Chiang Mai, Thailand, was recently named one of the top 5 travel destinations in the world. I love living and working here. I lived in Bangkok for 5 years and I did NOT like living there. Bangkok is a city of 14 million people and that is waaaay too many for me. Chiang Mai has only 3 million. I know that it is weird to say, but Chaing Mai feels like a small town when you have been living in a mega city like Bangkok for 5 years.
The people here are friendly and there is a lot of English spoken which makes it a wonderful travel destination for Americans, Brits, Australians, or actually anybody who speaks English. There are actually many English speaking people living and working here. There are hundreds of NGO's or non-government organizations stationed here and also many retired people also.
Since Thailand is a free country surrounded by countries that are not free, there are many refugees here and many organizations working with them as well. There are many Christian groups working here also.
Thailand is a safe country to visit with just normal precautions, those being, stay out of the dens of iniquity at night and stay sober. No country is safe in combination with alcohol, prostitutes, and the crime that shows up in those kinds of places.
Chiang Mai is loaded with good restaurants, inexpensive, but very nice hotels, great markets for shopping and a lot of interesting sights to see and places to go nearby. I can see why it is rated as one of the top 5 travel destinations in the world. And to think that I am fortunate enough to actually live here.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Cool Season is Almost Here
The rains and the floods in Thailand are creating havoc still as rainy season is still hanging on with a vengeance. One of my favorite cities in all of Thailand is completely uninhabitable. Ayuttya (I never can remember how to spell it), is completely flooded. It is the capital of the old Kingdom with many ancient ruins which have survived for thousands of years and will no doubt survive this as well, but it is a real disaster area. There is an elephant reserve and birthing center that is under water. All of the elephants as well as their handlers are living atop a huge, high and wide wall until the waters go down. Trucks are lifting hay and food to them, but it is amazing to see how this is affecting this small city. The only way to travel in the city is by boat. People are living on the second and third floors of their homes, in unbelievable circumstances.
This is not the only city that is under water. Lop Buri is also having major difficulties. The crocodile farm was flooded and all the crocs escaped and are now roaming around in the flood waters and attempting to get into people's homes. And snakes...they are trying to find high ground too. It is not a good situation in much of Thailand right now. Many cities are in danger of flooding in the next few days as the water heads south down out of the mountains into Bangkok.
My co-workers and I have been fortunate so far. In our location in Chiang Mai, we have dodged the bullet this time around. In August we got the floods, but no water got into our house. We were warned a couple of weeks ago that the water was coming again and the river in Chiang Mai over ran its banks and flooded the downtown area, but we remained dry where we are, even though we put up sandbags and waited, the water never reached us.
Other countries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam are having horrible problems with flood waters. Right now we have friends from Bangkok who can't go home yet because as the water is flowing south the risk of their neighborhood being flooded is great.
Never a dull moment. Stay tuned.
This is not the only city that is under water. Lop Buri is also having major difficulties. The crocodile farm was flooded and all the crocs escaped and are now roaming around in the flood waters and attempting to get into people's homes. And snakes...they are trying to find high ground too. It is not a good situation in much of Thailand right now. Many cities are in danger of flooding in the next few days as the water heads south down out of the mountains into Bangkok.
My co-workers and I have been fortunate so far. In our location in Chiang Mai, we have dodged the bullet this time around. In August we got the floods, but no water got into our house. We were warned a couple of weeks ago that the water was coming again and the river in Chiang Mai over ran its banks and flooded the downtown area, but we remained dry where we are, even though we put up sandbags and waited, the water never reached us.
Other countries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam are having horrible problems with flood waters. Right now we have friends from Bangkok who can't go home yet because as the water is flowing south the risk of their neighborhood being flooded is great.
Never a dull moment. Stay tuned.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Rainy Season in Thailand
We've been back in Thailand for a month now. It is Rainy Season here. Thailand has 3 seasons. Rainy, Cool, and Dry. Dry Season is very hot and there is absolutely no rain for 3 months. It gets so hot and dusty as much of the lush vegetation dies off. But right now it is lush and it rains almost every day for a few hours. I like rainy season. It is much cooler and I know that the next season will be cool season, which will last from November to the end of January. Thai people actually wear big parkas with hoods, while I wear T-shirts and light weight clothing and think it is wonderful. Many of them ride motorcycles, though and I know that it can get nippy when you are zipping down the road without any protection.
Chiang Mai is a very nice city. Much better than Bangkok. Chiang Mai has only 3 million people and compared to the 14 million in Bangkok, it has an almost small town feel to it. There are many western restaurants and much English is spoken up here. There are several big universities that are English speaking and there are many Ex-pats living here.
