Yesterday I had the pleasure of having lunch with my good friend, Shilpa's daughter, Anuja. She's teaching English here in Chiang Mai. It's so great to see these young people experiencing the world. She met me at my hotel and then we walked to a vegan/vegetarian restaurant, A Taste of Heaven. I had vegan Pad Thai. It was delicious. We shared a vegan brownie.
On top of teaching she is working on her masters from UF! Way to go, Anuja!
Amazing temple across the street from our hotel....Wat Chedi Luang, built around the 14th century.
After lunch with Anuja, I went to the Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders (of course, I did :) I learned so much about mosquitoes and malaria. Really good information. Click to enlarge the above picture, maybe you could read the text.
Out exploring last night. The city is getting ready for a huge festival, after we leave :)
Durian, a fruit that smells like garbage when it's being cut open. It's very popular here, but so pungent that some stores have signs that say "no durian". Al wanted me to try it...I did...I was very interesting...pretty good.
Today, Sunday, we hired a red Songtaew to take us up the mountain to Doi Sothep.
Okay, I know, she's adorable. I thought the same thing, then I realized that she was putting money in her little purse...money that she gets from taking pictures with strangers. They are all over the steps to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It's so sad. They are totally being exploited by their parents. If you dare take a picture, they come up and say "photo money". If you give them money, they are all smiles and hugging strangers in the pictures...it's just so sad. It's sad that adults do not make the connection...if they didn't give them money for pictures, they wouldn't have to do this, but, who knows...if it's not that, maybe it would be something else.
Really beautiful temple...unfortunately, those are elephant tusks. Funny thing...there was a sign on this door that said if you were coming in to take a picture, to please sit or squat. As I was focusing my phone, I felt water hitting me, I let out a shriek (not a good idea in a temple) but realized that the monk was flinging holy water? at us. I guess I can consider myself blessed :) really in many, many ways!
Okay, this is what 5 Bhat will get you as far as a toilet in Doi Suthep. I'm actually getting better at it. Thanks goodness Luz had toilet paper....Yay Luz!
This is the incredible lady who helped me at the hospital. She was reassuring and comforting in so many ways. She is from Sri Lanka. She has one daughter, who is 16, and goes to boarding school in India. Like I said, travel restores your faith in humanity!
This afternoon Sara left back for home, Nakhon Si Thammarat. We had such a great time with her in Chiang Mai. She speaks Thai! It's so impressive. Good for her! It has a lot to do with the fact that in her small town there are not many tourist...either way...good job!!!
Tomorrow morning we leave for Yangon, Myanmar. I'm not sure about quality of internet service, so I might not be able to post. We fly from Yangon to Bagan to Lake Inle and back to Yangon. We arrive at Sara's on Thursday, Thanksgiving.
Here are some more Chaing Mai pictures.
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