No problem!

This afternoon after I finished my language classes (they're becoming more and more casual; we study the hardcore stuff in the morning, then go out for lunch to a different place each day and then return for the afternoon class which then involves mostly chatting about food - to be fair, we chat mostly in Thai!) I braved the afternoon heat and took a songthaew (I don't know how to anglicise Thai - and I can't get the symbols for phonetics) up Nimmanhemin Rd, which is one of the trendier parts of town. It's outside of the old town, very close to Chiang Mai Uni, so there are heaps of trendy places to eat and drink, bars, pubs, and stylish boutiques and shops. Also the requisite restaurants and food trolleys, naturellement. Anyway, that was fun - and then I came home and stuffed myself stupid.














Yesterday in the afternoon I went on a bit of a tour around a few places. Went up to the Hilltribe Museum, which was really interesting - fascinating cultures. I'm doing a homestay with a hilltribe family (not sure which tribe) starting Friday week for 3 days, so that's something to look forward to. Then Jaran (guide) took me to a nearby town which is artisan central - silk, silver, jewellery, umbrellas, leathergoods, lacquerware - you name it! Jaran is really cool - he's the guide who has been a singer, a barber, a teacher, a tourguide, etc. His answer to every request is, "No problem!" and it's pretty much been true so far.











Hello silkwormies; they eat and eat and then work hard to make these nice cocoons; then the poor buggers get boiled to spin thread for Q's wardrobe.

Tomorrow morning Phil arrives and in honour of this great occasion I went to Kasem (grocery place that sells some Western stuff) and bought some Coopers, as well as stocking the fridge with fruit. I'm not sure yet exactly what we're going to do - have some sketchy ideas.

Phil wants to ride an elephant. I told Jaran this and he said - you guessed it - "No problem!".

Benjawan (Thai teacher) asked me today what I thought the reason was for Thailand having so many ladyboys.

I said I didn't know. She asked if it was chromosomal. I said, probably not.