THAILAND | Wednesday, 29 Aug 2007 | Views [334]
I spent the afternoon with a Dang today, a textile shop owner who buys fabrics from the Northern hill tribes and brings them back to make clothing, bags, and quilts. She is the first Thai woman, aside from my teacher that I had an extended converstion ... Read more >
Tags: Philosophy of travel
THAILAND | Wednesday, 29 Aug 2007 | Views [373]
Last night I went through all of my food resources and started to compile a list of what I have been eating. An hour of writing later I decided that a summary is easier. Besides, Clint called over from the other porch and told me to save room for dessert.... Read more >
Tags: Food & eating
THAILAND | Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007 | Views [306] | Comments [1]
The King has pumped a lot of money into making the medical system in Thailand a good one. I guess because he is a doctor so it has been one of the pet projects of the royal family. Either way, going to the Dentist here probably saved me a few thousand ... Read more >
Tags: Doctors, hospitals & health
THAILAND | Sunday, 26 Aug 2007 | Views [395] | Comments [1]
Dogs are everywhere. They run in packs of three and up and can be seen sleeping under trucks, in the road, around the Wats, and any place there is shade. I learned the other night that they are around for a reason too. Twice times I've been chased by ... Read more >
Tags: Adrenaline
THAILAND | Sunday, 26 Aug 2007 | Views [446] | Comments [1]
The other night Jo Jo and I hitched a ride with a Sawngthaew (Truck Taxi) by bike. These are Toyota size pick-up that have shells over the truck beds. Eight people can fit inside. Around the perimeter of the truck are side railings and two ladders ... Read more >
Tags: Adrenaline
THAILAND | Thursday, 23 Aug 2007 | Views [326]
Without trying I tend to spend about $3 everynight at the market when I'm shopping for Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch. My dinners are generally things I haven't tried yet. Last night I had whole fish, which was so good. Tonight the bag of fried squash ... Read more >
Tags: Food & eating
THAILAND | Thursday, 23 Aug 2007 | Views [347]
Getting back into taking photos with film is part returning to a passionate love that I haven't seen for many years and part facing all of my fears of why putting the camera down was easier than working through the resistance. Polaroids fit much more ... Read more >
Tags: Adventures
THAILAND | Thursday, 23 Aug 2007 | Views [342]
The last of the learning portion of my classes ended today. We practiced a two hour routine on our partner this afternoon, and tomorrow we will work for three hours each. Friday is our "test" day. No book, no instruction, just flow with a two ... Read more >
Tags: Mountains
THAILAND | Tuesday, 21 Aug 2007 | Views [354]
Coffee and a full meal here cost the same, about 20-30 baht or .80-$1. Whenever I'm riding my bike around town I keep my eye out for any cafe that looks like it would serve coffee that is larger than a measuring cup. About three days in I decided that ... Read more >
Tags: Food & eating
THAILAND | Monday, 20 Aug 2007 | Views [408]
I didn't move into the other guesthouse as planned. I did move, but moved back to my guesthouse a few hours later. My classmate Jo Jo has been living at the Second Home guesthouse since he arrived two months ago. He pays about $3 a night. Thinking ... Read more >
Tags: Philosophy of travel
THAILAND | Monday, 20 Aug 2007 | Views [246]
Imagine your local flea market + food festival and square it. The Old City on the North side essentially shuts down to cars and scooter and fills with vendors lining both sides of the street shoulder to shoulder, plus the middle of the street. Every ... Read more >
Tags: Culture
THAILAND | Monday, 20 Aug 2007 | Views [283]
At 6pm everyday (and in the morning at some point) the national anthem plays over a loud speaker all over the city and everyone stops what they are doing, hands by sides and looks straight ahead until the music stops. The cars used to stop too, but ... Read more >
Tags: Culture
THAILAND | Saturday, 18 Aug 2007 | Views [517] | Comments [1]
No plastic containers for "takeout," just plastic bags that hold your curries, rices, soups, and noodles. They look like little fishtanks, reminiscent of the cheap goldfish you can buy at a carnival. After a week of going full force eating ... Read more >
Tags: Food & eating
THAILAND | Saturday, 18 Aug 2007 | Views [418] | Comments [4]
I'm pretty sure that is how much I consumed today when I returned from school. Four very large water bottles now sit empty in my room and I've only peed once. It's defintely hotter today than it has been. I'm not uncomfortable, but I do change my clothing ... Read more >
Tags: People
THAILAND | Thursday, 16 Aug 2007 | Views [419]
Chiang Mai is a professional student's paradise. There is probably a teacher willing to give you a lesson for anything you want to know here. Thai massage has made a home in this city, and I think there are more than seven schools that have programs-... Read more >
Tags: Work
THAILAND | Thursday, 16 Aug 2007 | Views [344] | Comments [1]
Having a bike changes everything. At home biking and cooking are so much a part of what brings me joy that not having those things for even a couple of days started to takes its toll. I made sure that I got to the bike shop before it closed last night ... Read more >
Tags: Adventures
THAILAND | Monday, 13 Aug 2007 | Views [309]
My taxi driver from Chiang Mai airport informed me that second to Bangkok it is the largest city in Thailand. It's not New York in size, but I'm definitely in a city. Crossing the street is a fun frogger like challenge. Where there are cross walks, ... Read more >
Tags: Food & eating
THAILAND | Monday, 13 Aug 2007 | Views [324] | Comments [2]
I arrived safely. Thanks to a sweet guardian angel my plane trip was so smooth. Drugs and neck pillows are amazing. I started Saturday morning and my flight was 17 hours direct. I slept for 13 hours and ate very well in between the long naps on Thai ... Read more >
Tags: Airports
THAILAND | Thursday, 9 Aug 2007 | Views [297] | Comments [1]
A few days left to enjoy New York summer before I to journey to Thailand on Saturday. I have no idea how often I will visit a computer while I'm gone, but when I do I will leave my stories here. I am looking forward to a few weeks of less techonology.... Read more >
Tags: The Planning Phase
