Melody and Jordan Travel Memories: Thailand

After a long and bumpy ride, we arrive in a deserted little area on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. After freshening up in the small bathroom, we went off to meet Jean's family, north of Chiang Mai. An important note that this is Jean's extended family whom she's never actually met. So it was a first meeting for all of us. Upon meeting her grandfather, he embraces all of us warmly. Just as friends, yet we've never met. The road there is an interesting one for me, as I was sitting in the back of the pickup truck.

As we arrive at their property, we realize how rural the area is and how far we are from everything we know. We are in for an experience. As the truck pulls in, we see many shy children poking their heads out from doorways of the different houses, curious to see the strange visitors who have just arrived. With Jean's help translating, we are quickly introduced and shown the humble accommodations of Jean's family. Baby chickens are snooping around the yard, the wildness is literally on the doorstep - this is a cozy place. It is quiet and serene, but quickly heating up with the rising sun.

Her family graciously serves us a late breakfast and we go exploring around their backyard. We meet a few more relatives and then it is nearly time to return to Chiang Mai. Jean's uncle has found us a room for 300 baht / night - 10CAD!

Brushing teeth finally!

English is not a very common language out here

In the truck!

Part of Jean's family's property.

Melody and the family pig!

Cute little boy

The girls and Jean's uncle

Melody riding in the truck

Just a couple of backpackers now

1 of the hotel rooms!

Finally in Chiang Mai city, we went out in search of the night bazaar. We were not disappointed. It is a bustling district with many food peddlers that surround a distinctly marked square where there are probably over 100 different vendors selling jewelry, paintings, carvings, scarves, shirts, dresses and anything else you can think of. This was our first time trying the local beer. One of their brands is Chang, which you can get a can for about 30 baht or a large bottle for 50 baht or so. While we were here for the cheap student budget food, there was also plenty of larger restaurants to the other side of the square where older tourist types were sitting and eating. Also experienced during this evening was our first "ladyboy" cabaret show. If you didn't know already, Thailand is host to one of the largest transgender populations in the world. While we know very little of how they live in society (I hope peacefully and happily) they are commonly seen in cabaret shows singing and dancing, commonly called "ladyboy shows".