THAILAND 3- Chang Mai

Enchanting. There is no other word for Thailand’s Rose of the North. Chang Mai is like a city from a fairy tale, complete with a moat and ancient wall. I’ve been searching for a way to describe its beauty ever since we arrived. The temples, the streets, the market... it leaves me spellbound. I am drunk with the color of the bazaar, the smells of the food vendors, the music of the bands, and the taste of fresh pineapple. Most powerful of all is the sense of joy. It isn’t the warm weather and exotic flora that make Chang Mai a tropical paradise; it’s the people. How can I convey their warm kindness? A part of me wishes I could capture the happiness they’ve given me, and share it, but another is selfishly content with keeping the memories for myself. Playing slapjack with children at a monastary, hanging out with the owners of Rama’s, being invited to dance to reggae... I cherish these moments far more than any souvineer.