Chiang Mai Thailand

Busy CM streets
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Meet my friend Sarah today at the one landmarks we could find. Starbucks. Lol

Chiang Mai reminds me of Bangkok, except smaller and a little cleaner. I like it here.

The traffic is still crazy, but I’m starting to get the hang of crossing the streets. Funny thing, we found a couple of cross walks with traffic lights that had the crosswalk button you could push. We were thrilled not to have to worry about being smashed. There’s a catch though, once you push you have 10 seconds, no joke 10 seconds to cross. There is a digital clock that counts down. What do old people do?

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Walked all day exploring the city, ate at some great restaurants and soaked up the vibe. CM used to be the capital of Thailand. Besides 7/11, there are no stores here. Everyone goes to the Market for everything. There are small and large markets and street vendors everywhere.

I’m still not used to the money conversion here. I accidentally hit the 5000 bhat key on the ATM, had a brief moment of panic thinking I just drained my checking account, then realized that’s about $136 US dollars. That will take me awhile to spend.

Flower Market blocks and blocks of flowers, I got to walk by this everday on my way to the city center.
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After two days, said goodbye to my friend Sara, although I was glad to have someone to hang with, I’m surprisingly looking forward to being on my own again.

1) There are small little temples EVERYWHERE in this city

2) I get woken up every night by dogs barking and howling. Not just a few, it sounds like a pack of 20-30.

3) Lost a small daypack that held most of my clothes on the way back from the elephant camp. My clothes now consist of underwear, 4 tank tops, 1 pair of black Capri’s, one pair of shorts. I thought those that know me would find that amusing. Thing is guys..I don’t care! Plus I don’t feel like lugging more shit around. Since washing in the sink is getting a little old, I’m heading to the market tomorrow to buy some pants.

Night market
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I think I may be fully detoxed by now. Lol . I haven’t really been to any bars since my first night in Thailand. When I have been, I don’t even drink. I’m doing so much during the day that I’m physically exhausted by 9pm. …Maybe that will change when I hit the beach ;)

1) The Thai massages are the best. Very different from the States.

2) I’m up and out the door by 8am everyday and my insomnia is so much better. I think I should live here.

3) I'm finally in the habit of taking my shoes off before entering places. How embarrassing when they had to remind me.

side street noodle shop
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4) I think I may be getting slowly poisoned by my 30% Deet and I still have mosquito bites!