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Published: November 18th 2006
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Well, I'm now in Chiang Mai. It was a lot of effort leaving Bangkok though, as much as I tried. The night after I got back from the Tiger Temple, myself, Jesse and a friend of his from Taiwan all went out to Patpong to see the "ping pong show." Haha, I'm not gonna review what the show is exactly as this is a G rated blog, but lets just say it was interesting. The next day I made an attempt to leave Bangkok by train. I caught a taxi to the train station and found out that all the 2nd class sleeper trains were booked for like a week. Disgruntled I sat down and ate some KFC. It was absolutely disgusting, but while sitting at my table I spoke to a couple from Germany who had just been up to Chiang Mai and they pointed out a few spots that they really enjoyed visiting. After speaking to them I went to use the john. On my way my eyes caught an odd sight in the ladies bathroom, a pair of urinals. Oh Thailand, so accomidating to everyone. Unknowing what to do I sat down outside on the curb, then is
when I was approached by a middle aged Thai man. and here is what he said:
T: "Where you want to go?"
B: "Oh, I was just trying to catch a train to Chian Mai"
T: "You want go Chiang Mai? You buy Chicken"
B: "...what? I buy chicken?"
T: "Yes, you go Chiang Mai, you buy chicken"
B: "So, are these chickens gonna be on the bus with me? Or do I buy them there?"
T: "No, I sell you chicken, you go Chiang Mai"
B: "What am I supposed to do with these Chicken?"
T: "Go Chiang Mai"
It's at this point he grabs a ticket from the ground and waves it in my face. I laugh, smile, and tell him that I think I will wait to buy my ticket, but that I need to go back to Khao San Road. He's actually a tuk tuk driver and offers me a reasonable deal to go back. Might I say these tuk tuk drivers are intense. There is no left and right lane for this guy. He was driving against traffic, zipping in and out of cars, and getting me to my destination as fast as
I can. I got some videos and pictures, but my camera is charging right now at my guest house.
I checked into a different place just off Khao San Road where I met some english blokes. We all went out for an elaphant jug (I think it's a 6 ltr jug that has a pump at the bottom). I told them I was gonna call it a night about 1 (You don't know how many times I have said this and the following situation has ensued). So, as I made my way back to my guesthouse I saw some friends sitting on these drinking mats on the road near My House (My House guesthouse that is). I sat down, met some new people and didn't get back until late (won't say how late). The next day I booked my Ticket to Chiang Mai through my guesthouse. Only 10 can dollars, but it's no sleeper train I guess. That day I went sightseeing with a Thai girl I met the night before. Her english is very good and she was able to explain a lot about the city to me. We went up to the Golden Mountain which gave a
magnifican panoramic view of the city and we went to the zoo! The ZOO!!! I haven't been to a zoo in years. My jaw was on the ground the whole time. They had monkeys, giraffes, asiatic bears, all sorts of stuff. We had a really good time and finished up with some food at a thai resuraunt near Khao San. She gave me some dried garlic bread cookies for the road and we said goodbye.
At 6pm that night I caught the bus. "The bus will meet you outside your guesthouse". (I don't know what they Thai's just tell you what you want to hear). Needless to say we had to walk about a kilometer. Then our bus was too full and we had to wait about 30 mins for another. I'm pretty good with this sort of stuff though, it's not like I'm in a rush to go anywhere. So, I was almost the last person on the bus and was left to the back seat more or less. I took it. It did not recline, it had foot rests too far down for my feet, and I had a 12 hour bus ride ahead of me. I
might have been envious of the rest of the bus, but it probably turned out to be the opposite as no one every joined me on the back seat and I rightfully turned it into a full sized bed. Awwww, what a bus ride. So comfortable. I slept a good majority of the ride while listening to "Brod on the Road J - P" made for me by Eubie. When we got to Chiang Mai I immediate noticed that the weather was that much cooler, which was rather refreshing. Then the obvious happened. We were brought to a guesthouse in the old city center and offered rooms, treks, and room trek combos. Haha, not ever having a plan has its ups and downs. It wasn't a bad price for the trek and I got a couple nguihts accomidation for cheap. However, the got me to do a 3 day rather than 2, which may be a little much! We'll find out! The room they have me is massive though, and I have a private bathroom. For under 6$. I'll take it. I went and walked the city center today and I met a lady from Vancouer who livse here. She
gave me the low down on the "real night market" to check out at like 70% less than the famous one. I'm down as this place is only 10 seconds from my guesthouse. So, I walked the city center and had my first spontanious usage of the Thai language of "Koh Tote Kapp" while walking behind to elderly ladies who I wished to pass. Now I'm just killing some time before out trek meeting. It's 3 days and 2 nights starting tommorow morning. We are going up near Pai which is northwest of here and the tourguide claims its very untouristy. We'll see, he actually made it out to be a pretty cool tour, but of course he would. Haha, actually, this dude was quite funny. I was having a good laugh while he was talking (not at him) and he ended with "Here at nice place guest house 'We love you long time' " So, we'll see how this Trekking thing goes and I'll do an update with pictures when I get back. Take care.
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Sam
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AND guy in Zoo
I'd love to see pictures of the zoo if you took any. Looks like you're meeting a lot of really nice people which is always nice when you're on your own in a strange country. Keep at 'er.