In Chiang Mai

Yesterday, I left Samut Prakan and flew to Chiang Mai in search of language lessons and what I hoped would be cooler weather.  I’m still not sure about the language lessons, but the cooler weather is definitely not happening.  The weather report predicted a temperature of 34 C (93.2 F) for most of the northern region today, which is around the point where weather stops being “hot” and is officially declared as “bullshit.” 

Before I left Samut Prakan, I walked around the old market near Wat Bang Phli Yai to see if they had anything of interest.  I picked up a few more amulet magazines, and happened across an amulet which had the likeness of the monk I am studying, Ajan Lee Thammatharo.  I bought it for 500 baht, which was more than I would like to spend, but I’ve been studying this monk for almost two years now, so it is nice to have a token that represents how much of my life I’ve wasted on this thesis topic. 

I’ll post the few pictures I’ve taken later.  I would have taken more, but something feels weird about going to a foreign country and taking pictures of places and things that most of the people probably consider commonplace. I feel awkward about it.  I’ll also talk more about where I am in Chiang Mai later as well, since I actually want to try and get some things done today. 

I will mention one thing, and that's I’m still without reliable internet access where I am staying.  Right now, I am in a coffee shop/restaurant called The Marble Arch, which serves English Food and drinks.  It also serves some Thai food, and I partook in some very well made Green Curry and chicken.  Unfortunately, because of stomach problems I’ve had in the last few days, I ordered it without much spice.  Which is sad, because curry is supposed to have enough spice for the UN to consider it a chemical weapon.