Bangkok's Seven Deadly Sins: Envy [S5.E26]

Continuing the series on the 7 Deadly Sins, Greg and Ed
address the envious Envy. Of course, we love Bangkok, but no
place is perfect - so, what are some things in other countries
that we are envious of from our perch here? Greg begins by
looking over the fence at coffee culture in Vietnam. Presumably
due to French influence, Vietnam has an insane number of local
cafes that take coffee (and ice cream, as Ed points out) deadly
seriously. The strict government helps to keep Western chains to
a minimum, and the result is a coffee lovers paradise. Ed starts
his list by reminiscing about his early days in Thailand when
there were no legal closing times, and Bangkok was like New York
- a city that never sleeps. As old farts, Greg and Ed might not
take advantage of it now, but that doesn't mean they can't miss
it on principle.


Next, Greg laments that lack of school bus infrastructure
that he grew up with in Canada, where most kids can walk half a
block, jump on a safe school bus, and end up at school a few
minutes later. The reality in Bangkok is far more dire, as Greg
has explained on previous shows. Ed follows with his jealousy of
the safe roads in Japan and elsewhere, where a person can go on a
bike or motorcycle ride without having to say goodbyes to all
their loved ones. 


Last, Greg reveals his sensitive side (who knew?) with an
admission that he misses Autumn, an entire season that basically
doesn't exist in the tropics. Ed concurs, given that the fall is
particularly beautiful in the American Midwest, as it is in the
Canadian West. Ed finishes with a mini-rant on freedom of speech,
which is not just an abstract principle but actually affects
everyone in Thailand, both locals and expats alike.


That being said, the guys still love living in Thailand. Go
figure. 


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