Sunday, July 7, 2013

Saturday Chaing Mai

I had big ambitions to do some river rafting yesterday until my body told me I needed to chill out. So I did. Walked around a bit then had a relaxing afternoon which included my $3 foot massage that was THE best I've ever had! These running feet are tight!

I felt like this guy

I am so in love with these little streets. And used book stores of course...

Picturesque at Ghecko Books

Funny lil cramped gallery 

Can't get lost if you don't care where you are. Wise words in front of the gallery

Canals everywhere 

This is a restaurant near my massage and lunch at "Country Bar". 

That is water that quickly became sweat. I didn't last long after what felt like a vigorous hot yoga session of stillness with my book. 

My first tuk tuk ride to the Saturday night market. The driver calls himself Johnny Thai. All he said to me was "gangham style" and "I love you". 

On a safety note: I have never felt more safe than I do here. And that is not to say I won't stop being aware! I am extremely conscious of my surroundings at all times.  The people are all so nice, locals and foreigners. I may be falling in love with Thailand! 

Family affair. The Thai culture dumbfounds me at every turn with how laid back they are in comparison to our western ways of thinking. 
Later in the evening I saw a mom hop on a darling Vespa wearing her baby in a sling across her chest.

From the tuk tuk, the moat that surrounds the old city.

An artisan at the night market. 

Entering a little food alley...

Coconut water from bamboo for $1?! Followed by a refill of the chrysanthemum  juice.

No, there was not alcohol in there to cause such a blur.



My fresh made pad thai for $1. 


These girls were advertising walking like robots.


The sights, sounds and colors are overwhelming on all of the senses. SO much to take in.


This looked like a cake, but was the inside of Palm Hearts that was simply steamed. A cake I could actually eat, but was too full to do so!




Little eggs sold everywhere.



This was one of a few blind bands. Many people post to a spot in the middle to perform or beg for money in some way.


A random dog show. I felt guilty for watching, but couldn't stop!


Tuk tuk again to Thapae boxing stadium.


Walking down the alley way to enter and hand over my ticket to my First Lady man sighting (of many in the stadium I soon found out!)

It's a huge building with tables everywhere and multiple bars surrounding the ring. It smells of menthol and smoke and is crowded with Americans in souvenir shirts purchased on the street drinking Chang beer.



Walked into a girl fight. They're brutal on each other!


There is music playing for the entire fight which I assumed was recorded. Then I looked around...this guy playing the horn thing must be so exhausted after 3 hours of this!

Teenage boys prepping to fight...



Teenage boys fighting


This was my highlight. They blindfold 4 men who then attempt to fight. Many air punches are had. The man putting the blindfolds on receives quite a few punches as well, then in turn tosses the men across the ring.


Absolutely hysterical. Dying of laughter.


Last fight was the best to watch, an American man and a Thai man. The Thai man won.

Tuk tuks are old news now! The bridge to my hotel en route to some much needed sleep! 
I slept poorly Friday night due to a hefty rain pour that sounded like hail and my roomie of a ghecko thought it sweet to serenade me. Thankfully I didn't really experience much jet lag since I flew through the night. 

Random note: I can't stop my Spanish, every time I am asked something for a yes answer I respond with "yes...si...chai!" (Chai is Thai for yes) it's quite ridiculous. 

Friday, July 5, 2013

First day in Chiang Mai; self guided walking tour



The first temple I visited(I don't remember the name).
Never knew Donald was Buddhist!? 
My first time inside a temple! Little did I know this would become old news through my walking tour of town. Women must cover their shoulders and sit in the mermaid position with their feet under/off to the side. Everyone takes their shoes off before entering (even the bathrooms!! Ewwwww)
A few of my favorite things #crazycatlady

Sculpting 



Next I went to Wat Phra Singh. Amazing!!



The most revered Buddha image (Phra Singh) in Chiang Mai. It's gargantuan, this angle does little for the size.

The monks were performing a chant as I entered. They're sitting to the left of the large Buddha. 
As I was exiting this was my view. Am I really in Thailand?! 
This was the sign for the bathroom at Wat Chedi Luang. My Tre Pazzi girls will appreciate this...I love amway!
This used to be the tallest structure in Chaing Mai before condo towers. Phra Kaew, the famed emerald Buddha was once housed here, but it now stays in Bangkok as a national symbol of Thai Buddhism.

Darn that scamp!


A cloud lover's dream sky today.








Is this real life?!?






Next I visited Wat Phan Tao known for its "classic Lanna style" of carved teak inherited from the Burmese. 




I was two seconds too late of capturing this lil Monk checking his face in the bike's mirror.

Lets play, spot the puppy! Can you find him?
Where the monks reside.

I met a fellow backpacker and we wandered the streets of Chiang Mai for a few hours...

