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Published: January 14th 2008
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BMP Friends
People we met the first night in Chiang Mai If you don't know who that is feel to Google image the man and then compare my face with his. It was apparent on my arrival to Chiang Mai that the Thai's up here (and potentially all of Thailand) watch English football (soccer) and are fans of Wayne Rooney. He's one of the star plays on Manchester United (ManU) and has been sucessful on England's national team. I have been in Chiang Mai and the nothern region for six days and day after day people have come up to me and asked if I was Rooney. My nickname at the hostel is Rooney, I was at a rest stop coming out of a bathroom and av woman approched saying that her freinds told her I was Rooney, two Thai guys bought me a beer at a club and cheersed to ManU, a German took a picutre with me because his son is a huge ManU and Rooney fan, and to top it off when we were rafting a group of 20 Thais sitting on top of rocks surrounding the river approxmitally 20-30 feet away started chanting "Rooney, Rooney." One of them even had Rooney's jersey on raised to show me in
admirration. I've heard this comparission before but never on the frequency and consistancy I have here. To be honest I have been enjoying my new found fame and have been waving or saying cheers to whoever passes by. If it's someone To tell the truth I have been playing it up a bit trying to act like I am keeping a low profile at clubs and it seems to work. If my reseblance lands me a few free beers and the Thais have a good story to tell I am fine with it.
Other than signing autographs I have been busy having a blast. For the past six days we have been using Chiang Mai as a home base and went on a three day trek through the jungle of northern Thailand, which included being lead by a local guide (Mr. Sun- who was a hilarious man who loved to pull pranks on everyone) and staying in local villages. The second night we stayed next to a waterfall and following day went rafting on bamboo rafts and elephant trekking- see pics. It was a small group, 8 for the first night and 14 for the second, most of whom
Tekking
Just getting started were young and all were good fun. We have encountered few Americans but English seems to be the common launguage which has been convienient. Feel free to see the pics and it will explain a little more about what we did and how much fun it was.
The night we got home a Mauy Thai fight was held and went out with our new friend Caroline. Our guide was kind enough to make reservations, and once again his humor comes out. Upon arrival it was clear he had booked us in the section where all the waiters (waitresses? I guess it depends on how far in the process they are) are ladyboys, and yes that is they're prefered title, one of which quickly developed a crush on Rich. Muay Thai is like kick boxing but with elbow throws and knees kicks allowed. We watched 6 fights in all the most anticipated was an American vs. a Thai. They were trading blows back and forth but the American came in with a devestaing combo and knocked the Thai down. Upon our return to the hostel our new Kiwi and Icelandic friends we ready to go out to the club. We
rolled out 12 strong a nd pilled into two Tuk Tuks. There are clearly no rules about these things because (sorry Mum) we had three sitting in the back bench, one lying arross the top and one hanging off the back. These things normally fit two maybe three, we had five and the other Tuk Tuk had seven; apparently holding on the sides of a tuk tuk is a good way to get a lot of people somewhere quickly. We all danced and drank the night away and had a blast but the was one thing different about this club. When your in the bathroom and start washing your hands a guy comes up to you and starts massaging your shoulders and neck they even us what I can only call chiropracter moves and crack your back and neck, now this is the night after trekking for three days and sleeping on bamboo floors, I can tell you it was amazing. It was totally worth the 20 baht, equivilent of $.80 USD, I paid for the impromptu massage. The evening was capped off by a late night wander through an early morning market which sold every kind of food you
could imagine from every portion of an aminal to exotic fruits and vegtables to Pad Thai, which I definatly took part in. Late to bed and early to rise we spent the following day lounging by the pool with our Kiwi friends before they left for the islands.
The next few days we will be doing some day trips in the surrounding areas and hopefully an overnight in a national park. Stay tuned.
Oh yeah, I can't find the spell check so sorry for any misspellings.
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MB
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So...where can we send the Manchester United jersey? You may be able to upgrade to free pitchers of beer if you start wearing the jersey, white shorts and knee socks!! MB