Melting in Thailand

I have written to you about Bangkok before--the Bangkok of ritzy malls that sell Maseratis, and  the Bangkok of  106-foot reclining Buddhas. (see the attachment in my email if you want to read that again).
THIS Bangkok is the Bangkok of fingernails and condoms.

First, fingernails:
Here is a picture of my taxi driver:

How can he drive with those nails?
And yes, they are REAL.

And here is a picture of a beautiful Thai dancer:

No,they're not real--but isn't she beautiful?

And now the condoms:

My main reason for making a stop in chaotic Bangkok was to see a dentist.  I had 2 days between treatments, so went to Pattaya, a town downriver from Bangkok, along the bay, to see my friend Len, an American expat who has lived there for decades.  Thank God for Len, as I would not have survived the traffic, or the exhausting heat without him.  For dinner, we went to a Restaurant called "Cabbages and Condoms".  Catchy name, no?

The man who runs it has been instrumental in implementing family planning in Thailand.  He chose this name for two reasons I could see:  Have fewer kids and you can plant more cabbages....OR  condoms should be as common as cabbages.  Either way, the place is decorated in them (condoms, not cabbages!).  Here are a few of the classier models:

An idea for next Halloween!
Yes, That is Santa Condom on the left.

But it wasn't all frivolity.  We also went to The Sanctuary of Truth--and this place is even harder to describe than mannequins dressed in condoms.  Check out: http://www.sanctuaryoftruth.com/

Here's what they say:   With in this complex, visitors will understand Ancient Life, Human Responsibility, Basic Thought, Cycle of living, Life Relationship with Universe and Common Goal of Life toward Utopia.

Wow! and I was there!  As Len said, Notre Dame has nothing on this.

The inside is covered with wooden carvings.  They have been working on this place for three generations.

Just to give you an idea:

Larger than life elephants

Plus, real elephants and puppets: 

Some of you may know that Pattaya is known throughout Thailand as the center for sex tourism.  It is full of bars, trans shows,and who-knows what.  Len organizes a program that gets  free condoms to hotels and bars.  I commend his work.  He told me that the only place for anonymous HIV testing is an hour from town, which makes no sense. When Len took me to the bus station he mentioned that I must be the only person to come to Pattaya and not see any of the seamy parts.  OK with me, I replied.  Bangkok is known as a city with a brothel; Pattaya is known as a brothel with a city.  I saw the city. 

Change of subject:

Curious about the dentist?

Bangkok is a health care mecca...beautiful hospitals (complete with Starbucks) and staff trained in the US.

I know people who have gotten entire hip replacements, plus they get to recover on a Thai beach.

My crown turned out to fit perfectly.  AND the price tag was 60% of what it would have cost me in the US (Take note American dentists!).  I could actually send you a picture of the crown...but not to worry, I will spare you that. 

Next stop:  The Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon and into the arms of Rick Berg!  Stay tuned....