Phone & Phallus

I was looking at a Bangkok guide book and saw a shrine that had phallus statues that was located in a small part.  People wrap brightly colored ribbons around the erected statues, and they are believed to help with fertility.  I decided to visit, not to help with fertility, but rather to take some photos. 

Tim wrote the name of the place in my little green book.  My little green book has a list of places around the city in both Thai and English languages.  That way I can open the book and point to a location when dealing with a cabbie.  It usually works pretty well.  Even though I can drive, I often take a cab into the city because it only costs $5 or $6 each way, and then I don't have to worry about getting lost or parking.  So when the cabbie showed up, he didn't know where the place was.  Neither did Yaow.  I called Tim who consulted with some people at her work.  They told me to go to a different temple that also had a similar setup.  The cabbie was familiar with this one, and we were off.

We arrived at the temple near Silom, and I went into the temple.  I had not even taken off my shoes yet, when I saw the sign that said "No Photo".  I really hate those signs.  I understand not setting up a tripod as a tripping hazard, but I can't really understand why they don't want photos taken.  I immediately walked out of the temple.  If there were no photos allowed, I really had no desire to see it.

I was kind of annoyed, so I fished through the many pockets of my shorts and photographer's vest for my phone.  I can't find it. After 5 or so minutes, I've checked everywhere and I don't have it.  I know I had it when I left because I talked to Tim right when I was getting into the cab.  I must have dropped it in the cab, I realized.  So I walked around a few minutes, and called Tim from a pay phone.  I knew people had gotten in the cab after I had exited.  Maybe she could get a hold of the cabbie and he could return it to the house;  I'd gladly pay the taxi fare.  Tim called my number;  two hang ups then they turned the phone off. 

So now I'm trying to decide if I want to get a Blackberry or just some generic phone.  I like the idea of being able to surf the Internet wherever I am.  I really like the idea.  Its one of those things, if I was in the states, I would have a Blackberry or iPhone.  Here, I'm not quite certain.  I know I don't need it, but it would be nice to have.  We'll see.