This last weekend I went to Chiangmai with P Nid, the head of the English department that has really helped me out in Thailand, and we stayed with two of her former students Eve and Jane. I am amazed by how close many Thai teachers and their students are. They make a concerted effort to stay intouch with one another. Maybe this is due to the fact that Tak is such a small community. I don't think I've gone anywhere with P Nid (or her sisters P Dang and P Noon) in Tak and not ran into one of her former students. I need help with my cell phone, there is a former student, and we go to Chiangmai with stay with former students.
I had a great time hanging out with Eve and Jane. They both just graduated from Chiangmai University and work in the tourism industry. Eve sells trekking packages and other adventure trips and Jane is a travel agent at a guesthouse. They have two small dogs, but I forgot to take a picture of them.
We did a lot of shopping. We went to the Saturday Walking Street and the Sunday Walking Street Market. The Sunday Walking Street is one of the most famous in Thailand. It is about four miles of stuff. The Saturday Walking Street is similar, but about half of the size. What really sets the walking streets apart from other markets is how enjoyable it is to stroll through the market. A person doesn’t stroll at the Night Bizarre in Chiangmai and the big markets in Bangkok. People are shoulder to shoulder haggling over prices, carrying their purchases and watching their wallet all at the same time.
On Saturday evening we went to the Royal Flora. The Royal Flora was built in 2006 in honor of the King. The grand opening was during the Flower Festival that year. Representatives of many countries and over 3.7 million people showed up for the event. The Royal Flora "Park" is interesting. About twenty or thirty nations from around the world has a garden. There is a Japanese rock garden, a Holland garden, etc.
I had some of the best Thai food I've ever had at a little garden restaurant. This is panang curry with a fried egg. It was amazing. Much spicier and bolder flavors than the Thai food in America.
I had some of the best Thai food I've ever had at a little garden restaurant. This is panang curry with a fried egg. It was amazing. Much spicier and bolder flavors than the Thai food in America.
This was a well earned rest after a long day of shopping. I actually fell asleep in the car on the way to the Sunday Night Walking Street.
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