Chiang Mai by Bus

Last night I departed from Bangkok via bus, headed for Chiang Mai. Only $5 for a 12 hour bus ride! A good deal all in all, especially since the trains aren't working due to flooding in the north of the country. Chiang Mai is pleasant - surrounded by lush green mountains, comprised of an inner city surrounded by a moat surrounded by an outer city.

I'm all signed up for two weeks of Thai massage at the International Training Massage School and am booked at a hostel for tonight at least. My hope is to find a discount on a long-term place in the old city, but am too beat today to go asking. This evening I will go shopping at the night market to buy clothes (since I have no clean ones to speak of at this point).

Today a friend and I rented bicycles from a kind girl whose name is "Gift" translated to English, and slowly peddled around the city goggling at the many wats, tuk tuks, fruit stands, and tourist traps. I may buy a bike if I stay here for a long time, since commuting to the massage school via foot will be quite a trek every day.

Off to find some food!