Chaing Mai, Thailand –
Up the dirt and gravel road the van went.
Up and further up the mountainside.
We were in a national park, so it wasn’t surprising to me that the road was narrow and made of dirt.
Just shy of complete wilderness.
Wander five feet off the road and it might have been complete wilderness.
Suddenly, we came upon a few shacks as we arrived at the village.
From being in thick jungle to being in the middle of a small village, all within a few feet.
Chaing Mai, Thailand –
It was quite the crowd, all gathered in front of the stage.
And the costumed performers were waiting in the wings, ready to go on stage.
But they never did…
How odd.
It seems all the action is elsewhere.
Bangkok maybe?
You’d think that being in Thailand during the week of the King’s Birthday would be an interesting time to go.
Well, it did have its interesting aspects.
But more than anything, it had its boring aspects.
It seems the normally bad weekday traffic in Bangkok was even worse.
Especially near the royal palace and places where public celebrations would be taking place.
But then we came to Chaing Mai.
Continue reading A Large Crowd and an Empty Stage – King’s Birthday Celebration
Chaing Mai, Thailand –
Yes, I know what they say.
“To find enlightenment, you must climb to the top of the mountain.”
How about I just ride the cable car instead?
It’s faster, and easier on the knees.
Yes, you lose the time spent in contemplation, as you are laboring your way up.
One step in front of the next.
But on the cable car, when you get to the top, you’re not nearly as out of breath.
At least for those of us not in great shape.
Plus, you avoid all of the people tempting you with trinkets or treats, trying to part you from your money, on the way up.
It’s much easier to say no when you’re going down the stairs and not huffing and puffing.
Continue reading A Visit To The Mountaintop – Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
Chaing Mai, Thailand –
Looks can be deceptive.
At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.
Our instructor makes it all look so easy.
The ingredients are already portioned out for us, so all we have to do is this, that, and this other thing and Bam! You’ve got a perfectly prepared dish of Pad Thai.
It only takes about two minutes.
And that’s where the deception lies.
I’m sure for a practiced cook, going through the required steps in the short amount of time that the ingredients are allowed to be in the wok may not be difficult to do.
But for a clumsy, uncoordinated oaf like me, it’s another story altogether…
