Friday Funnies

Hi,

Weather wise, we know that it’s hot, but we can’t really see the sky so we don’t know what’s going on.  In Chiang Rai we suspected that it might have been cloudy this morning because it all felt darker.  We’re in Chiang Mai where the air is even worse.

The not so ‘Zany Day’ song was “I Won’t Last A Day Without You” by The Carpenters.  As their week comes to an end, here’s an ‘Old School Friday’ from 1970:  “Why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near?  Just like me, (__ __ __ __) __ __ __.”  Hint:  Really?    

We took our time getting to Chiang Mai this morning.  Usually, there’s a window of accessibility that we’re dealing with when trying to see a doctor.  This time there were no appointments so we left a little later and didn’t push it on the highway.  That was nice.  There was the traditional ‘pie stop’ and then we just cruised down the road for 3 hours.  Central Festival Mall was our designated lunch stop since we were a little early for hotel check-in.  Friday lunchtime during the season of really bad air is the easiest way to test a mall’s capabilities (555).  There were a lot of people in there, strolling, shopping, eating and ice-skating.  We ate at restaurant chain that features coffee, what else?  Their latest concoction is a ‘mango, coffee, fizzy’.  The mango juice gets a shot of sparkling water, and then coffee americano is slowly poured into the glass.  It stays separated until the first stir and then it starts to blend.  I took it in stages and I liked it.  I hope they offer it in Chiang Rai.

On the road this morning we saw lots of fires.  Not the actual flames, but the smoke rising from hillsides, burning among the trees.  For some reason, I had imagined all the fires were in remote areas, but these were right there in plain sight, visible from the highway.  Need I say more?

The air in Chiang Mai does not seem to have discouraged visitors from shopping at the Night Bazaar.  On my way back to our hotel this evening, after my meeting, the sidewalks were full of people looking for bargains, taking photos and generally having that special vacation.  Some wore masks, but a lot did not.  A friend of ours just returned from Hua Hin, which is a coastal town east of Bangkok.  He spent time there to avoid the air in Chiang Mai. Last night he slept with his mask on to avoid the air.  We’ll drive back to Chiang Rai tomorrow (Saturday).

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.

                        Peace,

                                  Danny