Yoga, Lights and let downs

Trip Start Nov 02, 2007

Trip End Dec 02, 2007

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Flag of Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Sunday, November 25, 2007

Today was a strange day. It started well with a lovely yoga workshop with Dana. I was the only one there so got a 1:1 which was great. I've really loosened since being here as one of the positions I just couldn't get near to back in Bristol but was able to get to and hold (a little) today. So that was nice to see.

We then went out for lunch to this great veggie buffet place. 80B for all you can eat. The choice was great, lots of lovely food, soup and dessert :-) Needless to say we were all a bit stuffed when we left. We wandered around a little market that was near by. Really nice stuff and completely empty of people. The things were a bit more up market but there were some great wholesale type places selling pottery and things so I will go back and get some bits from there later.

I then got a text from vera saying to meet at her guesthouse

Another Loi Kratong Float

. Turns out she got locked out of her guesthouse friday night so ended up walking the streets till 7am! Therefore she was a bit tired when we met at 1.30pm. We went out for a coffee and decided to get our hair done again. Just a wash and dry, 80B (<2 pounds) and it's worth it just for the head massage :-) She styled my hair slightly differently, with quite a heavy fringe (not cut again, just styled) but I didn't really like it, so swept it to the side once I had the chance :-)

As vera wanted to get a bit more sleep before the evening and the festival we decided to meet up again at about 7pm at the ThaPae gate (a main pedestrian area and centre for the festival). Dana had already mentioned meeting there so it worked out well. At least that was the plan...

I wanted something nice to wear so I went shopping for a nice dress. I found one in the nice little shop, off the main streets. The lady there was lovely and as soon as I tried on this peach/yellow dress she was very excited. Apparantly (unless it was just shpeel) I was the first person who had tried it on who could actually pull off wearing that dress. It's quite a slim fit, but not clingy, and it quite long on me (not Long tall sally long though). I really liked it and the lady started picking out jewellery to match

Balloons at ThaPae Gate

. By the end of it I had on a necklace, anklet (yes I know you hate them Dad), bracelet, earrings and a bag, all matching beautifully. It was a lot of money (for Thailand) but actually not for what I got. I paid 1000B (about 16 pounds) for the lot. It should have been about 1200 but I haggled a little, afterall I had bought just about everything I could (if she sold shoes I would have bought some) so I had some bargaining power. She agreed and I felt happy I had a good deal. Afterall each accessory would have cost about 150B in the markets so the dress actually only cost me 400B which isn't bad. It's got a nice feel to it and it's 2 layers so doesn't feel cheap.

Anyway I was feeling quite good about this. I got changed and felt gorgeous. Now maybe it's just coincidence but I decided to take off the piece of string that had been given to me as a blessing by the monk at Doi Suthiep (I did say a prayer of thankyou as I removed it though). However soon after I received a rather blunt text from Vera saying "Can't make it. Have Fun. See you tomorrow". I rang her to find out what had changed, turns out she went down the river with some of her friend Belle and decided she'd rather stay there. Fair enough I guess, but I did feel a bit hurt, afterall she knew Belle was coming to town and had even told me about her, but didn't feel she could invite me down with them.

Firework Explosion

Anyway I tried not to get too involved in the emotions I was feeling and decided to go and meet Dana and have a nice evening. Again that was the plan. I walked to ThaPae gate and it was really beautiful. Lanteens everywhere, ballons going up, firecrackers and fireworks going off all over the place. I got there and started to watch the parade. I rang Dana and she said they were just finishing a Reiki session but would be over soon. I waited and watched, taking lots of video. About an hour later still no sign or call. I tried to ring her again but the phone was constantly busy. I was feeling a bit pissed off now as my fun evening with friends had turned to crap. At that moment I did meet Nola and Tae, from my course. They were about to go off to this new Arty Lounge place with some of their friends and they said I could come along. I slightly regret my decision now but I felt a bit bad in case Dana turned up and I wasn't there. Plus Vera was at the riverside so I thought I could wander down there and join them (if I felt like it). So I thanked them for the offer and said goodbye.
I sent Dana a text saying that I was going to walk to the river and maybe catch up with her later. During the walk I calmed down a bit about Vera and everything and started to enjoy the parade a bit more. It really was very pretty and the people were all enjoying themselves.

Loi Kratong Float

I got to the bridge and it was completely mad. Fireworks going off everywhere, firecrackers exploding my your feet (a few were a bit too close for comfort) so it got my adrenaline up a bit, which maybe wasn't the best thing.

I got to the riverside and no sign of Vera anywhere. I rang her and found out that they had already left. I guess her night on the street got the better of her. I did feel pretty pissed though. I walked back down the parade route and back to ThaPae gate, with every intention of just going home to sleep. However peace had gradually returned to me and the gate area was just so beautiful I sat down and just watched and listened. They were playing some really nice music (bit swing, bit classical) and it was lovely. I watched little kids playing with firecrackers, couple taking pictures, families and tourists. It was blissful and a nice rest for my feet, which were hurting quite a bit by now.

I drifted off at some point and headed back to my guesthouse. My outfit had gone down very well and several people had said how beautiful I looked, including the guy who owns the guesthouse :-) I think he fancied me and he gave me a beer and we chatted a little. He didn't seem to understand when I said that I didn't want a boyfriend :-) I said goodnight and went to bed. I felt reasonably good but still a bit frustrated that 2 nights running my party plans had fallen flat.

Just in case I put the piece of string back on as soon as I got back in the room :-) We'll see.