Reality

Hi,

We’re back to the forecasts that seem to repeat, day after day.  Chiang Rai was somewhere between 102° and 105° today, with ‘unhealthy’ air.  We arrived at 2:15pm, in the heat of the day.  There was no ocean breeze like in Hua Hin.  On the other hand, there was no oppressive humidity either.  Oh well, it will change eventually.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song has lots of friends out there.  The song has lasted through many generations.  “When I’m watchin’ my TV and that man comes on and tells me how white my shirts can be, but he can’t be a man 'cause he doesn’t smoke the same cigarettes as me.  I can’t get no, oh no no no.  (__ __ __ __) __….”  Clue:  Expectations not met.

There are a few observations from Hua Hin that are worth noting.  There was an aggressive nature in the Night Market that reminded us of Bangkok.  One could almost say we’ve been spoiled by the gentle nature of Chiang Rai.  Having grown up with the sun rising from the east, over trees, it was a little confusing this weekend to have the sun rise out of the water in the Gulf of Thailand.  Later in the day, we were confused about where it was going to set.  The internal compass lost it’s way.  

Saturday morning we saw some crazy and unique things at BluPort Mall.  There was a big display of balloon art that was literally ‘bigger than life’.  

On the crazy side of things there was, what I call the ‘EleCycle’.  It appeared to be made of concrete.  

Both of the two malls we visited required at least 2 days to fully explore.  There were sections of both that didn’t require deep thought, but then there were the special things.  On the bottom floor of BluPort there was a big food court.  It was meant to be like eating street food in a controlled environment.  No cash was exchanged with the vendors.  You buy a money card for a certain amount and the vendor deducts what your food costs.  We’re not good at places like this because we have things we don’t eat, things we eat with exceptions, and simple things that some folks can’t make.  It was fun, regardless of the food.  There was a little boy who was collecting discarded food cards and trying to redeem them for drinks.  I watched, as card after card came up with a zero balance.  He already had an armful of soft drinks, no doubt for his ‘crew’.  

Our trip back to Chiang Rai began at 7am this morning.  We saved hours on our return to Bangkok by hiring a private van through a ‘broker’.  We got to the airport with enough time to relax before boarding our flight to Chiang Rai.  There’s nothing worse than feeling pressured and having to rush from here to there.  Ahh, the art of travel.

We could certainly tell the difference in the air when we arrived.  If the visual wasn’t enough, the smell and eventual headache made it obvious that something is wrong.  People are posting photos of burning on Facebook, and a campaign is being formed to present photos to the powers that be.  After dinner, Natcha and Nitchanan came upstairs and hung out.  Actually, Nitchanan came up by herself and then her mom joined us.  We learned that Natcha is studying English on Youtube and Nitchanan will begin her ‘second school’ for English and math this weekend.  

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“Few people have the imagination

for reality.”

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe