Hi,
It feels good to be back in Chiang Rai. The bulk of the day dealt with travel and relaxation. We got a wild greeting from the dogs that felt like we'd been gone for weeks.
The 'Easy Monday' song that seemed to slip through your brain cells was "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf. Maybe you remember this 'Zany Day' song that many teens can still relate to: "Take out the papers and the trash, or you don't get no spendin' cash. If you don't scrub that kitchen floor you ain't gonna rock and roll no more. __ __ (don't talk back)."
Our plan to stay up late in order to sleep on the bus was good, but there was one element that had not been considered. There were three hours from the getting up to the sitting down on the bus that required being awake and alert. Oh my. The Chiang Mai bus station is more 'Big City' than our home-town version. I got popcorn and juice in the little convenience store, we checked the 'gate' for our bus on an overhead TV monitor, and generally felt like we were in a more sophisticated place. Once we were on the bus we watched some TV on the iPad and then napped. The trip went by much quicker that way. Occasionally we would be startled by the musical cellphone ringtone in the seat ahead of us, but most of the trip was pretty mellow. When we were getting settled Lisa got out her phone and we took some photos of ourselves. Here's our first travel portrait.
Based purely on observation, there still seems to be a mild turf war between the Tuk-Tuks and the Taxis in Chiang Rai. On Monday, when we arrived at the 'Old Bus Station' in the center of town we didn't see any other taxis. When the bus stopped at the 'New Station' south of town there were about 5 taxis waiting for fares alongside a row of Tuk-Tuks. Today we ended up taking a Tuk-Tuk home because we couldn't find a taxi. I guess that was a minor concession from the new cab company. One of these days they will learn to coexist.
Here's a bit of traffic trivia that everyone who drives a car in Thailand should be aware of: In an altercation between a car and a motorbike, it's always the car's fault. Hmm, no wonder some motorbike riders seem so fearless.
(555)
It's time for Wacky Wednesday.
Peace,
Danny
"When I let go of what I am,
I become what I might be.When I let go of what I have,
I receive what I need."
~Tao Te Ching
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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