Traveling

Chiang Mai sellout

Some one tricked me! Chiang Mai is just a greener Bangkok! I don't know what I was expecting but, ahh sadness..
The train was so long! 12 hrs sounds not too bad after traveling Asia for a bit, but geez! I took 2nd class AC seat, not sleeper, but the AC was hardly working and I had to snuggle with the guy next to me because, well, it was him or the cockroach that insisted on sleeping next to me! All nite! He was there in the morning!

Heard that the tuktuk drivers rip you off and try to get commission from the guest house you stay at so I had mine just drop me off on a corner. He left me on the wrong corner and kept followiung me asking where I was staying... I walked the same block back and forth 3 times before he gave up turning around and around to follow me.. I had to visit 4 guest houses before one was free.. started to get a little nervous but I am staying at the Libra- it's great! The people are so friendly, I want to stay just for the entertainment. There's a lady boy that hits on every guy- these 2 Korean guys were sitting with me this afternoon and the guy asked their room number and they told him, and he said "see you tonite" and winked.. It was too funny!

After talking to a couple of places and people, I realised there isn't much to do in Chiang Mai, even tho it is the flower festival, AND I don't have enough time to really get anywhere SO I signed up for a 2 day 1 night trek. It's full out elephant riding (I know I am so bad) and bamboo raft riding, and only 3hrs walking each day. Have to break in my trekking boots!

I'll let you know how that goes.

So I went to Jerusalem for supper- so great to eat smthg other than noodles and rice! I am right freakin tired of fried noodles with veggies and fried rice with veggies! The was no room so I sat with this Brasilian guy who was in chiang mai learning thai massage. Nice guy- had spent 4 months in Nepal and some time in India and Tibet. Funny thing was, his English was no good so he wanted to speak in Frech! It's getting to be like if I didn't speak French I wouldn't be able to speak to anyone! ;)

Walking back I noticed so many Thai in winter jackets- and its prob about 15 degrees outside- but they are all bundled up- and I am still sweating! Walked along the moat, thru some food markets and I thought about taking some photos, but at this point everything is so common to me that I would only be taking them for you guys, and I think you have had enough market shots, ya?

So I walked past the guest houses and they all had movies playing and I could go and watch one and get a smoothie or I could come to post a blog and talk to Chuck on msn.. no real choice now is there?

I will let you know how the trekking goes..

posted by jjoollee @ 5:25 AM