Chiang to the Mai

I arrived in Chiang Mai early Saturday morning via the night train. I was hoping it would be somewhat like the night bus in Harry Potter (stop scoffing Ames) but it was more akin to being smashed around on a trampoline - so clearly it was fun!

I did meet a nice English chap to chat with though and some Chinese guys who offered me a job in China.

Got checked into the guest house and wandered around the Old City for the afternoon. The Old City has a river running in a square around it, so after you get your bearings it's pretty easy to find your way around.

Met some English girls who were staying at my guest house and a Swiss girl so we all met up for dinner. Chatted with a monk, some cool Thai guys and was ready to cuddle up to pig pillow for the night.

Today I did a cooking course through the hostel. It was fabulous! We got to pick out five things we wanted to make and then went to buy the ingredients at the market. Bananas and coconut milk, the amazing things you do. The instructor was this hilarious old Thai man who said things like, "If you chop like that, your food will be bad," and "you are not good at that." He also never stopped for breaths during his sentences so naturally I creepily video taped him talking, in the event that I need a good laugh.

Met a couple more British girls in the cooking class and have booked a 2 day trek with them starting tomorrow. Wednesday I think I'll head to Pai for a couple days and then to Laos, where I will meet up with the lovely Michelle in Vang Vieng so we can tube, and swing and hug each other.

Now I am going to nap, shower and go out with my new friends, and try and hide the fact that I bought a really tacky wallet in Bangkok, so I can remain sort of cool.

xox