Hi,
The weekend in Chiang Rai was cooler, thanks to some rain. Cooler is, of course, a relative term when it comes to the weather here, but we did notice a difference.
Our 'Old School Friday' song was "Spanish Harlem" by Ben E. King. For 'Easy Monday' we travel back to the early 70s, and a sad song about leaving. "__ __ __ __ __ __ __ she'll be rising. She'll find the note I left hanging on her door. She'll laugh when she reads the part that says I'm leaving, 'cause I've left that girl, so many times before..."
Hint: It's an early hit by a singer who went on to become a Country legend. The title is about travel and a specific location.
I don't think we had any aftershocks this weekend. What? So that's why it was so mellow. Let's just hope that it stays like this.
Most of the expat community in Thailand is buzzing about some rule changes that the immigration department announced. They are putting restrictions on the number of tourist visa renewals and it will mean that some people will either have to change their visa status or not be allowed back into the country. It has been possible to leave the country every 30 or 60 days, and get a new tourist visa upon re-entry, but that is coming to an end. Before we left America, we got retirement visas from the Thai government, so none of this will affect us. It will be interesting to see how this all works and whether it will create a mass exodus from The Kingdom by those without a way to stay. Many teachers, small business owners, and older people may have to return to their home country or settle somewhere else.
Living in Chiang Rai means there is always something changing. This week, work began on more storm-drain improvements. That means ditches are being dug on major thoroughfares, traffic is getting weird, and merchants are standing in front of empty stores wondering how long it will take before completion. The city tries to do the work between the tourist seasons, and if last year is any indication, they may finish just in time to welcome the next wave of guests.
Banners have been hung across major streets announcing a Maekong Trade Fair next month. This should be very interesting since the ASEAN community will become a reality in less than a year. In light of all the new buildings that are designed for small businesses, investors are hoping for a wave of new enterprises. Saturday we went to the dentist and he wondered if the recent earthquake might change some peoples minds about investing in the area. That remains to be seen. If half of the current buildings are occupied next year, the city will have grown a bunch.
Sunday we went to the big market. As we were leaving we passed by a big fabric shop. Today's photo shows a unique use of some remnants as bike covers.
Today, on a tip from a friend, we visited a little deli that we hadn't been to in years. They now have fresh bread without any milk, butter or soy. That means I can have bread again. While we were there we had a little reunion with our friends Susan and Noy, the couple that grows hydroponic lettuce. We compared notes on the recent natural 'events' and will probably get together in the near future. Life in a small town has its rewards.
Have a Great Week.
Peace,
Danny
the rest of your life will fall into place."
~Lao Tzu
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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