Sa-was-de (Hello) Thailand!

A lot has happened since the last time I wrote.  Let's see, I returned from Ecuador, spent some time in the US, and now here I am in Thailand.

Dan and I left New York on Wednesday at 2pm, and after 3 flights, long layovers, and numerous failed attempts at sleeping, we arrived in Chiang Mai at 11am (local time) on Friday.  

In case you're wondering, yes, we managed to get some sushi on our layover in Tokyo...

Our goal was to find a hostel, check-in and relax for a bit while forcing ourselves to stay awake until a reasonable bedtime hour. However, an attempt at a one-hour nap quickly turned into five hours.  So much for beating the jet lag...It's Monday now, and I think I have finally adjusted to the time difference, but Dan is still struggling quite a bit.

So, we could live anywhere in the world (with good Internet), so why did we choose Chiang Mai?  Well, for one thing, neither of us had ever been to Asia, so now seemed like a good time. For another, who can deny the deliciousness of Thai food?  Not to mention the cheap cost of living, elephant rides and Thai massages...

Chiang Mai is the third biggest city in Thailand, and I think that for some odd reason, I like "third biggest" cities...They are big enough that the people speak English, but small enough to easily get around and not feel completely like a "farong" (Thai word for gringo).

This is the first time I have ever arrived in a place not knowing even one word.   I've had to remind myself at least twenty times already how to say "thank you," "yes" and "no."  Next week I'll try to master "hello" and "goodbye."  The Thai language is so foreign to my brain, and unfortunately nothing sticks (I wish the random song lyrics would move aside and make space for Thai words).  So, Dan and I have resorted to pointing at things and smiling, and for some odd reason, sometimes communicating in Spanish. 

It's quite surreal to be walking past temples that I had seen in images online and in books.  I don't think my brain has fully comprehended that I am actually here.  I feel as if I am still in the US, paying a visit to "Thai-town" (the Thai equivalent of Chinatown).

So far the food has lived up to expectations.  Dan and I went to a restaurant near our hostel last night for dinner-- I didn't have my camera with me, so I'll do my best to describe it.  Imagine a live band playing music in the corner, tables overlooking the river, lights hanging from the trees, Dan eating a pad thai dish with water and me a pork noodle soup with lemonade.  All for $8.  Is this real life?

I was looking for a place that was different than what I was used to; a place where I could learn something new every day; a place where traveling would once again become an adventure...and I'm pretty sure that I found it.