Hi,
It's March in Chiang Rai, it's hot in Chiang Rai. The nights are getting warmer, which means the pool is getting closer to swimming temps.
It would appear that the 'Zany Day' song is still in some of your minds. Here's more, see if the hint helps.
"Call some other's 'baby' that ain't all. I wanna kiss her but she's way too tall. Young man rhythm's got a hold of me too, I got the __ __ __ __ __ __ __." Hint: Originally recorded by a man whose middle name is the instrument he plays. His illnesses have musical names.
The last few days we have been plagued with odd cell phone outages. Lisa, Cat and I have all had problems making or receiving calls here at home. Blue's phone seemed to be immune from whatever was going on. Today, while I was waiting for Blue and Lisa at Maefahluang U. Clinic, I decided to see if my phone would work. It worked fine and I was able to make a call to the U.S. with no problem. Then, when we got home I had no service. What? This afternoon we made our third trip to Big C and found out that they were working on the signal in our area. This evening at dinner Cat got a call from customer service telling us it was all fixed. This makes us all very happy.
The air quality is a hot topic of conversation in Chiang Rai. Threads on expat sites are giving information on proper masks to buy, and suggestions for staying healthy during this period. It's hard to believe that some folks are outside riding bikes and jogging when the visibility is so bad. Many locals apparently just take it in stride. It's just what happens in March. What really makes it 'interesting' to me is the fact that it comes from something other than industry and vehicles. It comes from burning crop waste, trash and occasional forest fires. It's another chance for us to experience the evolution of a culture. I remember growing up with an incinerator in the back yard before they were banned. That was a long time ago and it makes me wonder how long it will take before more strict enforcement of burning laws will be implemented. Until then, stay inside and run the air filter, or put on the mask. OK, end of rant.
While we were sitting in traffic on the Super Highway today we saw a procession of six pick-up trucks carrying four to six young men each, sitting in chairs in the back of the trucks. They were all dressed in white robes and their heads were freshly shaved. Cat explained that they will be monks for the summer and this is a way of telling people. We had never seen this before, but she said that it's done every year.
BamBam is still going through a period of adjustment since Boot's departure. Last night every time she heard a sound, she would go to our bedroom door, look back and wait for us to react. She was sure it must have been Boot or Rudy. She finally settled down, but at 4am she started pacing. At 5am she barked. I only remember hearing Lisa tell her 'No bark'. We are hoping she will sleep all night tonight. She's trying to behave, but dogs are creatures of habits and patterns and hers have been changed abruptly. Hmm, so have ours for that matter.
Tomorrow we will post a job notice at the government employment office and start calling friends and letting them know we are searching for a housekeeper. The adventure continues.
Today's photo was taken when we visited our friend in the government hospital. This waterfall is in an outdoor corridor that was full of sick and injured patients. In an atmosphere filled with pain and sadness it's a wonderful oasis for contemplation or distraction. While I was taking the photo, two little girls were leaning on the rail, just staring.
Have a Thrilling Thursday.
Peace,
Danny
"Gratitude is not only the greatest
of virtues, but the parent of all the
others."
~Marcus Tullius Cicero
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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