Hi,
Today was a typical day in Chiang Rai, for this time of year. It was hot and hazy. We seem to spend time looking at the updates of the air quality and checking the weather forecasts, searching for rain. Hmm.
The 'Easy Monday' song was "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys. It's time for the 'Zany Day' song. Oh boy.
"They seek him here, they seek him there, his clothes are loud, but never square. It will make or break him so he's got to buy the best, 'cause he's a __ __ __ __." Hint: This guy is kinda kinky about his clothes. It's from a band that came from across the pond.
This morning, after a short exercise session with the dogs, we went to Top's Market at Central Plaza. While we were shopping we saw Michelle, a friend of ours. It's fun to be out on the town and see someone we can have a conversation with. After we finished at Top's, she and Lisa went to a pharmacy while I went upstairs, into the mall to get a guitar tuner. Technology has come a long way from the days of using a tuning fork, or the battery operated gadgets we used to use. Now, it's a tiny thing you clip on the head of the guitar and it tells you if the string you plucked is in tune or not. Wonderful.
Since the last time I wrote about the air and it's causes, I have learned a lot more. There was an editorial in the Bangkok Post that explained more about the burning. The reason things have escalated can be pinned on the agro-industry. Large plantations are growing corn and sugar, and at the end of a season, they burn off the excess and start again. The corn is used for feed factories. Primarily for animal feed. The sugar is used for biofuel. They have taken over large plots of land in Thailand and also in Burma, where they are displacing people by forcing them off their land. All of this has a negative affect on everyone at some time, and not just in Thailand and Burma. The air, rivers, and surrounding countries are feeling it. So, looks like it's not just the locals that are causing the problem and it looks like it's not going away soon. This 'season' will be over in a few weeks and then the air will get better, until next year.
As I am typing, the sound of rolling thunder can be heard in the background. This could be a good thing if it can jar some water from the clouds. We live in hope. Our roof leak has been fixed, so bring it on. (555)
In this land of contrasts, we get to see the many aspects of Thai life in a single day. While sitting on the deck at Art Bridge having coffee yesterday, I noticed a woman across the water digging in the rubble of what used to be plant life. I don't know what she was doing, but thought it was worth sharing.
Time for Wacky Wednesday
Peace,
Danny
have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying
when there seemed to be no hope at all."
~Dale Carnegie
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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