Hi,
It feels good to be back in Chiang Rai after our short trip to the big city. We handled our business and enjoyed the day.
Well, only one person recognized this 'Zany Day' song. It's from an epic LP ironically, from the dark side.
"I'm in the hi-fidelity first class traveling set, and I think I need a Lear Jet. __, it's a crime. Share it freely, but don't take a piece of my pie..." Hint: Oh, come on now. A one word title. It's said to be the root of all evil. What more can I say?
Going to the U.S. Consulate office in Chiang Mai is always an experience. Before we went inside we had to present our passports and appointment reservation to a guard on the sidewalk. While standing in line we read what could not be taken inside. When it was our turn to go through the thick glass door, we put everything in baskets for x-ray. We made sure we'd turned our phones off. After the metal detector walk-through, our bags were searched and things like our phones, memory sticks, and headphones were put in a plastic bag. That was phase one, we still had another area to enter. Business at the Consulate mostly seems to center around citizens having the proper documents in order to deal with Thai immigration. There are also things like passport renewals and adding extra pages to passports. Sometimes immigration wants proof from the U.S. government that what we say is true. The Consulate can only verify that what we say is true under oath, so a form is filled out, a hand is raised, and it's done. Oh yes, there is also an exchange of money for this service. We accomplished our mission and returned to the front window, where we were given our 'devices' that were being held.
To get back to our hotel, we hailed a Song Taew (pick-up truck with two rows of seats). We were the only passengers and in a way, it was kind of fun. We rode passed the flower market and through parts of town we were vaguely familiar with, and then the final, narrow road to our hotel.
The middle part of the day was spent at Central Festival, a huge, five-story mall. We strolled up and down on a few floors checking out the layout. There is one floor that is mostly spas of every description. One place had the phrase 'perfectly white' in it's name. It was a skin whitening spa. You can also get facials, body sculpting, weight control, and hair growth treatments right there in the mall. While we were eating lunch I noticed that 'Mr. Bun' was right next door to 'Auntie Anne's, with made me wonder if they were a couple. (555) Eventually, it was time to hit the road.
Today's photo was taken at the entrance to the parking structure at Central Festival. It speaks for itself.
Winding our way through the countryside we saw many dogs. One dog sort of popped out of a corn field and we named him 'Corn Dog'. Then there was the dog strutting along the side of the road with a purpose. His name is 'Road Dog'. Nothing like a little fun on the highway to pass the time. In an effort to get back home we drove right by Charon Gardens. That's right, didn't stop for pie. Hmm.
Tomorrow we will begin what is to be a three day fast. Nothing but water. What? I guess you could call it a detox. I'm going to give it a try. Boot is still not convinced that we can do it. She said, "You will get hungry". Yes, this is true, and then we will drink water. Hmm. I'll let you know how day one went.
Have a Thrilling Thursday.
Peace,
Danny
"The less I needed,
the better I felt."
~Charles Bukowski
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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