Chiang Mai

To ultimately describe my entire weekend, I have found a beautiful black woman to help me:

Literally. This weekend was just chalk full of peace and blessins! Here's a comparison of what was supposed to happen with what ACTUALLY ended up happening.

Ok wait. I'm getting ahead of myself. Here's a little background before I start. After 4 weeks of teaching and biking around the same small town, our first vacation had come!! It was only a small weekend trip to Chiang Mai, a northern city about 7 hours from Pichit by bus. But we were SO psyched to finally do the "Thailand Tourism" attractions. Mainly - elephants, tigers, temples, and shopping!

   EXPECTATION                                                              REALITY

Stay in a mixed bedroom hostel with 3 other strangers. Hey, it's cheap! Me and McKenna bought PBJ supplies to share over the weekend so we wouldn't have to spend money on every meal. Due to time crunches and lack of information, we would only have time to do one of the three attractions in Chiang Mai: elephants, tigers, or temples. Once it got dark, the night market got set up and we were going shopping!

My head teacher's boss, Dr. Rachot was in town just for the week and decided he wanted to show us around his hometown and let us stay in his brother's high-class hotel. Dr. Rachot paid for every meal and drinks and snacks AND transportation. We only covered the tip at the restaurant. Dr. Rachot drove us to an Elephant Show and PAID for us (700+ baht) to watch and feed the elephants. He also took us to see the tigers and had his driver take us to the biggest temple in Chiang Mai. Oh, and did I mention we had free access to lounge at the pool? My face was slobbered with elephant kisses by the time I left! I cuddled a giant tiger....oh yes After the fun-packed day, Dr. Rachot took us to not only the big night market, but also a second night market until midnight.  "100 baht, but I give you discount my friend. *forces bracelet onto wrist* looks so beautiful on you yes?"

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This weekend has been seriously a dream! Around every corner was my new favorite part of Thailand. On Sunday, we went to a Buddhist temple and the Jade factory. Amazing to learn about all the different cultures and religions of Thailand! Although I wasn't able to attend my LDS church, it was still a peaceful Sunday being a part of the Buddhist practices. I had the opportunity to practice some of the offerings to the Buddhist gods, and also be blessed by a monk!

They're giving me a bracelet of protection and the white also symbolizes good luck, the monk wasn't able to put this on me because it's forbidden to touch women in any way; So another holy man tied the bracelet.

And in case you were wondering if an elephant can paint, they can. And better than me I might add.

Phichit Boat Festival

When someone says Thailand, the Phichit Boat Festival will now be what comes to my mind. This weekend has been the absolute highlight of my entire 4 weeks living in Thailand thus far. The festival apparently has lasted a couple weeks, but the biggest festivities were this weekend.

 We started on Friday after school with the night market. Everything was glowing and neon, even the drinks we got! Up and down the streets were crowded with vendors. And I don't just mean some food and clothes, although that was there too. I'm talking anything you could possibly want to buy was somehow packed into tight intersections; International soccer jerseys, gold jewelry with personal engravings, dufflebags/backpacking gear, clothes, puppies, mattresses, chairs, scooters, helmets, sponges, fruit/bugs/food, and toys ranging from kiddy rubix cubes to full-scale Zelda instruments.

Grasshoppers, Cockroaches, Maggots OH MY!

Barbie Army

After a night of gawking and figuring out prices (as well as holding the cutest fluffball at the puppy vendor for a while)..............

Literally the size of my hands and so fluffy I was gonna die

...............we came back on Saturday and I got down to some serious bartering. I came away with 3 shirts, 1 skirt, 1 p. shorts, 4 drinks, 1 tentacles on a stick, 1 sponge (long story) for about 15 USD. And let's not forget all the complimentary bites, 2 free jerseys, and the "backstage" chatting with the Semi-finalists at the Takraw Lot Huang competition and pictures with the Longboat Competition teams!!

Longboat Team

Longboat Team (still not sure why the "white" one is doing that face.)

                  Here's a funny note while I'm thinking about it. If you notice the Longboat team member with the white on his face. This is actually a very popular 'do' for the Thai people. Everyone wants to look white and "beautiful" so they rub this cream on their faces and their anti-sweat powder also gives a white appearance on their body. It's funny in America people get skin cancer trying to be more tan but here, they rub thick cream all over their faces (in the hot humidity) to be more white. Boys and girls alike.

 It might have been in China, but the Mulan story wasn't far off when they decked out her face completely white.














Overall, such a fun fun experience. I probably won't reach for many more squid tentacles on a stick, but the Mew ice-drink and fresh hazelnut bread was to die for.