14.03.2008 Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai

A night out the local way

Today K and I joined another tour to Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangel north east of Chiang Mai. We spent most of the day in the bus for we had to drive three hours each way. We looked at yet another temple, had lunch and then went to the golden triangle which is the boarder between Thailand, Laos and Burma. Everyone was impressed by the view and they were excited about being able to see three countries at once. Because I live near a boarder triangle myself (Switzerland, Germany, France) I didn't think it was that thrilling, but it was still a nice area to spend time. Later on we looked at some temple designed by a Thai artist (apparently one of the most famous artists in Thailand and yet I can't remember his name).

In the evening we were picked up by K's friend Tai who lives in Chiang Mai. They used to work together. He took us to a local restaurant. He ordered food for about eight people or so but we were just the three of us. It was really nice to just sit there and relax after a long day on the road and listen to local musicians. Their singing was so calm and I really enjoyed listening to them :)

When we were about half way through the meal Tai left to pick up another friend of his. When they got back the guys left to smoke and left me alone with the girl (hmm... can't remember her name). She didn't speak much English but she made a great effort to converse. I asked her to eat for we had so much left but she said that she was on a diet. What, Thai girls have to diet too??? And how is it supposed to make me feel when a girl so much slimmer than me says she's too fat?! What must she be thinking of me? But yet again she thought that I am very beautiful thanks to my white skin.

After we had finished dinner we went to a club. When we entered the place I was a bit surprised to see tables everywhere. We sat down and ordered drinks. Apparently in Thailand they have tables in their clubs where they sit and drink or just dance in groups between tables and chairs. There was also a live band performing mainly Thai songs.

Tai's friend was very eager to introduce me to two of her girlfriends. One of them immediately made me feel weird. I didn't really like her face but I couldn't have said why. Tai's friend asked me if I thought they were beautiful. One of them looked quite good but as I said, there was something strange about the other one. I consider myself as being quite straight forward but I'm not very familiar with Thais yet and therefore decided to just say that they are both very beautiful. I then heard K laugh behind me saying "Ladyboys". Oh gee, I had totally forgotten about that. I had been aware of their existence and now I just unexpectedly made my first acquaintance with two of them.

At 1am the lights went on and the club closed. I was surprised that we had to leave so soon but K said that everything has to close at 1am by law.

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Part of trip: Round-the-World Trip Part I

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