Chang Mai - Bangkok's prettier twin sister

Me by the waterfall where locals go to picnic in Chang Mai
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After a good 13 + hours on an overnight bus from Bangkok to Chang Mai, I eventually made it (and in one piece I might add!). I met a very nice girl on the bus ride over and we chatted for awhile which helped pass the time. I had already pre booked my hostel at the "Spicy Thai Backpackers", while most of the others on my bus had yet to find a place to stay. After our bus arrived in Chang Mai, most of the people hopped on to a mini bus to ride into the city centre to find a place to stay. I kept telling people the address of where I needed to go to get to the hostel, but no one seemed to know what I was talking about! All of a sudden, everyone was gone and it was just me and one Thai man with a jeep. I must have been looking slightly dazed because he came right on over and took my under his wing. He took me around Chang Mai (at no cost I might add!) to try to find out where my hostel was. After a bit of running around, the minibus driver finally found the place and dropped me off. I found the place and, after swearing to myself that I would never again pre-book a hostel, I was most pleasently suprised! It was in a beautiful gated neighborhood, rented out of an impressive house. I checked in and the first person I saw was a guy named Jason from Australia. I had met him in my hostel on Si Lom road in Bangkok and he was the one who had told me about staying at this hostel. It was kind of nice to know I had made it to the right place!

Me in one of the temples in Chang Mai (me and Budda are on a first name basis practically!)
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I would just like to add here that I really appreciate all of the emails and comments encouraging me to hang in there. I realize that my last article made it sound like I was struggling quite a bit, but I'd like everyone to know that the feeling of helplessness has long since past and I am enjoying myself even more so than I imagined I would! Let me explain further by telling you about my first few days in Chang Mai.

The feeling of helplessness has long since past and I am enjoying myself even more so than I imagined I would!

Outside the Chang Mai Zoo! (We were too cheap to go inside!)
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Chang Mai really should be the place where first time travellers fly into Thailand. It is still a pretty big city, however, it is much slower paced and much more beautiful than the 'in your face' Bangkok. The first day, me and Jason headed down to the night market, which is basically the biggest farmers market I have ever seen in my life! It blew the markets at Bangkok out of the water in regards to the quality of goods and uniqueness of the items. I actually decided that I'm going to do some of my present shopping here instead of waiting until I go back to Bangkok. (Guess that means I'll be sending a package home quicker than I thought momma!)

Locals setting off handmade fireworks to celebrate the new year. (I could have done it to... for only 65 Baht!)
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Besides the market, Ididn't do a ton on my first day there. That night bus really took a lot out of me! The second day I did tons though! By tons I of course mean the following: sleep in past daybreak (check), lie in the hot sun for an hour (check), book tickets to the south beaches (check), eat some great Thai food (check), and of course, do more shopping at the night market (double check!). All in all a great day!

I'm really starting to get used to relaxing and taking things as they come. I realized that the feelings I had during my first days in bangkok were completely natural for a first time traveller out on her own in a large busy city where no one speaks the same language. Even though it takes a few minutes to adjust each time you hit a new city or country, the feeling passes quite quickly, and having fellow travellers around to share the experience with is absolutely priceless!

Me and Ted and Jason in a tuk tuk heading to the night market.
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I leave you with that for now. Coming up next? I'll tell you all about my wicked three day jungle trek just north of Chang Mai!