Anyway- Chiangmai, Thailand. Got back last week from two weeks spent there. Actually, a two-week-long job interview of which I NAILED. Job was offered and I accepted.
This here Ken will be living in Chiangmai for 6 months out of the year with the other 6 months back in the 'burgh.Firstly, Thailand can be unbelievably hot and humid. Several days when I was there, it was 100 degrees w/high humidity. The rest of the days, were at least 90, also with high humidity. I quickly found that you only wear a shirt once before getting it laundered. And this... is in Northern Thailand where it is a bit cooler than central/southern Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket, etc.). The fat fuck denizens of the board (KC 2.0, for example) wouldn't last a day there- by the end of the day, you'd find nothing more than a puddle of melted blubber on the street corner being ladeled into a streetside deep fryer for that night's street food offering. Most likely, KC, weary from hauling around hisself, slipping on his own sweat, finally gave up on a street corner. Too tired to even swat the flies noodling around his eyes, he hoped for death, which soon came. This is not a place for fat fucks.
Okay, some pics. First, Chiangmai:
Typical alleyway in Chiangmai. Many mopeds/motorcycles in Chiangmai, each driving like a rabid wolverine. When crossing any street, look both ways. Then, look both ways again before crossing.
This was outside my hotel, looking left down the street. The little, three-wheeled thingies are 'tuk tuks'- independent taxi owners. They are freaking everywhere and you can't walk anywhere without one of them quietly asking ‘tuk tuk? Tuk tuk?’ At least they're not in your face. Just ignore them or shake your head and that's it.
Another shot of downtown.
Speaking of tuk tuks, one night coming back from who-knows-where, we pulled up alongside this tuk tuk filled with some westerners. Stuck my camera out the window and yelled 'smile'. Sorry, no good looking chicks in this pic.
This is the view from my hotel room, overlooking part of Chiangmai.
Temples: As you may know, Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand. Actually not ‘true’ Buddhism though. Kind of a raped version that many people practice so they can feel better about themselves for eating meat, drinking at night, coveting other’s wives/girlfriends, and pretty much just having a good time. Nonetheless, Buddhism is quite evident there, as are the temples.
This one happens to be in the middle of downtown and quite old.
Closeup of same temple. Apparently, roosters practice Buddhism too.
Did get to play some golf there- 4 rounds worth. Royal Chiangmai Golf Course. Pretty nice course that the owner of the company I’m going to be working for actually owns part of. My first few days in Chiangmai, I stayed at the resort there.
200 yard par 3 that I got this picture of just before a rain storm rolled in (rolling in from behind us). At this time of the year, the afternoon rains are predictable.
Just after I took the above pic, I took this one to my left. You can see the storm clouds rolling in.
At the course, you must have your own caddie. They’re cheap, so no biggie. Cost of a caddie was about $9 + tip. Frankly, that’s about all they’re worth, to be honest. No, I take that back… when it’s 95 and humid, it’s nice to have someone else rolling your clubs alongside you. So, in actuality, it was a steal. All the caddies are women and wear the yellow and green uniform, as seen below. How they don’t roast wearing all of that in the heat is ponderous.
Okay, food… didn’t get to take as many pictures of food as I would have liked. Will do next time. Thai food has always been one of, if not, my favorite food. Have always wanted to have ‘real’ thai food and was very excited to get this chance to experience it. People say that Thai food is spicy for a reason… it effing IS. I shit fire the entire time I was there. Further, I don’t think my body ever completely acclimated to Thai food and its spiciness- don’t think I had a formed shit the entire time there.
Don’t remember what kind of fruit this was. Once I got over the fact that it looked like I was about to eat a couple testicles, it ended up being pretty damned good.
One evening, went to the foothills of the mountains around Chiangmai and ate at a hole-in-the-wall place on a lake. One of the dishes I ordered was frog soup. Now, this wasn’t just the frog legs in the soup. Most anyone can handle that. No, this was entire frog(s) cut into cross sections in the soup. I had a hard time eating some of it, but did eat most. Below is the frog liver.
Stopped at a roadside stall about 2 hrs north of Bangkok. They were selling little bags of these hard boiled eggs. Looked like quail eggs to me. Nonetheless, bought a bag, cracked and peeled a few, then dripped on a bit of the supplied soy sauce. Mid-day smack in Thailand.
Obviously, rice noodle soup is quite popular in Thailand (and much of asia). It is their lunchtime staple and for many, their breakfast too. It was my breakfast most mornings. Even better w/a tablespoon of fish sauce mixed in.
There are noodle ‘stalls’ everywhere. You either find transportable stalls ala circus vendor style or open air, roadside restaurants that do not much else other than soups. This was one we stopped at. Thegirl behind the counter is making the soup. Above the counter is their menu w/prices. You can see the average price is roughly 30 baht. That’s $1.
Another day, stopped at a roadside place to eat. Sitting outside, this guy pulls up on his motorbike. Attached t the motorbike is a bbq grill. He makes his rounds to wherever each day selling bbq’ed thai sausage. So, he sold a bit to some others, got back on his bike, leaned over a bit, stoked the coals, threw another string or two of sausage on the grill and puttered away.
Here’s another picture of his bike. He pulled up behind a truck delivering eggs for the day.
Some miscellaneous images:
This mountain is Doi Suthep (where I will be living very nearby to). It overlooks Chiangmai. On it is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Chiangmai. Actually, Chiangmai is situated in a large basin that is surrounded by mountains. To the right of Doi Suthep are more mountains that if you go over and travel for another 45 mins, you’ll find yourself in Myanmar.
We did take some time to drive up into the mountains overlooking Chiangmai. Lots of small town where virtually no one speaks English. On the way back down, stopped for a bite at a resort. Took a walk around the resort grounds reveling in the beauty of the flowers and jungle. They have several cottages to stay in, including this one. All are air conditioned, secluded, and quite nice inside. How much per night? $110. That’s it.
Here’s a picture of the rear of the cottage. Babbling stream behind it with the jungle on the other side.
Up in the mountains, like I said, there are many little towns. This happens to be a store in the middle of one of the towns (Mae rim). You’ve seen one of these stores, you’ve seen ‘em all. They are all virtually the same.
This is a picture looking down the street from the store.
Lastly, a Marigold field. Marigolds as a cut flower is big industry in Thailand (and much of asia). In Thailand, they use them for making garlands and decorating the many, many temples in Thailand. This picture was taken about 2 hour’s drive north of Bangkok.
Thailand was every bit as wonderful as I expected it to be. The people are incredibly nice and accommodating. The food is beyond reproach. The scenery is outstanding. Looking forward to my time spent there, beginning the second week of July. And no, I did not hire any prostitutes. Although, I will say that it’s true… the thai women are very beautiful, including the prostitutes. It ain’t nothin’ like here in the States.
