Mae sot, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai

I'm going to try something different from now on. I'm making this blog a bit more accessible for everyone.

I'm meeting so many people from all over the world, Germans and Dutchies are quite easy to recognise. French people too, they speak mostly French and they all know the sentence "where is Bryan?" (some silly inside joke), Italiens and Americans are very loud sometimes (just one couple actually, making our busride a horrible one) and since Hpa-an I recognise the Isralians as well. What makes us us I was wondering. Why are we all unique and yet so the same most of the time? I'm not searching for answer, just wondering.

So Mae sot, just a city to cross the border or can it be more than that? Quite easy bordercrossing. But i already felt like I wanted to run back to Burma. No Lon, you got this, Thailand is wonderful too. Sabaideekáá, Hello, was coming from all corners of the market. Searching for a nice Hostel/Guesthouse. Greenguesthouse. Sounded good and was cheapcheap, little private room in the backyard of an amazing Thai couple. The whole garden was filt with plants and trees. Aloe Vera everywhere. Vegetables where growing on the rooftop. I already liked it a lot. Some nightmarketfood was the next thing to do. I ran into Nivan, a Cameroon🇨🇲 soccer player, he was living and playing soccer for a Thai team. We talked quite long about living here and living in Cameroon. At the moment it's an absolute nightmare there. Our little country might be a bit boring from time to time but at least it's safe. I feel blessed that I was born in West-Europe. And that I have the opportunity to do what I'm doing right now.

The next day I rented a motorbike and drove around a bit. I was by myself all day and it was actually nice to do whatever I wanted instead of making plans with someone else. Let's go to the hotsprings, and a small spa. After three beautiful detours I was finally there. Sadly the spa and the hotsprings where not so amazing. The ride back was prettier than the hotsprings itself. But it was a good day, later on I met Nivan again for some food. I was tired and he was a bit flirty. Super annoying so I told him I had to go back to my hostel. I think he noticed that I was uncomfortable and he kind of apologised and left. Next day I would leave early to Sukhothai.

Old historical city, means old temples and ruines and many tourist. I'm not sure if I was up for that. First evening I walked all the way to the new city with some detours again, I think I left my inner kompas in Birma. I came along a monestry and they had like the biggest and fattest pig I ever saw in my life. Left a quick bookmark on Google maps. I had to see this piggy again. Because of new year they're having a lot of big night markets and parties on the street. I just bought a delicious healthy watermelonshake served in a cup made out of the rind of the watermelon. So zero sugar zero waste, I like this market so far. I was sipping my shake when this little local girl went nuts, she was jumping up and down and laughing at me. I slowly past her and then she said Hello, so I turned around, hello. She was 6 years old and had a little "tourist in own country" trip. Her English was perfect. Her dad was teaching her and they spook English a lot to eachother. She was actually adorable and gets super excited when she meets foreigners. I think all parents should do this. Let your children grow up bilingual if you have the opportunity to do so. You gave them so much more opportunities for the future. After 15 minutes of talk, without her dad helping her, I said goodbye. Until we saw eachother again half a hour later. She was just as enthusiastic as before. I kind of liked the whole chemistry of the family. So we talked again for a little while. I was getting hungry and said goodbye again. Zero waste snacks was easy but serious food at the market is quite difficult. So i left the market for a good restaurant. Very touristic but a delicious curry was worth it. After the food I was trying to find my way back to the hostel without taxi or navigation. My phone was empty. Coming to the city took me half a hour, going back to the hostel took me 1.5hours. But i found it. Going to sleep early.

Next day I spent half the day resting and hanging around the hostel. I rented a motorbike to drive around a little bit in the afternoon and besides the temples the city is not that special. James from Hpa-an was on his way as well to Sukhothai and we agreed on visiting the temples the next day together. At night with James and Sam, an American guy from the dorm, on the motorbikes towards the biggest temple area for a countdown party. We had some nice talks and the music was very unique, not extremely good, just unique. Some streetfoodsnacks and a little dance later I was kind of ready to go back to the city for a proper diner.

Next day James and I left the hostel at 5 to see the sunrise over the old city. Was a short walk up the mountain and a good view. No tourist on the road this early so it was nice to see some of the bigger temples without too many tourists. Around noon I was so tired. We headed back to the hostel for a little nap. That turned into a 3 hour nap. After that diner again. Some wandering around, got some fruits for the bus ride to ChiangMai and kind of early to bed.

ChiangMai, I really liked it two years ago. Now on the third of January I'm looking back at 4 days of nothing, in a good way. Literally walking from breakfast to lunch, little nap at the hostel, small 4k run with some workout, diner, a drink, figuring out my new plans, eating lots of Khao Soi (4a day is okay right?),  another nap, some vintage shopping, celebrated NYE with some nice people, rum, Jazz and Reggae. Happy New year.

On my way to Pai, for more good food and quick going further on towards Mae Hong Son for a couple of days of meditation and completely going offline.

Hopefully 2020 is going to be a wonderful year for everyone 🎇 ✨ 🌟