Leaving Already!!
Trip Start
Feb 14, 2006
1
16
22
Trip End
May 14, 2006
Chiang Mai,
Thailand
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
I had planned to stay a maximum 3 weeks in Chiang Mai, in the end I have stayed 4 weeks, all of it learning Thai Massage, first at TMC and then at Loi Kroh School. In total I've spent 5 of my 8 weeks in Thailand learning Thai Massage. And if I were here for another week I'd sign up for more!
Chiang Mai is like Bangkok in some respects.
It is also not a beautiful city. The pavements need a serious overhaul, the traffic is horrendous, exhaust fumes likewise, the buildings look cobbled together with no thought or reason in mind. But, for all of that it's a place I'd happily come back to. The many Wats are like gems, scattered throughout the city. The centre of Chiang Mai has a small town feel, I keep on bumping into people I've met before, either in yoga class, the veggie restaurant, down the Night Bazaar
Dog Day Afternoon
. I met someone on a course and then bumped into him and his partner on a trek some time later, and the next day met them again on Doi Suthep. Honest I wasn't following them! And the funniest thing is, they live around the corner from my friend Jill, who I will be visiting in NZ. The world is shrinking too fast! I am here long enough now that I don't need to tell some of the tuk-tuk drivers where my guesthouse is, they know.
The planets of knowledge and communication must be auspiciously placed above Chiang Mai. There are courses in cookery, rock climbing, jewellery, yoga, tailoring and of course massage, and probably more. And everyone you meet seems to be on one course or another. There are also great yoga classes, and Pilates, and a fantastic Ayurvedic Centre.
Other than the 80% of my time learning massage I have managed to fit in some other experiences while here. I spent a fantastic night at the Muay Thai Boxing Stadium. The night started off with the very light-weights, boys 8/9 yrs old, who were really fast and very accurate with their kicks. As the night progressed the weights went up. The last fight was exciting. The opponents were evenly matched, with some very interesting tatoos covering their torsos. The fight was fast, furious; edge of seat stuff. I could see fierce betting happening at the opposite side of the ring
General sunset view of Chiang Mai
. The rhythm of the action was matched by the live music pounded out behind the crowds. On another night I went to Simon Cabaret. A very different experience. This was a very glam, glitzy ladyboy show. Between every stage act a side act was performed, usually involving a helpless young maiden been set upon by warriors or evil spirits, very fantasical. I've been on a short meditation retreat, organised by the Mahachulalongkornrajavidayalaya University, MCU Buddhist University Chiang Mai (and yes, I did copy/paste that title!). I've longtailed it down the Ping River, (and swam in it, some early Songkran revelling!), visited Doi Suthep, and Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand, and I've had more massages here than I've had the whole of my life.
I fly into Autumn on Friday. It will feel strange leaving, but then I get to see my old friend Jilly, and Roger, and their three little girlies, Nina, Rosie and Ella in Wellington!!!
And I will have to buy a whole new set of clothes, as I did not think beyond Thailand when I packed my backpack. Good excuse to shop!