I do not know this man, but it captures the backpacker scene well, most likely with a scooter ride injury.


Monks, motor bikes, and beautiful architecture in the midst of the city life.


Them clouds have me mesmerized! 






Women are also to step off of the sidewalk if a Monk is walking towards her. Unfortunately I forgot until after a few times.


One last random temple shot.





And I'm off for a nap!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

42 hours of adventure later

I knew I'd be racking up hours in travel time, but it's been more of an adventure than I had imagined. 42 hours total since leaving home! 
The most gorgeous orchids I have ever seen in the Taipai airport. Absolutely flawless. 
Auburn to Sacramento, to San Fran, to Taiwan, then to Bangkok. Once in Bangkok I hopped in a cab straight to the train station. I immediately headed to the ticket counter only to find out there were no available seats for the overnight train I had originally intended to take and had attempted to make a reservation via email as well (only to find out that doesn't actually work!). The next available train was 13 hours with no air conditioning and didn't leave until after 11 pm. This would have had me camped out in the Bangkok train station (limited seats & no a/c in the building) for 10 or so hours. Despite calling myself a backpacker for this trip, I am a tired pansy after the limited sleep in the first 36 hours of travel. My poor tootsies are sausages and this sweaty Betty hasn't showered in over 50 hours! If you know me, you know this is not something I do well with!
 
I left the station and headed to a street-side cafe offering free wifi with the purchase of my first authentic Thai iced tea! I have been so excited in the weeks leading up to my trip about having the real stuff while here.
(Train station in the background)

 Although it tastes just the same as at home; the humidity, chaotic traffic zipping by (cars, busses, tuk tuks& scooters), incessant honking, smells of Thai food & smog made it the real deal! I started searching for flights and hotels for the night while sipping my first authentic indulgence. I can't imagine how I would have handled this situation without modern technology!?

I felt more at ease with the decision to spend a little more than I had planned and head back to the airport and purchase a ticket to Chiang Mai.   I saw quite a bit of Bangkok from the freeway in my two cab rides and that alone solidified my decision to leave this city ASAP! The flight is 1 hour and 10 minutes versus the 13-14 hour train ride.
 
The Bangkok airport made me so excited to get out and shop once I get settled in Chaing Mai. This was a fresh veggie stall where I purchased a good sized bag of dried mango and water for less than $2.50! Made this frugal chica mighty happy! 

Once arriving in Chiang Mai I quickly showered then headed out to grab a real meal (that wasn't served in plastic on my lap). My hotel is across the street from the bridge crossing the Ping River. Just over the bridge is the hubbub of all kinds of activity. As I was crossing the bridge I noticed there were police standing around (but their presence provided safety, not fear! All you mommas, don't you worry!) I then saw a small crowd gathered on the bridge looking towards the west side of the river. I looked to where they were facing and there was a little lit up "4th of July" sign, then instantly fireworks started firing off and exploding just above our heads. It was the most incredible way to start my time here, and by far the best fireworks experience I've ever had. Fireworks are one of my favorite things to see every year & I was a lil bummed I'd be missing them at home. We were so close you could feel it shake you with each one set off. This is when fear did get me a little, standing directly under the falling sparkles! But it was a night to never forget!! (And an A.D.D. Child's dream-sparkly!)
Absolutely incredible 




Once the works were done I kept walking to the night market where I was pulled to look at such amazing things-I will be checking a bag upon my return! (Mom & Lacy-I was able to carry my gargantuan backpack on all 3 flights!) I had to stop myself to have dinner as I had originally set out to do. My simple dinner of crab fried rice and water was less than $2.50. It's official, this girl is in frugal heaven!
 
Night market. For a girl who hates to shop, this is my heaven!
 
You can buy a variety of treasures and services. This one if for Jen, you asked for bug pictures & this is as close as I'll get! 



"Fish spa" I'm still on the fence about this one.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

My adventure of a lifetime has begun!



Eek! 
And so it begins!

I completed my moving today with no time to spare before departing for the Sacramento Amtrak station this afternoon. My awesomely supportive momma drove me down to catch the train to San Fran where I met my long time, sweet  friend Lacy. We go back to the carefree days before kindergarten. I adore this girl. 

I am now standing in a sea of about 600 people just to check in for my flight. The people watching is amazing and my sleepiness makes it that much more fascinating. Even spotted a few Monks! 

I couldn't be in this mass of people if it weren't for all of you reading this. The amazing love and support I have experienced this last year & again in the last few days has left me feeling eternally grateful. My heart is swelled. 

I am indebted to a few of you for storing my life's belongings and taking care of my precious fur child (whom I already miss ridiculously). 
My reason to come home! (He's a lil freaked out by his new roommates, but in the best hands I could ever wish to care for him)