The little monks room (loo)

Apparently there is more to see in Bangkok. The night before we left we ended up staying at a friend's place in Bangkok (God bless ex-pat sympathy). We then proceeded to the single most condensed area of debauchery in all of Bangkok... Nana. I don't think I'm allowed to disclose all that went on that night, but at least I can say I kept my shirt on... (oh wait, no I didn't)... on a brighter note, I think the girl really liked me. Actually, they ALL really liked me, even the masculine ones. I must look like some kind of celeb in Thailand. I was, however disappointed when all my friends got as much attention as I did. We must be the most attractive folk in Bangkok.

The next day, after a long bout of sleeping in no less, we were off on a night train to Chiang Mai. 2nd class isn't all that bad I must say. I got the top bunk, AND I could swing my lovely feet all over the passenger below me (who happened to be Dan). Chiang Mai has turned out to be a pretty cool spot. It almost reminds me of an Austin/Thailand mix, if there is such a thing. Organic coffee, guesthouses, farangs, and motorbikes everywhere... And let me tell you a thing or two about motorbikes... well, just one thing: they're awesome. Within an hour of renting a couple of the 50cc badboys, we were doubled up driving up the mountain. (we've also picked up another member for our group, an Aussie named Simon, whom I got pretty up close and personal with riding about 2 inches from each other on the bike) I think 350+ pounds of pure man is too much for some of those bikes. Regardless, we made it up a mountain called Doi Suthep, complete with an aptly named temple. The view was amazing. We spent an hour or so walking around, ringing bells and getting water sprinkled on us by possibly the oldest monk I've ever seen. Seriously, this guy must have been 150 years old... but he did tie a string around my wrist which made me feel special. After about completely destroying our brakes on the way back down, we headed out east to the silk factories. These silk ladies (because I'm sure that's what they're called) have it down to an art form. It goes like this: pull the wood thingy, press the peddle thingy, push the plank thingy and PRESTO... you've got yourself a silk tie. (all of the previously stated terms were very technical I know, and I don't expect everyone to understand them)

I'm sure you're all thinking I'd be tuckered out after a long day of motorbiking, silk tie making, and ice cream (oh yeah, forgot to mention, I was pretty much eating desert all day)... but no! We had time to find a nice candlelit curry place next to the market costing 58 baht... total. Yes, we had a dinner for 4 for 58 baht, and it was aroy! (tasty) I won't lie, I love this country.

Off to Chiang Rai in an hour... we'll see how much difference one letter can make in a city.