Winter Vacation 2010: Day 8

14.2.10

Woke up about 8 and stayed in bed, reading and crocheting until 9:45 when we finally got moving. Took a leasurly walk to the only park in Chiang Mai where we sat and watched the pigeons, fish, few cats and sat in the shade by the lake. What a relaxing morning!

We stopped at a place called The Corner for lunch (banana-honey pancake and mango lassi) and I was struck by the couple next to me: older white "American" man and a younger skinny Thailandi woman who was able to speak broken English. We arrived at the end of their meal which seemed to be full of pregnant pauses and limited conversation. The guy asked for the check and then when it came, she pushed it to him. He paid and then she gave him the change back to him. Then she said bye-bye. They both got up and walked to the corner and ended up going different directions. I don't know if she was just a "lunch companion" or if he got scammed but I also don't think that I want to know.

Also at "The Corner," a different group finished eating and one of them had gotten a coconut. As soon as they left, an old Thai woman (looked to be the mother of an employee), went, took the plate with the coconut (before the table was cleared) and put it on the table where she was sitting. I told Yo that she was going to eat it. Sure enough, I was right!

On the way back to the hostel, we stopped for internet. In 2 hours we had a change of plans and ended up arranging for a night in Ko Samoi on the way to and from Ko Tao due to the ferry schedules. The places there were 3x as expensive as here but still under $20.00 a night.

Then back to the room and took off my sandals (ok- Ari's sandals) to a huge stink. I showered, washed my feet and the sandals as well as 5 shirts, 2 pairs of socks- all clean!

The night market was great. All of the souveneirs in one place. Street performances, individuals selling their art and food fairs.

I Bought pants, shirts, a Thai tie, a wallet, and chopsticks (etc). It was very cool when at 6pm, everyone stood and froze while the national anthem was played on the Wat loudspeakers. Then we went to a Wat where there were food vendors set up and ate sushi, 1/2 and eat of roasted corn and a strawberry lassi.

Then to the room and internet and then back to the hotel to drop things off. Then back to the street fair to buy stuff for Ari's family and out to meet friends that we had met at Chabad.

We had decided to give Michal and Moshe until 10 (had arranged 9:30) to show up and sure enough, at 9:55pm they came. We walked the fair again and chatted- they had gone up to the triangle and Moshe had even walked through to Burma (Mynamar). There was also the border with Laos. I bought presents for Ari's neices and nefews (door hangers with a hook) and then back to the hotel to shower (again) and bed.

In the morning, we have to get up early- elephants!