Living here and knowing many of the things there are to do and things to see, I feel like I could write a travel brochure. Many of the real travel guides are a little too upscale for me. I like the local flavor and the little out of the way places that tourists don't know about. But then, I have actually developed a taste for fried silk worm larve and grasshoppers, so I may not be the best one to ask about things to do, see and eat in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai is a very nice city. Much better than Bangkok. Chiang Mai has only 3 million people and compared to the 14 million in Bangkok, it has an almost small town feel to it. There are many western restaurants and much English is spoken up here. There are several big universities that are English speaking and there are many Ex-pats living here.
Living here and knowing many of the things there are to do and things to see, I feel like I could write a travel brochure. Many of the real travel guides are a little too upscale for me. I like the local flavor and the little out of the way places that tourists don't know about. But then, I have actually developed a taste for fried silk worm larve and grasshoppers, so I may not be the best one to ask about things to do, see and eat in Chiang Mai.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Going Back to Thailand
I am going back to Thailand for who knows how long. I guess you could say that I live there. Texas is my home, but Thailand is where I split my time. My husband and I are missionaries and we work all over the world while living in Thailand.
Right now it is a lot cooler there than it is here in Texas. Triple digit temps for almost a month here now. Rainy season is on its way and by the time we get there, it should be just beginning in earnest. I like rainy season. Number one reason: it is a lot cooler than dry season. Number two reason: I enjoy the sound of rain on the tile roof, especially at bedtime. Makes me sleep well.
We have a lot of friends in Texas that I really hate to leave behind, but I also have a lot of friends in Thailand that I am anxious to see again, so there is a trade off there.
While we were in the U.S. this time, we made a trip down to the extreme South. Houma, Louisiana, the hometown of Susanna Domangue, who was my partner in crime for several years in several countries, doing mission work. She is now married, living in Atlanta, Georgia, with one little boy and another on the way. Her parents went to Atlanta and kidnapped her and the baby and hauled them down to Houma to see us when they found out we were coming. I had not seen her for 4 years. That is way too long. Her Dad is the Pastor of the Galilean Baptist Church there in Houma and their family and the church family have been dear friends of ours for almost 30 years. Houma--now that is a place worthy of a travel comment. It is so far south that New Orleans is considered "up north." Antebellum homes, alligators, Cajuns. It is a wonderful place to visit. If you ever make it as far south as New Orleans, head on down to Houma. Visit Avery Island, the home of Tabasco Sauce. South Louisiana is pretty awesome as an American tourist destination.
Right now it is a lot cooler there than it is here in Texas. Triple digit temps for almost a month here now. Rainy season is on its way and by the time we get there, it should be just beginning in earnest. I like rainy season. Number one reason: it is a lot cooler than dry season. Number two reason: I enjoy the sound of rain on the tile roof, especially at bedtime. Makes me sleep well.
We have a lot of friends in Texas that I really hate to leave behind, but I also have a lot of friends in Thailand that I am anxious to see again, so there is a trade off there.
While we were in the U.S. this time, we made a trip down to the extreme South. Houma, Louisiana, the hometown of Susanna Domangue, who was my partner in crime for several years in several countries, doing mission work. She is now married, living in Atlanta, Georgia, with one little boy and another on the way. Her parents went to Atlanta and kidnapped her and the baby and hauled them down to Houma to see us when they found out we were coming. I had not seen her for 4 years. That is way too long. Her Dad is the Pastor of the Galilean Baptist Church there in Houma and their family and the church family have been dear friends of ours for almost 30 years. Houma--now that is a place worthy of a travel comment. It is so far south that New Orleans is considered "up north." Antebellum homes, alligators, Cajuns. It is a wonderful place to visit. If you ever make it as far south as New Orleans, head on down to Houma. Visit Avery Island, the home of Tabasco Sauce. South Louisiana is pretty awesome as an American tourist destination.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
LONG TIME
It has been a long time since I kept up with myself, however a big event has hit. I finally realized my 48 year old dream of visiting Africa. I was there for 16 wonderful days in May. Three photo safaris, met several old and good friends, had a glorious time in most respects. Was able to see the animals, the people, the culture. It was expensive; much more than I thought it would be. We all have preconceived notions and for some reason I was under the impression that things would be cheap like they are in Asia. NOT! It amazes me how the locals manage, but they must because there are a lot of them. Many of the people have AIDS. It is everywhere and it is noticeable in the extreme gauntness of the people who are afflicted. Very sad...especially the kids. Nutritious food is too expensive for many, so they exist on corn meal mostly, with very little else. This was the part that was much less than glorious. It is very sad that so many live in such poverty. Disturbing and heartbreaking.
Friday, February 19, 2010
The U.S.
I have been in America for the past several months and the thing that hits me after being gone for a couple of years are grocery prices. All prices really, but grocery shopping was the first thing I did, so that was the first thing I noticed.
America has not gotten any better. It is more dangerous, less good, less Godly, more expensive, and generally scarier than ever. In the few months that I have been back, there was a terrorist attack on Fort Hood in Texas, an escalating economic crisis, and an ever increasing crime rate.
