Chapter 23: Thailand

I made a small trip up north this past weekend and met up with three girls I befriended during orientation.  Originally from Michigan, England, and California—the girls are now working in Lumphang and Nan (two Northern provinces).  The trip was complete with English dialogue (minus the hand gestures, simplicity, and constant repetition), exploring numerous (number unknown) ancient Wats (temples), Thai Karaoke mixed with interpretive dance and my first encounter with theft since I arrived…mai ben rai (no worries).  Old Sukhothai is the site of Thailand’s first city.  Its ancient ruins, dating back to the 13^th century, are strewn throughout the park and displayed so every backpacker/tourist/traveler passing through can capture the city’s sites in one day via bicycle.  After making our way from the TR Guesthouse (a hostel (bahn pahk) which I highly recommend if ever out this way despite what lonely planet says)  we rented bikes for 30 baht a piece.  At our first temple stop, after locking  up and exploring, we came out just minutes later to find two bikes missing.  Honestly, it was almost expected…we were farangs…but thankfully we had not left a name or deposit, so for the remainder of the day we pegged it down the dusty roads and managed to cart 5 people between 3 bikes…Karma kept us from stealing them back.  It was a minor loss that will forever put that special touch on the story of Sukhothai.  We biked all day, visiting one Wat after the other…each having a different affect.  Out of respect, we knew it was time to call it a day, however, when the last one just seemed like the rest…shines a certain light of reality onto the situation—in the oldest Thai city, observing temples I could never imagine seeing, and thinking, “this 700 year giant Buddha looks just like the others”.  I did have favorites…Wat Suphin Hin (placed atop a hill overlooking the city) and Wat Si Chun (its Buddha’s pinky built larger than my torso) and I appreciated each one for its  spiritual significance, peace, and purity they bring to the country.

That evening we ventured to a local restaurant (whose desserts came highly recommended by lonely planet), but were disappointed to find that it was overpriced, poor serviced, and had small portions.  Maybe fame went to their heads.  With this observation, we decided to cumulate our own travel guide, but call it “overpopulated planet”—contributors are welcome.  We ended the night with Karaoke, (which is always accompanied with a few drinks and belting Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”) and having street market Phad Thai with the local artists at 3 in the morning.

Overall, the trip was a success.  My confidence in bargaining (which I did many times in Thai) and my confidence to travel have accumulated and I am ready to see what has been unseen. 

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