Jhughes

Well, after nearly 24 hours of traveling, we made it home safely. My oldest sister, Vanessa, greeted David and me at the Portland Airport. She kindly refused to hug me as my cough reminded her that I have been "sick". The longest leg of our three flights was from Hong Kong to Los Angeles. It was 12 hours long. Did I say it was long? David watched five movies, including "Kick Ass," "Iron Man," and I cannot remember the other three. I watched Sex and the City Two, or, well, 3/4 of what I could stomach. Did you know that movie is two and a half hours long? That is exactly two and a half hours TOO long - it was terrible and I did not finish it. I also watched Greenberg, not a bad film ... read more

It isn’t Thailand that I am tiring of. It is not having a home that makes me weary. I have been living out of my suitcase for five weeks in Thailand, venturing to the Northernmost part and down to the Southern beaches with various stops along the way. Yesterday, I felt exhausted and worn out. My body is in a permanent state of ache from riding several uncomfortable buses to and fro different destinations; from hard, rock-like mattresses that offer no support for my back; from carrying a heavy pack around on my shoulders. For three weeks, my boyfriend and I traveled from Bangkok to Authaya, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Doa, Mae Salong and over the border into Myanmar. We slept in bamboo huts with flooding walkways and squatter toilets. We laid awake in ... read more

Chinese steamed buns are delicious. And, when you happen upon a street store in Chiang Rai that only sells Chinese steamed buns in a variety of flavors, you buy six. We bought: Taro, Green Tea, Chocolate, Corn Custard and, just to be bold, Tofu with Veggies and Pork. Needless to say, the sweet ones took the cake, but they were all very, very delicious. We are both sad that we have not encountered a place such as this either before or after Chiang Rai. However, steamed buns with Red beans are often sold so we get those when we can. They are delicious. Come to think of it though, I haven’t seen a steamed bun in Phuket! Stupid beaches. ... read more

After riding farther north in an overheated sorng-taa-ou for two hours, we arrived in Chiang Dao. The sun was extremely strong and it was scorching hot beating down on my body. We wandered down the street for a moment, before deciding that we were without desire of wandering the streets finding a place to sleep. We talked to a couple of tourists who recommended renting a motorbike and taking it seven kilometers to the Nest, a lovely accommodation (and to boot, a Lonely Planet ‘pick’). We entered the motorbike rental shop and expressed our interest. Five minutes later, after simply leaving David’s passport with the employee, we were proud renters of a Honda motorbike. David kick strated the machine and I sat behind him and we were off. Stop. Go. Stop. Accelerate. Jerk. “Are you sure ... read more

Walking down the streets of Thailand, smells of food fill the air - sweet, spicy curries; grilled, fresh vegetables; whole, fried fish. It is impossible to walk more than five minutes without coming across a street vendor. Prices as low as 15 baht for a bowl of steaming hot, noodle soup are handwritten on a board resting against mobile kitchens. Inside a small cart, many talented women chefs can prepare nearly any Thai dish you name, all with the help of a handful of starches, a variety of vegetables and an assortment of spices. Having eating at several street vendors and savoring each bite, David and I decided it was our turn to try cooking. There are numerous daily cooking classes offered throughout Thailand with no shortage in Chiang Mai. After our hotel suggested we go ... read more

In the United States, a lower end, one-hour massage costs $50. In Thailand, a reputable one-hour massage costs 150 baht, or, roughly five US dollars. David and I arrived at the Thai Massage Conservation Center in Chiang Mai anticipating a highly desired, and much needed relaxing massage. We chose this particular place because all of the masseuses are blind, which can only mean they are much more sensitive to touch and will know exactly how to remove all of our knots. When we arrived, a receptionist immediately led us inside, where several massage beds were lined up with only a draping sheet in between, and we could see people receiving massages. A blind man motioned for me to lie down on the newly sheeted bed. At the foot of the bed, he fiddled with his black ... read more

Wandering down Mae Nam Khwae in search for breakfast, a woman shouted out “Where you go?” Somewhat overwhelmed by the numerous taxi drivers seeking out fair skinned transplants, I didn’t attempt to speak slowly, “We are looking for someplace to eat.” She rushed to the back counter, grabbed a menu and ushered us inside to one of the tables. “Our pad Thai is very good,” she said with a thick, Thai accent. “Goo ai dee oh pát thai dow hoo?” David asked for pad Thai with tofu. “Yes, yes.” Mrs. Yupayong Pholudom pulled up a blue, plastic chair to the wooden table and sat with David and me while we waited for our food. She explained to us that she used to work for the government and now she has owned Valentine Bar for nearly four ... read more