When I arrived in Bangkok the first time I was exhausted from the time lag. In addition to that, I found the daily traffic jams with their terrible noise and air pollution extremely strenuous - to say it in one word, chaotic. I was resigned to spending five days in hell. Bangkok, the madhouse.

But on a second, closer look I discovered ancient Bangkok. After two days, I went to one of the most famous temples in the city near the river Chao Praya. When I entered the inner part, something happened to me. That was the place for praying, meditating and relaxing. In a split second I lost myself, only aware of the soothing scent of burning incense attended by the peaceful sound of bells rung by a soft breeze. I got down on my knees like the murmuring monks in front of me. I do not know how much time passed by, but when I re-emerged into the daylight streets, Bangkok no longer seemed to be such a hellish madhouse, but rather a fascinating city.