Farangs on motorbikes

November 7th, 2002 at 12:00am

I’ve been in a funny mood lately. Can’t figure out what it is – if I’m getting anxious to get out of Asia and to New Zealand, or if I’m homesick, or if I’m sick of travelling in general, or if I’m just in a mood. I just can’t seem to figure out what I want to do.

Today I went into the town of Pai to walk around and check things out. I had breakfast and coffee and then looked at a few guesthouses just to compare with where I’m at. Nothing had the view or ambiance of where I’m at (so why is no one here??). Anyway it was good to be in the company of backpackers even if I wasn’t actually speaking to any of them. I had a chance to check my email and then I walked in and around some of the stores. While I was walking down one street a farang guy approached me on a motorbike and asked where I was from and if I was travelling alone and would I like to go with him to see some temples or a waterfall for the day? It was extremely kind of him to ask but I have a thing with riding on motorbikes in Asia with foreigners and no helmets (remember Winston’s induction to the Motorbike Accident Victims of SE Asia?) so I said thanks very much but I prefer to stay away from motorbikes. He seemed disappointed and once he left I felt bad that I said no thinking well, you’ve just been complaining about feeling lonely and here someone ups and offers to take you around for the day so what is your problem? I don’t know. Anyway the moment was lost and there I was walking again.

I had lunch in town and then finally started to head back to my guesthouse. I was about 3/4 of the way back and another farang guy pulled over on a motorbike and asked me if I needed a ride. I was actually looking forward to having a walk but in light of the earlier incident I said ok. Well, it was interesting. He was much older and was wearing standard hippie clothes and smelled a bit of alcohol and I just had to laugh at myself that I took a ride with him and not the first clean -cut innocent guy. Anyway it was only 5 minutes or so on the bike with him so that was good.

Finally I was home and retreated to the balcony of my bungalow for some quality book reading time. While in town I bought a bottle of Sang Som (Thai rum) and I’ve just downed a few glasses of that with coke and ice and lime while watching the sunset. Somehow this place doesn’t seem so bad at all anymore. Hmmm. Will I stay another day or begin to head south tomorrow?

View from my balcony of the 12000 rice fields

Just when you thought youve seen it all on the back of a motorbike…

Entry Filed under: Chiang Mai,North,Thailand