In the countries that I visit most of the people want to come to the United States. People who have never been here think that all Americans are rich, fat and happy. We are mostly fat, but the rich and happy part are seriously lacking for most of our population. And despite all of that, this is still the greatest country on earth. I wouldn't trade having America as my homeland for any other.
Yes, we are an arrogant lot, but we as Americans have always been the most benevolent and giving nation on earth to other countries in need. The countries that we have fought against, we have then rebuilt better than they were before. Remember Japan and South Korea? That is one of the problems today. People don't remember and our history is not taught truthfully in the public schools anymore. Our young people are taught a revisionist history that is distorted and full of lies. And our current administration is ruining us both at home and around the world.
I am leaving America once again for another country, but my heart will always remain here; in America, the greatest nation on earth.
America has not gotten any better. It is more dangerous, less good, less Godly, more expensive, and generally scarier than ever. In the few months that I have been back, there was a terrorist attack on Fort Hood in Texas, an escalating economic crisis, and an ever increasing crime rate.
In the countries that I visit most of the people want to come to the United States. People who have never been here think that all Americans are rich, fat and happy. We are mostly fat, but the rich and happy part are seriously lacking for most of our population. And despite all of that, this is still the greatest country on earth. I wouldn't trade having America as my homeland for any other.
Yes, we are an arrogant lot, but we as Americans have always been the most benevolent and giving nation on earth to other countries in need. The countries that we have fought against, we have then rebuilt better than they were before. Remember Japan and South Korea? That is one of the problems today. People don't remember and our history is not taught truthfully in the public schools anymore. Our young people are taught a revisionist history that is distorted and full of lies. And our current administration is ruining us both at home and around the world.
I am leaving America once again for another country, but my heart will always remain here; in America, the greatest nation on earth.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Things are Changing
Many things are changing around the world and also around my world. We are once again leaving one place and going to another for a period of time. We spent April in the country of Lithuania. It is a very beautiful place and reminds me of rural America in the 1940's. I have been there 3 times and I like it better each time I go.
I have been very slack in writing on this blog. Flying under the wire caught up with me and I had to change some things. If you know who I am, please keep it to yourself. Rather than eliminate the blog and delete everything, I am trying this. Some of the countries we visit do not appreciate it when we tell people that they should or shouldn't visit there.
We are heading out of Thailand and back to the US for a few months. We need some time away from Bangkok and the miserable heat, smog, traffic and other things that make this place difficult. The tourism industry was ruined for this season by the ridiculous antics of the opposition "red shirt" party closing down one of the largest airports in Southeast Asia for over a week and the police and the military not doing a thing about it. It was no wonder people didn't want to come here. Getting stranded for an unknown amount of time really capped it for many people who have sworn they will never visit here again. Many of the smaller hotels and vendors have gone bankrupt because of the lack of tourists. It was a non-event for those of us living here, but for those trying to vacation then go home it was a nightmare. Hope the airport is open when it is time for us to vacate, but you never know.
Thailand's revered king is the only thing holding this country together and he is very old. Although the king supposedly has no political power, don't let that fool you. He holds incredible power. For the Thai people, his word is law. We thank God every day that he is a benevolent king and a really good person, otherwise this country would be in trouble. We shudder to think what will happen here when he dies. He has been the stabilizing influence in this country through thick and thin for over 60 years. Pray for his health, as I said before, he is very old and his health is poor.
I have been very slack in writing on this blog. Flying under the wire caught up with me and I had to change some things. If you know who I am, please keep it to yourself. Rather than eliminate the blog and delete everything, I am trying this. Some of the countries we visit do not appreciate it when we tell people that they should or shouldn't visit there.
We are heading out of Thailand and back to the US for a few months. We need some time away from Bangkok and the miserable heat, smog, traffic and other things that make this place difficult. The tourism industry was ruined for this season by the ridiculous antics of the opposition "red shirt" party closing down one of the largest airports in Southeast Asia for over a week and the police and the military not doing a thing about it. It was no wonder people didn't want to come here. Getting stranded for an unknown amount of time really capped it for many people who have sworn they will never visit here again. Many of the smaller hotels and vendors have gone bankrupt because of the lack of tourists. It was a non-event for those of us living here, but for those trying to vacation then go home it was a nightmare. Hope the airport is open when it is time for us to vacate, but you never know.
Thailand's revered king is the only thing holding this country together and he is very old. Although the king supposedly has no political power, don't let that fool you. He holds incredible power. For the Thai people, his word is law. We thank God every day that he is a benevolent king and a really good person, otherwise this country would be in trouble. We shudder to think what will happen here when he dies. He has been the stabilizing influence in this country through thick and thin for over 60 years. Pray for his health, as I said before, he is very old and his health is poor.
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