Laugh

Hi,

Chiang Rai had another sunny, warm day. The build up to the holiday weekend is in the air. I went to the market, and the Night Bazaar, we lunched with Jaffee, and Daku is getting 'manners'.

There's nothing like the 'Summer of Love' to spark old memories. Wayne reminds us that the album version is the only 'real' version of this song. I have to agree. "The time to hesitate is through. No time to wallow in the mire. Try now we can only lose, and our love become a funeral pyre. Come on baby __ __ __, come on baby __ __ __, try to set the night on fire, yeah." Hint: Yeah, like you need one.

This Sunday is The King's birthday, but it feels like the celebration has already begun. In addition to this being what is known as the 'High Season', with tourists all over the place, many Thais come to Chiang Rai for holiday weekends like this one. They come from smaller towns, as well as bigger cities. It's quite exciting.

This morning I went to the big market to get a couple of brooms for Boot. The place was really bustling as people swarmed the area for supplies for their stores, restaurants, and home kitchens. The little shop where I get the brooms is right next to a lot where the tiny 'taxi trucks' assemble, and it's a madhouse. Right behind that there are booths selling chilies and my nose began to tingle like crazy. On the sidewalk there were women selling fresh vegetables, and items for offerings at the nearby temple. The one-way street was filled with cars, trucks, bicycles, and motorcycles with sidecars, as well as the normal motorbikes. What beautiful chaos.

Our business lunch with Jaffee was very productive. He just returned from a trip to China, where he's involved with a new magazine. We discussed all the pieces of the production for Lisa's art show. He has broad experience in the publishing business and knows how to put things together. After we had finished eating, Daku snuck out from the kitchen and was a perfect gentleman. He went over to Jaffee and politely snuggled up to him and when he was led to our side of the table, he settled down right away.

This evening I had to make a quick stop at the Night Bazaar to pick up some work that was being done for me by one of the vendors. The street was buzzing with tourists from all over the world. There were two giant buses letting passengers off, and the entrance was a mini traffic jam. Fortunately, I was on a mission, and just made my way to the stall I needed. The young man I went to see makes incredible jewelry out of cords, stones, and fabric. The piece he was making for me was finished, and I managed to get out without being distracted. Whew. It could have been a long night.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,
Danny

"Blessed are we who can laugh at ourselves
For we shall never cease to be amused."
~Unknown

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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