Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Become

Hi,

This morning it rained in Chiang Mai.  It was a light rain and I think it cooled things down a bit.  The weather is now warm and humid as opposed to hot and humid.  

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “Windy” by The Association.  Oh, now you remember (5).  This week’s ‘Zany Day’ song is by a duo.  “Someone told me it’s all happening __ __ __.  I do believe it, I do believe it’s true.  It’s a light and tumble journey from the East side to the park.  Just a fine and fancy ramble to __ __.  But you can take the cross-town bus if it’s raining or it’s cold.  And the animals will love it if you do.”  Hint:  About a large place with a living collection.

Last night the patient did pretty good.  Her companion, however, did not do his research and neglected to look in the closet for things to make a comfortable bed.  As a result, I slept on a leather couch with just a towel for a blanket and a T-shirt for a pillow case.  It wasn’t until after breakfast that I discovered all the comforts were in the closet.  If there is a next time, I’ll know.  The doctor came by for a ‘clearance exam’ and when he was done with Lisa, he asked if he could check out his work on me from last year.  He was happy with what he saw, in fact, at first he couldn’t find the scars.  Checking out of Bangkok Hospital is an adventure.  The bill was carefully explained, as well as the refund we would receive for the overpay on the deposit.  How nice is that?  Then the pharmacist came out and sat at a little table and explained each medication that would be taken and what it does.  As we were leaving they asked us to wait until a nurse from the room could deliver a phone charger we had left in the room.  Everyone was so nice, it was like saying goodbye to friends.  We go back tomorrow morning for one last doctor check and then return in one week.  

This afternoon we had coffee at a Starbuck’s that overlooks a place called Tha Pae Gate.  The remains of the gate are part of a wall that once protected the city from foreign armies from the north.  Many cities in Thailand have saved parts of the walls and gates as historical reminders.  From our second floor table we watched tourists feeding a massive flock of pigeons.  There are locals who walk around selling grain or slices of bread to the tourists.  Actually, bread is the last thing birds need, since it expands and is not healthy for them.  If you stand with your arm(s) out and food in your hand, the birds will land on you.  People were doing this and having their photos taken.  Hmm, I don’t think so (555).

This evening, after dinner, we went to the mall and bought the one thing we went for and then left.  What?  On the way we rode with a bilingual cab driver who spoke Thai in a slow, careful manner so we could understand him.  Lisa had a long conversation with him and I was keeping up with most of it.  I guess we really are learning something.  

Today’s photo was taken at The Wanderer last Sunday.  It’s the cold brewing device in action.  The very top contains ice.  As the ice melts it drips into the coffee sitting in a filter.  Then, when it collects enough, a drop goes  into the larger vial, spirals down a tube and drips into a container.  The dripping is regulated and the rate is changed at certain times.  The whole process takes about 24 hours.  This batch was not the ‘good’ coffee, though the process takes out all bitterness.  It will be used in cooking brownies and other menu items that have coffee essence as an ingredient. 


As always, the staff here at the Dusit D2 have been very friendly and helpful.  We miss home, but there are things about this place that I will miss, at least for a few hundred kilometers.

Time for Wacky Wednesday.

                 Peace,
                           Danny

“When I let go of what I am,
I become what I might be.”
~Lao Tzu

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