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April 15, 2009
Memories of Chiang Mai
I love Chiang Mai, a city that feels like a village set high in the hills of northern Thailand. Here, there are terraced rice paddies that go on and on—and when the wind hits them, sending soft ripples across the expanse of green, it’s just beautiful. The Thai people can plant rice for hours, squatting in their wide-brimmed hats. My girlfriends and I tried it for a little while, but we couldn’t hold the squat for more than a minute.
Chiang Mai is a deeply spiritual city, and its most sacred temple, Doi Suthep, sits atop a steep staircase flanked by two mythical serpents called naga. I met an older man while walking up this staircase. He was ahead of me, but I caught up to him and slowed down. When I looked over at him he smiled, his teeth brown and broken, his back hunched with age—and we walked the naga staircase together. When we arrived at the top, he turned to me and gave a little bow. I bowed, too, and we parted.
The people of Thailand are so warm, so friendly—and even a wordless encounter can become an unforgettable connection. Have you made similar connections during your travels? Tell me your story at:
harriet@oattravel.com
Harriet Lewis