Monday, September 24, 2012

Gardeners


Hi,

Our Monday was full of adventure.  We traveled to Chiang Mai, cruised an old mall, found a new restaurant, and rode in Tuk-Tuks.  

The 'Old School Friday' song was "Daddy's Home" by Shep & The Limelights.  Time for another episode of 'Easy Monday'.  Remember this?: "Get your motor runnin', head out on the highway.  Lookin' for adventure, and whatever comes our way.  Yeah, darlin' go make it happen, take the world in a love embrace.  Fire all of your guns at once, and explode into space... Like a true nature's child, we were __, __ __ __ __, we can climb so high I never wanna die."
Hint:  This song was featured in a film that became a symbol to some, of a rite of passage and freedom.  The chopper went mainstream.  Four words with lots of impact.

Last night, when the suitcase was opened for packing, Daku sensed that something was about to happen.  This morning we got up earlier than usual and about the time he thought he should go out to play, the suitcase went downstairs.  When the taxi was packed with our bags, Lisa opened the door to the kitchen to get something and Daku tried to make a mad dash to the car.  The taxi driver bolted toward safety and Lisa caught Daku.  He wanted to come with us.  We found out later that he followed Boot around the house all day after we left.  

It was nice to arrive at the bus station relaxed and composed instead of wind-blown and shaken from a Tuk-Tuk ride.  Our first ride in a Chiang Rai taxi was pleasant and we arrived early so we had a chance to soak in the Monday morning bus station scene.  Most of the travelers were Thais going to various destinations around the country.  When it was time to board the bus we were greeted by a really nice 'flight attendant'.  They always have someone who serves water and cookies right after 'take off'.  We hadn't taken the Big Green Bus in a long time and it was a treat to just sit and check out the countryside as we rolled along.  In one valley there was rice as far as we could see.  

                                An Ocean of Rice

Our hotel is one that we've stayed in several times so we got a warm greeting from the staff.  After relaxing briefly in our room, we went to a dental clinic that had been referred by a dentist in Chiang Rai.  It was a very efficient place with some very compassionate dentists.  We ended up going back to the hotel in a Tuk-Tuk, something we said we wouldn't do this trip.  In reality, what's a trip to Chiang Mai without a ride in a hot-rod?  The guys who operate these machines in Chiang Mai modify the engines and gearing so they go much faster than their country cousins.  Zoom.

I went to a meeting in the evening and went in a Tuk-Tuk.  This was the ride of the century, and I just hung on and watched as the driver maneuvered his three-wheeled beast through spaces that seemed way too small.  I tried to imagine what this would look like on the streets of Culver City or L.A.  There would be an all-points bulletin for a mad man. (555)

Tomorrow is a 'play day' for us.  We'll having lunch with our friends Alan and Ten.  The rest is up to us and that's going to be fun.  

Have a Great Week.

                      Peace,
                                 Danny

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."
~Marcel Proust

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