Pajama Day and Travel

Day 10 & 11:  last day in Sukhothai and travel to Chiang Mai

We learned from the Camino that a rest day is needed every now and then, so Saturday we took it easy(er).  Then Sunday we headed up to Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai – the former capital of the Lanna kingdom. 

We feel like we have come from the village to he big city. Chiang Mai has LOTS of foreign tourists and there are hotels, bars, massage places – and of course still a large Buddhist temple –  about every 50 feet. 

We checked out the bustling Sunday night market last night which is your largest outdoor mall of small shops.  Siri picked up the ubiquitous ‘elephant pants’ which is actually worn by locals too.  

We have had a few travel hiccups so far – like not realizing things book up.  We thought we could hop a bus or even a train between cities – thinking like when we were overseas 30+ years ago that you just show up at the bus station.  That is not the case.  Tickets are really online and they do sell out.  Oops.

After a little bit of stress, we WhatsApp our Aussie friend we just met at the elephants to see if her English speaking front desk could help out.  Within minutes, we had secured a private driver for the 5 hour trip – that now would include our own personal stops along the way to the world’s first elephant hospital and a temple recently made famous from a TV mini- series.  And (maybe most important) bathroom stops whenever you need it. 🙂

We met up for dinner with other VIA fellows (the same  organization that I was in Indonesia with) who are advising Myanmar college students at a small university.  A ground breaking college program that originally was going to be built in Myanmar, but due to the recent 2021 coup the leader moved it to neighboring Thailand and they are actually conducting classes online.  The students gather around education hubs at the border for housing and Internet access and try to avoid being conscripted by the military or having their families killed by the current regime.  Pretty heavy stuff for these recent US grads to be dealing with every day.  The fellows are an energetic and passionate group dedicated to helping out these refugees.  Both signed on for a second year of their fellowship.

This morning we start our next adventure here in Chaing Mai on local food tour by bicycle taxi.  Called “Samlor” here and we’re called “bechaks” in Indonesia.  Should be a good way to support the locals and see the sights.