Boomerang

Hi,

We're back in Chiang Rai, very tired, but home. It was a busy day with a few surprises. After a couple of trips to the Consulate, we got our business taken care of, and also managed to accomplish a few more things.

Lots of mail on this 'Summer of Love' hit by the Queen of Soul. Oh, did I just give something away? Try these lyrics if you're still in doubt: "Ooo, your kisses, sweeter than honey. And guess what? So is my money. All I want you to do for me is give it to me when you get home, yeah baby. __, just a little bit..." Hint: It's had many covers, but her version was probably the monster hit that made the song iconic.

Chiang Mai is hotter than Chiang Rai. We had fairly early appointments at the U.S. Consulate office and didn't have to wait at all. The guards at the entrance are all Thai nationals now and there is less of the 'military' feeling when entering. In fact they were cheery and showed a sense of humor. You have to leave most of your belongings at the entrance, after a careful inspection. They wouldn't let Lisa take her comb in and laughed with her when she grabbed it and did a quick comb through of her hair. Inside we were told that they were short staffed and it might take an hour to add pages to Lisa passport. We told them we were pretty busy and they did it in five minutes. We have to return to Chiang Mai in a few weeks to pick up my new passport.

I called Mark, a friend of mine who lives in Chiang Mai to ask him about a used book store and he gave us directions. We got a Tuk-Tuk to the place and when we arrived Mark rode up on his bicycle. He and Lisa were talking about the book store when I got a call from the Consulate telling me that my picture was not usable. Mark knew of a photo shop that made passport pics so we walked (a long way) while Lisa bought books, and I got new pictures taken.

Since I had to return to the photo place later, we decided to get lunch. Mark gave a Tuk-Tuk driver the directions to a little place he likes and we met there and had a really nice lunch. Another friend, Robert, showed up just as we were finishing. It was one of those days. After lunch we got the pictures, and then went back to the Consulate to drop them off. Whew.

After checking out of the hotel, we drove to Rimping Market where they sell lots of Western food. They have things we just can't find in Chiang Rai, like sweet pickle relish. We also found these giant marshmallows and I couldn't resist. After coffee we hit the road for home. On our way to the highway, sitting in traffic, we saw a little grocery store with a 'bar' set up right by the sidewalk. Just a narrow box about 4 feet long with holes on top with liquor bottles in the holes. I guess people stroll by, have a shot and continue on their way. Hmm. What?

Yesterday, when I called Mark to tell him I was in town, he told me he had an art exhibit at a shop in the garment district. We had planned to walk over there anyway so it became an adventure. We went up and down many streets before we found the shop and it turned out we'd been there before. Upstairs they have a gallery and we got to see Mark's work. He's donating one third of the proceeds to an organization that helps Burmese refugee children.

It's so nice to be home, with steady internet, the dogs, and Boot. Tomorrow we have to do the final prep for the party in the evening. More about that tomorrow.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,
Danny

"The game of life is a game of boomerangs.
Our thoughts, deeds, and words
return to us sooner or later,
with astounding accuracy."
~Florence Scovel Shinn

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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