Sunday, January 04, 2009

Sunsets in Bangkok

I have heard it said that pollution will give you some gorgeous sunsets...it may well be true. From our hotel window (25th floor) we watched a gorgeous orange-red sun sink into the west - actually behind the city skyscrapers. The photo hardly does it justice.
Following...we wandered along the streets, finally ending up eating in a place along the river - with dancers coming in to entertain the guests. The dances were in the "traditional" style, with elaborate costumes and imaginative masks. The story is generally from the "Ramakien" which is a traditional tale of the triumph of good over evil.
They pay a lot of attention to detail. The costumes are gorgeous, ornate and I'm certain terribly hot and heavy. The movements are very precise and stylized, with the women's hands being particularly expressive. Some of the moves they make - especially when wearing LONG metal fingernails - requires years of practice. It's quite amazing to watch.

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