Sa Wat Dii, ka!

Hello all from Chiang Mai! This vacation has turned into a full-time job so this week haven't had much opportunity to site-see or update the blog. Have been very busy taking courses in Thai language and Thai massage. Also, the markets here are quite consuming but I think I'm finally shopped out.

The language class is great, learning a lot of words and phrases that should help me as much in Laos as in Thailand. And who could complain about receiving several hours of daily thai massage from a true expert? (Thanks for the Lek Chiaya recommendation, Christa!)

As far as Chiang Mai goes, it's kind of Thai utopia with all amenities within spitting distance by bicycle. A very laid back and funky town with hundreds of temples, foot massage shops, markets, restaurants, yoga, etc. Though everything is relatively close, I still manage to get lost everytime I leave my guesthouse. Spent two hours the other day looking for my guesthouse only 4 blocks away....oh my. (Golden Triangle has turned Bermuda Triangle). So now my cardinal rule is to never get out of bed without map and compass.

Speaking of my guesthouse, I couldn't be happier than at the Happy House. For less than $6/night I have a very clean, comfy, quiet room with private bath/shower and a safe place downstairs to lock up my bike at night. Don't worry, Mom. I'm probably going to have a bed to sleep in every night I'm in Asia; this isn't a camping trip.

Still meeting lots of great people everywhere I go. Not much more to report right now since school is monopolizing my time. At the end of the week I'll have an opportunity to see some temples and spend a couple days at an elephant rescue park. I plan to be in Chiang Mai for another week before hitting the open road on my bicycle. However, the province I'm planning to ride to first (Chiang Rai) is experincing flooding so my plans may change. Photos and stories should get more interesting as I get out of the classroom. Thanks for all your emails!

Kristi