Pai in the sky

Things were not going well in Chiang Mai. I was feeling in a funk. Wasn't finding a job and wasn't meeting the people I was hoping to. There are a lot of people who are in CM for a few days only. There are a bunch of ex-pats who are around longer term, but they are mostly 50 year old men. I don't have enough Thai speaking skills to become great friends with Thais.

So I needed to get out for a bit. I put a change of clothes into my tiny backpack and headed to Pia- a northern city of 3000 people. The 4 hour bus ride took us over very windy roads though the lushest forests. It reminded me of remote Hawaii. Palm trees and so much greenery. The bus was crazy. They packed about 40 of us onto a bus probably meant for 30 max. Rickety fans swirling on the ceiling and windows down the whole way. Luckily I had seat. People in the aisles were fortunate because we were transporting rice bags, so if they could sit they had a little cushoning. The bus was OLD and when we went around steep corners something under me made a serious scraping noise.

Now I am in Pai and LOVING IT! So gorgeous. So relaxed. Cute little bungalows. The people I am traveling with are so much fun, and fascinating to talk to. There is Peter who is from South Africa and is so intelligent. He has no desire for formal education, has taught himself most of what he knows and plans on being a writer. Danielle is from Canada and is quite sweet. Yume is from England and my roommate for the trip. She is very relaxed and lovely to chat with. We have had lots of discussions about how different our upbringings and home culture is, and lots of giggles too. It is interesting to have conversations with all these very different people who I get along with and who have different values from me. Thought provoking.

These are the days I was looking forward to when I imagined myself in Thailand. And we have yet to hit the bar. :)