Thank you Chiang Mai

I woke up to a quiet Chiang Mai. The vendors has all cleared out over the night. The food vendors here work their asses off. It’s really amazing watching them night after night.
I’ve been thinking of a few things I’m super glad I brought on this trip. I originally wanted to take only a 45 liter travel backpack. And 2 days before I left, I gave up and bought a small 22 inch carryon to take as well. If it’s your 1st trip somewhere, you don’t know what you don’t know. But from what I did know, I’m super pleased to have brought:
1) My Keene Whispers: They are super comfy, had better support than I thought they would and protect my toes like nobody’s business. They have great traction, and I don’t mind walking through weird puddles in them. They are all I’ve worn in Chiang Mai. So happy I brought them.
2) My PACSAFE bag: I love the Pacsafe brand. They have slash resistant material, great locking mechanisms , and are perfect for busy transportation, crowded markets, and touristy areas. I had a bum bag on backorder with them, and I was so excited to get it. But it’s heavy, and in keeping with my 1 backpack, it just wasn’t fitting. But again, at the last minute, I decided I really wanted to take it. I knew it would be invaluable on the busy crowded streets I’d be on. And I was RIGHT!! This thing has been the bag I’ve predominantly used. I lock it up and have it on my chest, and it keeps everything safe.
3) My bungee clip attachment for my phone: So one thing you hear about (more so in Vietnam) is people coming by on Motorbikes and snatching phones out of people’s hands. So I got an attachment for my phone. It sticks to the phone under the case, and has a cord that comes out the bottom with a clip piece attached. Then you clip it to the other piece that looks like an old school telephone cord, and has a clip on the other end. So I can attach my phone to it, and clip it to a clip inside my Pacsafe bag and it stayed put. It’s also really good so I don’t drop my phone (either in the water or over the balcony). The last 3 nights during the festival, some of the fireworks were so loud, I’d jump. And I clipped my phone to myself immediately so it would slid off my lap through the opening in the wall of the balcony. Because it wouldn’t have fallen to the street, where I could get it. It would have fallen onto the roof below me in no-man’s land.
4) My reusable bag: I wanted to make sure to take one. I had one in a drawer that I think Aunt Caroline gave me years ago. It comes in a nice little bag and has my name on it. Well, this has been the PERFECT bag. ( I had bought another one to bring and don’t like it at all, compared to this one.) It is small enough to put in my pacsafe bag, so when I’d go to the market, my noodles, bottle of water, fruit, and snacks all when into that bag. It was great!! Thank you Aunt Caroline!
5) My dog tag ID: I found a company called ROAD-ID. They primarily make bracelets and dog tags for runners and cyclists to wear, in case they get into an accident, they had their info on them. I thought this would be a great idea to have since I’m traveling alone. The biggest concern I’ve had here is the traffic. Mod, my tattoo guy, warned me, “They will not stop, so be careful.” And what I have been concerned about is getting clipped by a motorbike. And if I hit my head , there’s a possibility I would be unconscious for a minute or be kinda out of it . So I have this dog tag around my neck every single time I step foot outside. It has my name, DOB, my passport # the name of my travel insurance policy, my travel insurance policy # and the phone number to call regarding my insurance.
Mom and I talked about this at length before I left. It wouldn’t do anyone any good if I put her # on the tag. If I got hurt, I don’t want someone on the street calling her in the middle of the night across the world. That’s not going to help. I want whatever country I’m in to know I have insurance! We can call mom once I’ve been taken care of. So I’m very grateful to have that on me at all times.
There is a DHL shipping place down the street. I think I’m going to get a bag together and ship some stuff home today. My sneakers are going home, I’m not wearing them again, there’s no need. ( I’ll make sure there isn’t any money in them.) My flip flops are going too. A couple of shirts, and anything that I don’t really need. Lol, I brought so much bug spray. I’m glad I did, but I don’t need as much as I brought.
So I successfully got a box shipped off to home. The sneakers and other stuff I had extras of are in there. Of course I had to got to 2 places, but the girl at the 1st place was super nice and directed my to the post office where they were really nice.
It’s funny, I saw the air BB’s host’s dad (the nice old pharmacist) and asked him what he wanted me to do with the keys as I was leaving at 7 am tomorrow. He said, “ I will come and check the apt before you go. Then you can give me the keys “. I said “Ok, I’m leaving tomorrow at 7 am. So I’ll see you at 6:45 am then. “ And he said “ 6:45 in the morning? Why not”.
It’s just kinda weird. I’m trying to think of I’ve ever had anyone check the place before I left. I don’t think so. I think it’s the difference of generations. And my host said her Aunt owns the building so there may be some family stuff going on there.
This is great city. I look forward to coming back.Baca lagi