I kept hearing over and over people telling me to go to Thailand to find gems. Okay, let's do it. Asked around and found a friend of a friend to stay with and a cheap flight. My homestay was just about up, and dengue fever was sort of floating around so I thought, fuck it I am going.
Basically the stars aligned and I jet. I couldn't stop smiling over there. It's like shopping on crack. I spent 2 days at the Chakuchak Market (JJ market) sourcing jewelry. I picked up a few sweet leather jackets from the vintage section. It was banana's. I have to go back.
Then I cruised around the Si Lom area chatting with all of the jewelry makers and had a custom laser engraved RISING BLUE stamp made. I bought turquoise and crystals from the coolest little boho shop.
Shopped China town with a new friend Jeed who works in the high fashion industry in Bangkok. She helps customers who are dropping 10k for a handbags as they literally step over the begging people at the door. It's mind blowing.
My mate Matt, who I stayed with, is a pretty amazing street artist in Bangkok. He and some buddies are putting on an show called BANGKOK UNBALANCED, exposing the strange landscape of extreme wealth and shocking poor that is smashed together creating the craziest city in the world. Check it here.
Pretty cool stuff going on in Bangkok. Totally different from the easy life in Bali.