrain station. This store is conveniently located among office buildings, skyscrapers and prestigious condominiums.
Most customers in this store are usually foreigners who have long holiday in service apartments and expats who work for foreign companies in this area. The ambience in the store was very nice and efficiently organised to satisfy high end customers. The service is very good and the merchandise is very comprehensive. I could always learn new things by discussing about my construction or repairing problems with some staff.
I was informed by a staff of a local hardware shop to look for special hot glue for repairing the old plastic water tank. With the help of the kind staff, I could find only one kind of hot glue which might be the useful. So, I took photos of the glue to show the friendly builder in the countryside. We would have to discuss about the best way to make the old eater tank leak proof again.
By the time I came out of the HomePro, the sky was changing to evening mode. The rush hours would begin soon so I should try to avoid this phase by visiting another store in search of black rum. My friend in Nongkhai, who was very keen on cooking and baking, had asked me to find a bottle of cheap black rum for him. He wanted to use it in some cake. I had no idea where to find this as I rarely bought any alcohol. I went to a department store with a large section on spirits and wine.
The staff helped me locate black rum, but they were very expensive. I asked for cheaper rum for cooking but there was none. So, I took photos to send to my friend. I thought he could have used some cheap brandy which could be easily found in small town. My trip was half successful as I didn’t manage to buy any of the items on my mind.
I wanted to be sure that these were the exact items relevant to the our purpose. I found out that Barcadi black rum could be ordered online with free delivery. I have yet to find out more about other choices of hot glue for mending the water tank. Bangkok and Wireless road havr drastically changed during the past five years. It seemed the area has become very high end with lots of foreigners and more expensive eateries.
There’s a lot of wealthy residents in this road. However, the old trees makes the ambience very friendly and welcoming. I hope material changes wouldn’t harden people’s hearts and the natural surroundings would ground people in a down to earth attitude.
Wishing you peace, good health and prosperity.
Stay strong and healthy.
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