Chiang Mai

Sawadee Kah everyone (that means hello in Thai). I hope since my last post everyone is doing well. I recently spent six days in Chiang Mai (very northern part of the country) and had an absolute blast, minus the arguments I had with Jonny Walker and Diablo Tequila. I figured out why they named it "Diablo" because until the next day it gives you a devil of a good time. Anyway, Chiang Mai is almost the complete opposite of Bangkok. I have been there before, but didn't really try and look for similarities and differences until my recent trip. It is a city of about 150,00 but the Chiang Mai Province is about 1,000,000. It is the second largest city in the country and a large tourist attraction to "farangs" (westerners) who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok city. However, there is still plenty to do, the nightlife is amazing, and it is quite a bit cheaper than Bangkok. Chiang Mai is a place where I could see myself living no matter what age. The schools are very good, the people are friendly, there isn't that much humidity, and the ladies are nice to look at as well. I mean, smart, very smart individuals who have amazing minds:) I think I almost got myself into trouble there. Chiang Mai is a city that I would recommend any farang to visit because it is a place that someone can really live like a commoner. I really get annoyed when people tell me they went to Thailand and stay in the "Enormo Hotel" or whatever it is called. If you are going to come to visit here, you cannot say that you experience anything when you eat Western food and stay in places that cost more than $100 a night. I am sorry, I just had to quickly get that out of my system.
One of the days here Jom and I went to the lake and it was beautiful. With mountains all around, the weather perfect, and learning how to drive a scooter (I know you might think it is lame, but I get nervous riding a bicycle so this was a big step for me), I couldn't have asked for a better day. When we sat down to eat, Jom ordered something in Thai and then told the waiter what I wanted. Soon after the man brough this sugar bowl with a top on it and some spicy sauce for dipping. I had no idea what it was and when I opened it, about four "things" started to jump and I almost felt like I had dropped a load in my pants. I have never seen two Thai people laugh so hard in their lives. It turns out that she ordered live shrimp which most Thai people like to eat and then asked if I wanted to try one. The last time I remember being that freaked out over a creature was when I was three and my uncles tossed a dead bird at me and I actually DID drop one in my shorts. I think it is easy to see that I didn't try the live shrimp and still shake my head in amazement watching her enjoy them.
Well, that is my latest good story and I hope you enjoy reading it. I will be writing again in the next couple of days and telling about my new job. Until next time, beware of sugar bowls!