Take-Aways

I now know why Thai people smile so much. They are on a permanent sugar high. There is no dish that does not have at least a spoonful of it per person. Yes, even the curry or should I say particularly the curry. It's in the stir fries, the noodles, the spring rolls and the salads. And it is in buckets in the desserts. I also know why it does not make them fat. It's the chillies which in Thai, by the way, are called rat shit. They are an internal nuclear bomb and even babies can eat them. I can only have the chillies in small doses so to get down from the sugar high I decided to finally try out the world famous Thai massage. I am addicted. It's beautiful. a combination of deep tissue massage and stretching. I passed out twice within one hour. I am now so fond of it that I had the latest one in the middle of the street in the market. Sunday market in Chang Mai is a treat. Colourful, noisy, full of activity. The temples, which this place is famous for become either parking lots or food courts. The street is closed off to cars and you can find everything under the sun. Food, clothes, art, music, beggars, fortune tellers, monks, tourists, tuk tuks. It's noisy and there is always something happening. Until the time when for 60 seconds it all grinds to a complete and utter halt. Not a sound, not one soul moving. The loud speakers are playing the national anthem and as if by magic a spell is cast. It's surreal. And then it all goes back to normal, Exactly like those movies that start with a still photo and suddently come to life when the credits just finish and the movie starts. I like Chang Mai. It's chilled, beautiful and there is loads to do. It makes me dread my next little project, the meditation retreat. I have two fears. One is that I will absolutely hate it. I cannot imagine spending time with no distractions at all. In effect cut off from the world and all it has to offer even if it is only for 7 days. The other fear is that I might like it to much and turn into a buddhist monk. Either way, this is the objective. To feel the fear and do it anyway. Hopefully I will let you know in 7 days.