Chang Mai

My trip to Chang Mai started off with a tragic bus ride... The bus I was riding ran over and killed a motorcyclist. It was terrible. Needless to say, I was a bit shell shocked when I reached the city of Chang Mai.

However, this gentle city put me at ease and I am completely smitten. The temples and the monks in orange really dominate the city scape and it is so lovely here.
Yesterday I took a Thai cooking class and went out into the country side to an organic farm where the school hosts the classes. Now I can finally make Curry and Tom Yum Soup as spicy as I want! Watch out guys!

My sunburn has finally settled into a nice tan and now everyone thinks that I am Thai. Its kind of funny. Before my tan everyone thought I was Chinese and now after my tan everyone thinks I am Thai (including Thai people!). So this goes to answer the age old question. Yes, even Asians can't tell Asians apart!

Tomorrow I am off to Mae Hong Son which is a remote area near Myanmar. I am going backpacking in the mountains for a few days so I will be out of touch for a bit. I will take lots of pics.

xo-m

Sukhothai

I got a bit caught up and am getting a late start to posting updates. I am on day 5 of my trip through Thailand. My hide is burnt to a crisp and I am putting enuogh chili pepper on my food that even that locals look on with fear. This is my thrid day in Sukothai. The ruins here are so spectacular it was really worth the long train and bus ride to get here. I made a good girl friend on the way in Ayuttaya a very lovely Dutch lawyer we're off to Chang Mai in a bit. There was a random Japanese guy who was "backpacking" with a breif case who was following us around for a bit but he seems to have vanished to his next destination. Really odd fellow with fancy ladies sunglasses, tight dark denim jeans and woman's camping hat.

Eating Tokyo in a day and a half is near impossible.... Some highlights:

• Amazing Ramen in Koku-ryo at a place called Kuma-oh. If you make it there, make sure you get the Shoyu Ramen with garlic.
• Insanely good Yakitori in Hatsudai called Tori-ya. The Chicken Thigh and the Gizzards were deelish!