Thou Shall Not Steal

Having been mugged in Salvador, Brazil in 2015 was probably the worst experience I ever had in my travels. Although I wasn't injured, the audacity of the mugger, who went after my phone in broad daylight on a Sunday afternoon, caused me to be on edge and to look over my shoulder for the rest of the trip.

Most major cities in Europe are rife with pickpockets or snatch-and-grab thieves who, although non-violent, do force you to be vigilant when in crowds.

Bangkok has its share of scammers who will try to lure you to an exclusive "one-day-only" sale of emeralds, or tuk-tuk drivers who will take-take you on a very expensive roundabout route to your destination.

And then there's Chiang Mai. This is a city where merchants close their shop for lunch by hanging a length of cord across the entrance. Where the throngs of scooter riders leave their helmets unguarded and unlocked on their bikes. Where I can wear my Garmin sports watch and walk down a dark alley at night without fear of someone trying to take it from me.

I don't know if it's the influence of the Buddhist religion, the belief in karma or the fear of prosecution or imprisonment, but for some reason, it feels safer to be in Chiang Mai than in Vancouver, Toronto or Monteal, not to mention most major US cities.

Another of the many reasons why Brenda and I keep returning here winter after winter.Baca lagi