Loy Krathong all night long

As fate would have it, the swashbuckling trio didn't make it to Laos as they had anticipated. But then, by this time, they had learned to expect the unexpected.
Okay, that was going nowhere.
We learned that it was easier to get to Laos via Chiang Mai, a place we all had wanted to visit anyhow, so here we are.
We took 14ish hour extremely slow, extremelier rickity but still really nifty train ride from Bangkok to Chaing Mai. I am obviously taking extreme liberties with the english language, so, deal with it.
All the seats turned into beds, and beds folded down from the ceiling, which, although I got only maybe 40 minutes total of sleep, was uber nice.
It was a good time though. We bought some beer and got a little silly. We were playing the name things of a specified category in alphabetical order memory game. Doesn't the name just teem with promises of excitement? In the morning, James and I had a brainstorming session for, what I think, are solid gold movie ideas. They will be adventure movies, of which the two of us would be the stars. Pure Nazi annihilating adventure. Not to mention a bear in a hot air balloon. I know this may seem slightly confusing and esoteric to you all, because it is, but I'm enjoying rehashing the memory in my head right now, so there. We had quite a laugh.

So Chiang Mai is Thailand's second biggest city. Don't know how many people live here, but it's not that big. Not even Austin size, not nearly. It is really cool. Any thing you want is here, but it retains it's small, old city charm. Lots of sidewalk vendors peddling tasty treats which I am very eager to try.
I already find myself falling in love with Thailand. It's gorgeous. The culture is beautiful, the people are very kind and beautiful. I won't get into what I find here that I lack at home. You'd have to come here to find out. Plus I don't want to ramble and possibly piss anyone off. It's just great. I find myself wishing I could live here. But then I think, "what other amazing places are there in the world I have yet to discover?" I'm sure there are sooooo many of just as many different kinds. I love to travel!
So Loy Krathong was last night. We got here on the last night of it, and apparently Chiang Mai is the best place to observe the festivities. Look up Loy Krathong on Wikipedia if you want to learn about it, so I don't have to type a ton educating you guys. Also, I don't know alot about it. I was just trying to displace the responsibility.
Anyway. It was like a fantasy world come true. Beautiful Thai women in traditional costumes, doing classical Thai dances. The gawdy yet beautifully ornate floats in the parade. The paper balloons being released into the air, lighting up the night sky, making it seem warm and close. Then we had a few bottles of Chang beer. I should have eaten before that, but what are you gonna do? Also I ate a really really yummy stuffed green pepper. Yayuh!

We are going tomorrow for an over night trek in a national park north of here. I'm going to ride an elephant. I'll definitely be posting photos of that.
More later.
I have a million pics to upload.

And remember, "Pimpin' aint easy, but it's necessassy."

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