’Pong has just published another photo essay from Bangkok, this time some “happy snaps” of a birthday party for Paul Hamon. Paul used to work with me in Adelaide on The Core magazine and has been a rave promoter ever since. He now lives in Bangkok.
Unreliable Bangkok 1: Smell
When I arrived in Bangkok a fortnight ago, the first thing I noticed was the smell. But before I discuss matters of odour, let me explain how I’ll bring you my traveller’s tales…
As I’ve mentioned before, I wanted to spend my time in Thailand experiencing the country, not writing. I didn’t want to see it through the viewfinder of a camera either, but directly with my own eyes. So I didn’t take notes, and my only photos are a few pimple-cam images for reference.
Now that I’m back in Sydney, I’ll write a daily essay. Each one will be a personal, even idiosyncratic reflection. I probably won’t write about tourist things. Indeed, ’Pong and I avoided most standard tourist sites. But without notes, this will be an Unreliable Bangkok memoir — hence the title.
So, smell…
Senator Penny Wong
Annabel Crabb has written a superb profile of Senator Penny Wong, Australia’s new Minister for Climate Change and Water. Alas, this was not the best way for me to discover that the death of her younger brother, my very good mate Toby Wong, was a suicide. I miss you, you crazy man.
Flash flood!
As a line of thunderstorms rolled across Sydney yesterday afternoon, the city was hit with a downpour. As my pimple-cam photo taken near Central Station shows, water was around 30cm deep in Pitt Street — note the woman immersed to her knees!
About 20 millimetres of rain fell in the CBD in just 10 minutes — which happens only once every two to five years, said a Bureau of Meteorology forecaster, Chris Webb. In the hour to 5pm, 29 millimetres of rain were recorded in the city.
A man died when an awning collapsed in Balgowlah. The State Emergency Service took more than 70 calls for help.
You can see more photos via the Sydney Morning Herald.
You should stop…
This is the “best joke I’ve heard in a while”, says my friend Richard:
I went to see my doctor today. He told me I should stop masturbating.
I asked him why.
He said, “Because I’m trying to examine you.”
[Update: This joke was found at Crying all the way to the fish shop. Ta, Richard.]
Back!
OK, I’m back in Sydney. Did I miss anything?