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Published: November 28th 2007
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In the Fields
Waiting for the guys to get back from their run After a Thanksgiving dinner spent at a traditional Thai dinner and dance theater, I headed up to Pai with four other people that I went trekking with. Originally I had planned to spend a few days in Chiang Mai, but I wasn't overly impressed with the city and had heard a few raving reviews of Pai. After a dizzying three hour drive that was all switch backs in the road we arrived in Pai and I immediately fell in love with the city.
Pai is a very small city surrounded by mountains with a river running along the edge of the town. It is a very charming place with many cute shops and cafes. All of the guest houses are little bungalows and are very charming. After finding a place to stay at the Family House, we rented bikes and took off exploring the town. The surrounded fields were amazing to ride through and we found a little trail for hiking.
The following day we rented motorcycles so we could view more of the outskirts of town. At first I wasn't so keen on the idea since I have never ridden before but after five minutes I was having
the time of my life. It was so much fun to go all around and see the outskirts of the town. The scenery was amazing - The only problem was Aviel's bike breaking down after about an hour of driving. After getting his bike fixed we headed into a village on the outskirts of town to explore. We found the temple where the locals were setting up for a festival later on that evening. We stopped and chatted with them for a while and then headed back into town.
On Sunday we took a Thai cooking class! The best part of the class is that you get to eat what you make! We made Phad Thai, Cashew chicken, spring rolls, mango salad and curry. This food was so much better than Silk Thai at home. Our instructor also took us to the local market and told us about produce and we tried grasshoppers - they taste like chicken. After the class our instructor showed Janada and me how to make the flower floats for the festival that was happening that night. You take the floats and put them in the river to say thank you to the river.
Biking Over the Bridge
Not the best of ideas. That night the festival was going on in the street - words cannot describe this experience. There was a parade first and then all the floats stopped in one area and it was a huge dance party in the street. It was nice that all of the young people were into the festival and on the streets as well. There was also a Muay Thai boxing match going on and a beauty pageant across the way - I watched the boxing.
On Monday, Janada, Shivaan and I went to a Muay Thai training center and took a Thai boxing class. It was so much fun and such a good workout. It's amazing how flexible the boxers have to be and how strong they are. Let's just say that I used some muscles that haven't been used for quite a long time and I was very sore afterwards but I would really like to do it again. It's a good way to take out some extra aggression.
The best part about being in Pai was the food. I'm absolutely addicted to the Rotti Pancakes which are like crepes with condensed milk on top. There is also these fried coconut
Dinner at a Local Restaurant
Let's just say it was good, spicy and cheap! and corn cakes that are to die for and I had the best lemon grass tea of my life. I think part of the reason the food is so good is that I go into it with low expectations because I don't really know what the food is. Since the vendors specialize in one or two foods what they make are usually amazing. Aviel's favorite thing to say to me in Pai was "leave some food for the locals." I just about sent the pancake guy's kid to college.
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and I left Pai and my new found friends. I headed back to Chiang Mai where I did the night market last night. It was absolutely insane - I just about got lost it was so large and so many vendors! Needless to say I spent way too much money and now have to carry around all of the items that I purchased. This afternoon I am taking a bus to the border of Thailand where the following day I will begin a two day boat journey to Luang Probang in Laos. I am not really looking forward to the next
Uh Oh...
Trying to Fix the Bike few days of traveling but it is a good thing I have a good book and a fully charged ipod!
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Lindsay
non-member comment
God I'm so jealous of you right now!! Luang Prabang is one of my favorite little cities in the world, hope you enjoy!! You have to go tubing down the river in Vang Vien as well :) Can't wait to see pictures and hear stories!!