YO.
It turns out that I only had one ticket to paradise, so I had to head north. Actually, paradise alone isn't as fun as travelling alone, so I skipped out after my second night. I miss my boyfriend's warmth and I keep telling him stories in my head as I walk along.
I took a train to Chiang Mai and have found a room for about 9 or 10 dollars. It seems to be a requirement that I make best friends with a resident animal; Current Best Friend's name is Pooklook and really likes to play with my bandana. Also, to lay on my feet. Pooklook is the first dog in the history of doggiedom who (get this)
Doesn't. Like. Bacon. Wow.
Yes, I am wearing a wet bandana around my neck. I look like a lesbian on safari, but at least it keeps me from melting completely.
It looks like I'll be sticking around Chiang Mai for a while and volunteering at the Healing Family Foundation, a place where disabled (mental, physical) people learn job skills.
http://www.hffcm.org, I think. It's a wonderful place. I love it. It's loving and silly and fun and just a wonderful organization. I'm really excited to do work there.
I love it here in the North; this is where it's at. Fuck the South, yet again. I have had a few great encounters which I will write more about at length another time:
1. The stern train guy
2. Nieng ("nang" with a long "a" sound) at another hostel
3. Creepy-at-first Buddhist monk (when was the last time a BUDDHIST MONK creeped you out?)
4. Thai masseur at the monastery
5. Healing Family Foundation
Right now, I need to take a shower before they deport me for gross nastiness.
OH and a butterfly landed on my head, then on my glasses, then circled my head twice before fluttering off.
I also rented a bicycle yesterday and went through a traffic circle on it. Yay!
My haggling is pretty nuanced at this point. It's fun.
love from bumba
p.s. - an hour of massage is 3 or 4 dollars.
Yup.
I've had five.