June 27th, 2010
June 28th
We are enjoying Chiang Mai!! We did a bunch of walking around yesterday and as the day wore on we were worried it looked like rain. As we sat at a street vendor and ate our Panang Curry, Pad Thai and Tom Ka Gai and a coke (all for 170 baht $5.30 USD), even we could see the locals were worried about rain as they were putting up tarps and umbrellas. I decided to go to the Sunday Market anyways and while it tried to sprinkle for about 5 minutes–absolutely nothing came of it. I saw something I did not see the last time we were in Chiang Mai. 2 different street vendors selling crickets and bugs as snacks. We saw a cart in Bangkok last year–but not here and I guess somehow I thought that I would NOT see it here–but alas…I did…To be honest there were several types of bugs on the table–but I looked away so quickly, I did not note the other types. I am much happier with all the other types of food I can get here–no need for that craziness!!! There were lots of tourists standing there taking pictures–so maybe they do even eat them at all, it is just for show. I can hope!!!!
We both had foot massage yesterday–we had a chance to visit with Sopa and get re-aquainted. Very nice! It is so quiet here in Chiang mai, she is one of only 2 massage places left open on her street and she is down to one staff. She says some days–she has no customers and she now can only make enough money to eat and pay for the one girl to work for her, so no savings at all. She has a daughter in University and her first term was 50,000 baht ($1560 USD). Now while this seems like a steal to us–this is a lifetime of savings to the thai people! She says the second term will be about half this much. SO much more manageable. But she is worried! Her daughter has a job working 4 hours a day, 6 days a week at the University working with books. Not sure what this means, but she makes 25 baht an hour (That is 75 cents!). Seems like a whole different world to me still!!
We were unable to find Riam earlier in the day–so I guess we will have to call her. Hope she remembers us!! We did have some amazing mango sticky rice and these packets of sticky rice with banana in them and wrapped in banana leaf while we were wandering around looking for her. We also found the ice cream cart!! The ladies that wander around with homemade ice-cream and they scoop it out for you in a little cup for 10 baht. Hoped for coconut nut she only had vanilla–still very good! When I look back at this–it seems like we do nothing but eat…but really—it is not like that at all!! The food is just very good : ) and we walk so much it is needed for energy–see how i make it all OK.
Ruby–I am keeping all the black tea for you BTW–should have a nice collection for you when i get home : )
With all the Europeans here–the World Cup for soccer is quite a big deal–Congrats to to the Mischkes–your guys came out on top last night eh?? I guess it was morning to you?? Anyways–very good job!!
PS–Jay–try to leave comments again–Daddy said he fixed it : )
