Day 27 – New Years Day

January 1, 2008

Happy New Year everyone! I slept in this morning until about 8am. I read for a little bit and eventually Allysha came knocking on the door in tears. She says she has something in her eye and it has been hurting her. Aria had tried to help her by washing her eye out – we did the same. We give her a painkiller and start her on her malaria antibiotic – this was the scheduled day for that anyway and she said her eye had been bothering her since Phuket and we are concerned about an infection. We probably should have given her some food first as she gets very nauseous and throws up – but she says she feels better. Aria soon joins us in our room.

I blog the last couple days – and decide not to work. As it is approaching 11am here we decide to order a snack/lunch from room service. French onion soup, fresh fruit, clam chowder, fried rice and chicken satay - a nice snack. We watch the ball drop in Times square – welcome to the New Year America.

I envision Santa Cruz walking on west cliff drive and am homesick briefly. I think about how this trip is changing me. I wish I could express myself better in the blogs and realize how important it is that I keep up to date as details about each day quickly slip my mind.

We decide to take a 2.5 km walk through Chiang Mai that hits some of the major Wat's, he Cultural Museum and the woman's prison where soon to be released women give Thai massages to earn money for their release.

We hire a tuk-tuk for 60 baht to take us to the Wat Chiang Man – the start of the hike. It is so much cheaper here in Chiang Mai and so much cooler. Already I am liking it -able to walk without immediately sweating. I fell very comfortable in the city – it seems much cleaner – not as much pollution and the people seem even more pleasant – less pushy and less hurried or rushed. Travelling in the tuk-tuk does not feel like a life-threatening event and we arrive at the Wat.

I get the GPS working on the ride and have a pretty good idea where we are and the layout of the city. Chaing Mai proper actually has a moat and walls surrounding it giving a great landmark and reference point. The wat is awesome – we see a crystal and marble Buddha. The girls wore shorts but brought sarongs' to put on when entering wat's. I feel very comfortable and although many people stare at us, smile at us or call out Happy New Year to us – I get the impression that they notice that the girls put on appropriate clothing before entering the wat's. I find myself smiling and returning most stares with smiles.

Allysha is complaining about her eye hurting -we have run out of ibuprofen and we keep an eye out for a pharmacy – I wish Pam had bought some medication last night – she thought is was too expensive. The hike takes us the 3 Kings monument and behind that the Cultural Center. 310 baht gets us inside – and I could have spent all day there. There are any interactive powerponit slide shows of about 30-40 slides each in English and Thai. A few movies and tons of displays. We look at Allysha's eye using the flashlight I always carry – one of the best tools – don't leave home without one or a travel towel. There seems to be a piece of sand under her eyelid – we flush it out – she seems better until we leave the museum and in the sunlight she starts crying. We ask about a pharmacy and walk looking for one – we stumble across the next stop in the walking tour Wat Phon ? a teak wat. We stop and then continue on to the next wat Cherin – this is where the Monk talk is. The girls sit down and a monk notices Ally crying and comes over to talk – I tell the girls to stay put and off I go looking for a Pharmacy, After a fruitless search I rember I have pain reliever – Vicodine in my day pack and decide to break off a very small piece for her. I head back and she takes the medication – we tlk to the monk for another half hour. Allysha is getting tired (expected) and we decide to cut the hike short and head back to the room. We hire a tuk-tuk – talk him down to 50 baht and he delivers us to the doorstep of our hotel – I pay him 60 baht – his original asking price. On the trip back I saw at least 20 bookstores- many internet café's advertising wi-fi. I am happy with the weather and very much enamored with Chiang Mai. When I return to Thailand I will spend much more time here.

The place has an interesting history – vicinity to beautiful countryside – pleasant weather – an intersection of many cultures each interested in preservation. A very pleasant place.

Back at the room Ally falls asleep on the couch – Aria and I head out looking for internet – I use my iphone as a wi-fi detector. We agree to be back n the room by six pm. Although we found cheap internet there were no free or cheap wi-fi hotspots that we could find. We saw the evening market being set up, stumbled on a huge mall with an IT focus – many computer shops – even and office depot. Aria and I enjoy our walk and stop at a Starbucks – there is a hot-spot but it is expensive. We find a pharmacy and I buy 500 tablets of Ibuprofen for 1500 baht. I underestimate the size of the box – I hope we are not stopped at customs thinking we are drug dealers. We head back to the room.

Pam has opened the French sparkling wine she won last night – it is amazingly good. Someone shows up to make up the room -we exchange towels get water, new instant coffee and have the garbage emptied (we accidentally left the do not disturb signs on the rooms). Allysha is still asleep. Pam and Aria head out for dinner – I am not hungry but Pam and I are thinking about hitting a disco tonight. I am blogging this while they are gone and Allly is asleep -I check on her occasionally to make sure she is breathing. I hope she feels better in the morning – the sleep is probably the best remedy– if her eye is scratched hopefully her body can repair it. I inquired at the desk – there is a Dr. on call – if she is not better tomorrow we will get a consultation.

I think that given the number of universities located in Chiang Mai, the relatively low cost of living – if we look to build an offshore capability for my company we should consider this place. Although it is a unstable democracy it is better than a communist state in my opinion. I am so glad we came here – I just wish me had more time. My advice – skip Bangkok and Chiang Mai is a much preferable destination.

I am still awaiting the return of Pam and Aria. It is 7:27pm here 4:27 am in CA.

I saw the Patriots finished their season undefeated – I am interested in seeing if they can end up 19-0. Super-Bowl will occur while we are in Italy – I wonder if I will have the opportunity to watch it.

I think I will pay internet access when Aria gets back – 24 hours for 500 baht – but Aria will be happy and I will be able o post my musings. We are quickly approaching 1 month on the road – I does not feel that long but I have a tone of memories already – I can see how a life-style of continuous travel could be addictive – but I also look forward to returning to a place that I understand and do not have to think about every movement or consult a map to plan a journey – I am so glad I live n Scotts Valley – it is not s place I dreaded returning too. I can also envision myself relocating overseas someday. I am building confidence daily in my ability to cope with new and varied systems of belief and lifestyles.

I appreciate Buddhism – it makes so much more senses to me than a faith based religion – Brahmism and Astrology – while a part of the culture is more mystical and from my interactions with the monk today – not to be confused with Buddhism – which believes in self-discovery vs. mysticism. I wonder if I might not be a Buddhist at heart.

I have downloaded all pictures –blogged pretty extensively – I feel quite good. I believe I will get some time to work over the next few days, am comfortable that we can find some quality endeavors to pursue. I think I will plug the laptop in for recharging and spend a few minutes meditating on my life and this trip.

I almost forgot – I weighed in at 195 this morning - I cannot remember the last time I weighed under 200 – I still have a belly but am very happy.