As generally we refer to the five senses I'll try to describe the sensorial attack according to these senses.
Sight. The grey of the sky, mixed with the concrete-grey of hundreds of skyscrapers, roads, elevated pedestrian bridges and elevated train tracks. This prevalent grey contrasts with the gold of temple and shrines, with the colorful taxis and tuk-tuks, and at night with the thousands colorful neon signs.Smell. The smell of food from the stalls mixes itself up with the warm stink coming up from the sewers you're walking on concealed as foothpaths; add a quite high amount of pollution as well. One moment you're filling your lounges with the gorgeous smell from the stalls (almost feeling hungry again), one moment you have to cover your mouth and nose and quickly move on.
Hearing. The noise from cars, tuk-tuks and their horns; trains, traffic wardens and their whistles; every seller then try to attract attention with some kind of noise: bells, horns, wooden frogs, clapping their hands, and calling you of course.
Touch. When you think Touch your hands usually come into your mind. The tactile aspect of Bangkok involves all of your body: the heat wrapping around you like a blanket, sweat making you all sticky, and then, when you're almost getting used to it.. Bang! The freezing air conditioned of a bar, shop or train, or the polar environment of a shopping center.
Taste. Do we have to mention the amazing taste of Thai food? A couple of things to mention though:
- Hot Hot Hot. Not really a surprise. However, being used to Indian spiciness i was surprised how much Thai food can burn in your mouth; while with Indian food you feel the heat gently but unstopping glow inside you, with Thai food you feel the heat straight in your mouth.
- Fruits. An amazing variety of new super-tasty fruits like rambutans, longans and mangosteens between the others.
The concept of concrete jungle really applies to Bangkok: in the real jungle the strongest will survive, and often the strongest is the biggest, or more colorful, or louder. In the business-based concrete jungle size, colours and noises are important too. The stronger is often the one who can attract your attention most, in order for you to but their products/services. And like in the real jungle they use size (some huge shopping centres), colours (the neon signs) or (all kind of) noises to attract your attention.
