Scenes from Chiang Mai: Part 3

Hostel life in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Jaime, who I met online a year before we both left to travel, who I first met in real life in Brussels, who I threw tomatoes at at La Tomatina in Spain, who I traveled with for three months through India, finally found his way to Thailand.

We only were able to meet up for two nights, but we went to Huay Tung Tao Lake and we had a slumber party with Jenny. But it was great to see him one last time before I go home. Because who knows when I will next see him again. But no worries, we certainly will…someday…

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I tried on a ridiculous pair of glasses at the Sunday Market here in Chiang Mai. And then I fell in love with them. And then I didn’t buy them and totally regretted that decision.

But Jenny went back to the market and bought me a pair (in pink, my favorite color).

I’ll be a hit of all the Chicago hipster bars.

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This is Taku.

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“What did you do today?” I asked Tucky and he looked at me but didn’t understand. I repeated the question one or two more times until he could repeat it back to me. He then got up off of the chair and walked to his group of friends. He said to them something in Thai and then said “What did you do today?” His friends said something back in Thai and then he walked back, sat down next to me, and said, “nothing.”

***

I ended up with a hostel room to myself for a few nights. And so, when Lek followed me into my room, I let him sleep on my pillow. Of course, when he woke up at 6am fresh and ready to play each morning I had to let him out.

But I have a feeling the hostel guys knew what was going on…

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“I stepped back because of me, not you,” he said. Referring to a game of pool we had to stop playing because it was going no where. I over analyzed the shit out of that statement.

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I’ve spent the last few days laying on my back in pain. I knew it would come eventually: my back goes out every few years. It was inevitable. But I never really imagined that I’d be spending my last few days in Asia this way. I’ve cried. A lot. Because I want to be enjoying Chiang Mai. I’ve cried. A lot. Because this is not the way I want this to all end.

But thus is life. I suppose.

And, if nothing else, throwing out my back forced me to do all the work I needed to get done because I had nothing better to do. And, if nothing else, throwing out my back solidified what amazing friends I have here. Like Jenny, who brought dinner to me. And Yvo, who picked up a masseuse on his motorbike and brought her to my dorm room.

I will miss them both.

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Gratuitous cat photos.

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I don’t want to leave.

Scenes from Chiang Mai: Part 3 Hostel life in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Bucket List Idea: Travel to Thailand. || Scenes from Chiang Mai: Part 3 Hostel life in Chiang Mai, Thailand.