20 Baht Chaiyaphum

pickup taxi (somewhat like a saangthwai)
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As our bus pulls into the town of Chaiyaphum, very unfrequented by tourists, I am overwhelmed by the sight of about ten men yelling and running onto the bus while it moves.  This has happened throughout many of our bus rides, but not quite to this extent.  Wait, wait... I'm going to take a minute to describe the pure beauty of these buses.  We are riding the cheap buses with no air-con and they are packed.  It's as though there is no limit to how many people the bus can hold.  We fortunately get there early enough to claim a seat the latecomers must stand or sit on stools in the aisles of the bus.  There is absolutely no way of getting off the bus if deemed necessary.  The floor is wooden.  There are fans and "hi-bomb" speakers hanging from the ceiling.  As well, as light fixtures that you would find hanging over your grandmother's dining room table.  There is a massive tv in the front of the bus, hanging over the bus driver's head.  The spedometer, housed next to a whinnie the poo clock, does not work and if it did work I don't think it would be used.  The bus begins to roll, while the movie and karaoke begin.  I'm on a party bus that doesn't quite feel like a good party, in fact it parallels the feeling that I have the morning after a good party.  Baffled.

crossing the still waters of the river.
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So, we roll into Chaiyaphum bachelorette party style and "taxi" drivers, food vendors , etc. jump onto the bus trying to sell anything and everything that they have.  They bolt down the aisles towards the four of us. "I'm not quite sure why?" she says sarcastically.   I'm forced to clutch my bag as I demand, "mai chai!" (NO!)  (Yes Tom, I added the ever so demanding hand shake that you spoke of... it works quite well).  We grab our bags and sit in the terminal to figure out our next mode of transportation.  We wheel and deal.  They won't give on the price of a "taxi", so we stand up and walk away.  They run after us laughing, shaking their heads "chai.  chai."  Let's make a deal.  We hop into the back of a pick-up truck and are on our way to Tat Ton National Park where we will stay in a bungalow for $3 a night.

Chrissy going stache. Gotta support the facial hair from time to time. Pretty bad, huh?
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Tat Ton is untouched and wonderful.  We spent our day hiking and crossing the river, which is quite a little feat when you're backpack houses many cameras, etc.  Everyone was successfully, except for yours truly.  It was one of those slow motion moments that leaves you laughing hysterically.  Apparently my weight can't withstand the current of Tat Ton falls.  I quickly stand-up, throw my bag at my brother and see the image of Justine and Laureen jumping into the water screaming, "I'll save you".  The best part is it was one of those feet first bad lifeguard jumps that just left me rolling.  The water wasn't really all that fierce at all.  Sometimes the laughter gets in the way of me just standing up.

one of many pics taken bc of my paleness. you better believe that I'm working on my tan.
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We come across many people playing guitars and singing in large groups.  We come across this one group of younger guys that come running over with a  shot glass.  They put it in my face and comment on my white skin (what's new).  I swig back the terrible tequila and take a seat on the ground.  The four of us look at one another with smiles and laugh as we realize that we are being serenaded by another group of people singing to Cranberries, "Zombie".  A photo session then breaks out bc everyone wants their picture taken with the "khao"

We walk another twenty feet only to find another group of kids singing the same song to us.  It was as though everyone in the park was ready to play the only song that we could sing along to.  Quite hilarious.

After two nights in the park, we find ourselves back in Chaiyaphum.  We're waiting about ten hours for our bus that will then take us to Chiang Mai (in nothern Thailand).  I am falling in love with he people of this town.  It seems like one of the first moments that people aren't seeing us as complete dollar signs and they are genuinely trying to meet and greet us.

Taking it all in.