Wednesday, February 10, 2016

The Bangkok Book 2 / 曼谷之書 2


摩托計程車司機
Motorcycle Taxi Drivers


曼谷有各種交通工具,不知為何,我對摩托計程車司機的生活就是很有興趣,本來只止於觀察,後來發現搭乘摩托車可以省去走路的麻煩,而且司機很厲害,連大行李箱都可以塞在座位前的狹小空間,並且可以在阻塞的車陣之間不斷前進!

Among various means of transportation in Bangkok, somehow motorcycle taxis hold special appeal for me. At first I observe and sketch from afar, but later I learn how convenient it is to be offered a short ride at a low cost. These drivers are experts. Even a gigantic piece of luggage can be squeezed into the small space in front of the seat. Take a motorcycle taxi if you don't want to be trapped in an annoying traffic jam! 



        摩托車會成羣集結在巷口或路口,沒有客人的時候就吃飯、打手機、發呆,有的怕日曬,會戴上黑頭套,但不是要去搶銀行。

     Motorcycle taxi drivers usually gather at the entrance to an alley. When there are no passengers, they would eat, phub, or just relax. I am particularly impressed by their black bandanas, but don't worry. They are not going to rob a bank. 



        上班尖峰時段搭摩托計程車還要排隊呢!

     There is a long queue waiting to take a motorcycle taxi during rush hour.



和尚
Monks


        在現代化的大城市裡,和尚橘色的身影很顯目,到處都看得到,他們也過著很摩登的生活。倒是公共運輸系統很擁擠,女性乘客要小心不能碰到比丘。

     Monks clad in orange robes are eye-catching in a big city. They are everywhere in Bangkok. In fact, they also lead very modern lives. Attention: Women can't have any physical contact with them, which is especially challenging in crowded MRT or BTS carriages. 



制服
Uniforms


        捷運上處處可見穿制服的中學生,而且頭髮也有規定。

     High school students in uniforms are part of the cityscape. Students from some schools even tie up their hair in the same style. 



        大學生也穿制服,基本上都很合身,裙子有多種樣式,搭配自己的鞋子,穿起來都蠻好看的。

     College students also wear uniforms. The shirt is basically tight-fitting, and there are different choices for the skirt in terms of length and styles. The girls can wear their own shoes or sandals, which makes them look more mature than high school kids. 





        不過裙子並沒有皮帶扣環,所以皮帶常會上下移動。

     However, there are no straps on the belt, so the belt would often slip up and down. 



        有一天去朱拉隆功大學的食堂坐了一下午,大家的制服真的都好平坦整齊啊!朱拉的學生感覺很認真,吃完午飯立刻一起讀書、討論作業。

     I spend an afternoon in the cafeteria in Chulalongkorn University. I notice that everyone's uniforms are neatly ironed. Most of the students immediately get down to studies after lunch and have enthusiastic discussions about their questions. 



        除了學生制服外,警察制服也非常合身。

     Apart from student uniforms, the police uniforms are tight-fitting too. 



        本來很想厚臉皮地請求警察讓我拍照,最後還是作罷,這是我能捕捉到最清楚的畫面了。

     I have thought long and hard about begging one BTS policeman for a photo shot, but I do not have enough courage. This is the best picture I can get. 



市井小民
Ordinary People 


        我也很喜歡觀察編花環賣花的小販。

     I am also interested in observing the flower vendors that are constantly making flower wreaths. 



        有一天偶然看到這樣賣魚的小販。

     One day I run into a fish vendor selling fish in plastic bags. 



若要從曼谷去附近的小城市,得到勝利紀念碑站搭車,早上六點半天還沒亮,空氣微涼,一整排售票人員坐在像臨時搭起的棚架裡賣票,棚內的日光燈襯著外面紫藍的天色,有種很特別的感覺。

If you are heading to nearby cities from Bangkok, chances are that you have to buy tickets and take minivans from Victory Monument BTS station. At 6:30 a.m., against the indigo sky, a line of ticket sellers wearing coats sit in a rickety shed. There's something about the image that makes me want to sketch it. 




        丹能莎朵水上市場有很多划船的都是有年紀的女性。

     Many vendors in Damnoen Saduak Floating Market are middle-aged or old ladies who are really skilled at rowing boats. 



        小小的船上放了少少的食材。競爭蠻激烈的,這也是個辛苦的行業。

     There isn't much space for the ingredients or food on the boat. They have to fight for tourists' attention in time before the boats move away, which makes me feel that this is a competitive profession. 



        乍都乍週末市集餐廳為了吸引觀光客,還有駐唱歌手,話說泰國男性好像很愛留鬍子。

     The restaurant where I eat in Chatukcha even hires a singer with a drummer to attract customers. Thai men seem to have a like for growing a beard. 



偶像
Icons 


        這裡的麥當勞叔叔也很謙卑有禮。

     Uncle McDonald in Thailand is as humble and full of gratitude as most people here. 



        要入海關去搭飛機之前還是好想畫完拉瑪堅!

     I can't repress my desire to draw Ramakian before going through the customs in the airport! 

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