Sunday morning in Bangkok

There are 5 of us traveling together. We have a bit of time to sightsee before the official trip starts on Sunday afternoon. We were all set to go do a touristy thing when Claire got ahold of someone who got ahold of someone who told us service for the Karen Christian Church in Bangkok starts in 45 minutes. Cool! So we walk to the Skytrain, take it almost to the end of the line, grab a taxi, convince him to use the meter instead of an exhorbanent amount of 70 baht ($2.50) per person to take us to the address we have. And squeeze 5 women into a modest-sized taxi. We get off at this little alley (soi) in a non-touristy area. Good thing numbers are the same. The address has a little sign saying New Hope Church, but it's in a townhouse like building. We go in and there's a group getting ready for church. Guitar, keyboard and bass, simple alter and cross on the wall. The pastor had heard we were coming and was very welcoming (and fluent in English). So we went to church. Too bad I don't understand Karen. But all (maybe 50) were very friendly and welcoming. After they brought out food but we had to run to make it back for the first briefing at the hotel. All in all it was a fun little adventure and maybe the best thing I've done in Bangkok so far.