Winter 2019-2020

Went to the Jing Jai market this morning . It's an upscale, organic, "yuppy" market . I knew right away it was different as the vendors wore plastic gloves, washrooms were marked and the crowd was predominately well dressed young professionals. Country and Western music Thai style: After a rest I walked down to the hairdresser - I have my formula but she doesn't have the correct colour. She doesn't do high-lights or low-lights either. She offered to go and get the right colour for Thursday. We'll see how it goes! If I go undercover or start wearing a hat 24/7 you'll know it was a disaster.   Walked over to the Shangri La, had to go through a metal detector to get in and they were searching under the cars that came in for explosives. Not exactly a warm welcome. Lovely hotel  - may have to hang out over there!

Bangkok Belly while travelling, no matter what part of the world you are in is not very pleasant. It is particularly stressful in a country that does not have public washrooms or a Tim Horton's on every corner. You resort to what works or has worked in the past - easy on the stomach. BART, bananas , applesauce, rice and toast. Bananas and rice in a third world country are everywhere - toast, not a huge problem - the grocery store has bread. Applesauce on the other hand appears to be a north american commodity!  The bread I bought at the grocery store said whole wheat and had a picture of an American flag on it  - looked like, felt like sliced bread. Got it back to the apartment and took out two slices - half the loaf! Turns out it was like that Texas Toast and there were 7 slices in the bag ....ahhhhh. I also snagged some Campbell's chicken noodle soup!  So, for the past 7 days I have been very very careful with what I ate.  A few days ago I was feeling better an...

Started my day with some relaxing yoga but that quickly changed when Sumana picked me up and started the horn honky that would continue throughout the day. We proceeded to go to Tesco and Decathalon.  She needed dog food and I needed to get some yoga props!  Her niece was with her and is visiting for two weeks. She didn't say three words all day! We drove out to a rice market but as we approached it was "OH SHIT " - she realized that today was Friday and the market wasn't until Saturday. So, we headed out to Lamphun to see a temple. Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai - one of 22 sacred sites in Thailand. It is said that there are footprints of Buddha there. Seems to me I have heard that before at several temples but who am I. The temple dates from the 11th century and parts from the 9th century. It is really spectacular. It is a special place of worship for those born in the year of the rooster. People light candles then walk around the chedi thre...

Mango, mixed fruit, loganberry, cashews, butterfly pea tea ..... Massive candles Just a mixture of stuff and eggs to boot! Tim bits Thai style Looking down from second floor A whole stall of chilies Fish anyone....yuck She said it was OK to take her picture but wouldn't look at me! Had to go through Chinatown to get out of the market area and walk past a few flower stalls. Orchids! Bird of paradise Coffee break which turned out to be not a great idea! Found an yoga class, closer to where I am - could walk there and the times are better  - price is  double but still just 8 dollars a class and they are 1.5 hours ..... The coffee seemed like a good idea at the time ....stinking hot and I hadn't eaten anything except some toast early this morning. Went down really well and then it struck ......so I have succumbed to "Bangkok Belly" in Chiang Mai and started a course of Cipro soon as I got back.  St...