Train to Chang Mai and Chang Mai
Trip Start
Dec 09, 2007
1
18
52
Trip End
Jul 07, 2008
Chang Mai,
Thailand
Friday, February 29, 2008
There's also a wonderful story of the White Elephant and how the wat got built where it is. Another story from friend and Meditation teacher who lived there is about the special powers of a sacred monk that lives there as well. I might get to them down the road....stay posted!
Also there's the amazing and Wat (or monestary) Doi Suthep possibly the most honored and sacred spot in Thailand
reading on the train
. Rented my first scooter (would not be my last!) to jet up to it before sunset. Loved riding up the hills and cutting corners on sharp mountain bends. The Wat's Golden Chedi is amazing and as most Chedi's is said to be placed atop one of the Buddha's relics (usually a bone from his body). Chang Mai is said to be a major or the major historical and cultural center of Thailand and it shows with many monestaries and temples old walled in city and moat, and steeped in tradition. Memories keep coming back as I write: Massage from a place that employs female ex-cons. Conversations and jokes with Sam the Thai cook at Golden Fern. The cool and cute kittens there. The list will grow as I reminisce more.
From my journal:
10PM leaving Bangkok on the train to Chang Mai.
In the train now. Cozy spent some time talking to the people in the next stall. They were just dropping off their mother
hang loose
. Daughter spoke some English and we spoke for a bit before they left. Mother, Yu doesn't speak any English but from time to time trys to make some connection. By what I could pick up she might have come to Bk to see the Queen. She was reading a brochure about her. I think it was her 2nd time and clearly meant a lot to her. She translated as a joke to her daughter that these cabins must be made for chinese and my big American frame might have a hard time. She might be right. Train was suppose to leave at 10Pm it's now 10:30 and engines have begun to rumble just not move. There's a strong purr just below my bum that makes my pelvis vibrate with an interesting and potentially disturbing pulsing waves. The bed's comfortable enough and I can't wait to nod off to the sway of the train through the jungle. Well we're off and I can already feel my body sinking with the creaky sway of this dream on iron wheels. goodnight!
-BREAK-
Train ride was awesome, woke up to foggy misty mountains and a poppers breakfast for too much but still romantic to have eggs and bacon in my own little nook. Chang Mai was such a breath of fresh air after Bangkok
some trouble with the train
. Friendly people locals and Farang who engaged me with help, kindness, and smiles. Easy to get into talking and old town was an easy lay out to trek around. Fantastic temples and cafes, and rivers, and well...I got stuck there. My first day I ran into Michelle. Eating at a corner diner she looked at the menu, went in, then back out to the street where I was. We made extended eye contact and started talking. It was clear we were both traveling on our own and wanted some company.Retrospective: As you'll see from the next entry we gave each other that company with a couple fun nights out with new friends and a trek into the surrounding hill tribes.
