Farangs on motorbikes

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…

Add comment November 7th, 2002

12,000 Rice Fields

Well I got out of Chiang Mai today, heading north to the Burmese border, to the little hippie town of Pai. Similar to Vang Vieng in Laos. I was recommended to stay at a place out of town so once I arrived I immediately found a motorbike taxi to take me out to the place. It’s a beautiful guesthouse with bungalows built right on the river and it’s got an organic vegetarian restaurant, a nice Thia family running it, and cool music to listen to. Everything I would want. Except one thing. I’m the only farang here! Don’t know why that is, if it’s just bad timing or there are better places to stay or what. Anyway by the time I got here it was nearly 5:30pm and I said I can’t be bothered to go back into town and look for another place to stay so at least I’ll stay here tonight. I like the feel of it here/reminds me alot of my Sanctuary days on Ko Lanta. Admittedly though I was hoping for some good company after my not so memorable encounters with backpackers in Chiang Mai (more anti-American sentiment bullshit which is not even worth going into). So I’m feeling lonely and wishing someone were here to share this with me. Not just anyone though. Someone funny, intelligent, insightful, inspiring, and tall. Know anyone? Send them over to Sipsong Pana and ask for the American girl with long hair. Thanks!

Sunset in Pai, Thailand

Sunset in Pai, Thailand

Add comment November 6th, 2002

Rainy day in Chiang Mai

Lazy afternoon spent watching a movie at the guesthouse (Foul Play) and then taking a nap. Been very busy the past few days working on the site and going through all my photos from Lao. Time consuming stuff. In between I’ve been doing some shopping, selling old books/ buying new books, doing laundry, and trying to decide what todo with my last few weeks in Thailand. Tomorrow I’ve signed up for a one-day cooking class since I enjoyed it so much before the last time I was here. After that I may head to the monestary for some contemplative days of staring at my navel (meditation), but I think I need one more day to work on the site and get more stuff done first. There is a lot to do in Chiang Mai – yoga class, massage class, and cooking class just to name a few, but the meditation is the one thing that I haven’t done in Asia yet and I’d really like to try it. We’ll see. I’ve also got to get a lot of good Thai food in before I head out of Asia. Not a problem there I think.

One of many temples in Chiang Mai

Add comment November 1st, 2002