I broke down and went shopping a couple days ago at the Warorot day market. Bought a couple of beautiful sarongs and wrap-around pants. Some stuff I'll be sending home, but the light cotton fisherman's pants and a batik cotton sarong I think will come in handy. The weather in Chiang Mai has been hot (80s or so), a little humid without being unbearably so, and very sunny.

My rented bike has proven to be a fantastic way to get around, although my traffic instincts are completely disabled due to 1) everyone driving on the left side of the road and 2) nearly everyone driving on the wrong side of the road (not the left side). Essentially that means that oncoming and cross traffic is often not at all where I expect them to be. Unlike in Philadelphia or San Francisco, though, drivers here are used to bikes and scooters, not to mention disoriented tourists, so I haven't had any close calls.

Jodi & Allyn have been fantastic hosts, helping me get things done, making sure I'm fed and watered and content. We had a superb Indian dinner the other night, Vietnamese for lunch yesterday, and a whole grilled and seasoned fish with a side of green papaya salad for dinner last night. Lo! the eating here sucketh not.

I will be leaving Chiang Mai tomorrow. Curious? See my next entry for my short-term itinerary.