Chiang Mai was absolutely amazing and I'm so happy we reserved a whole week to chill there! We ended up going to another Muay Thai event, visited a Karen and Hmong village, rode on bamboo rafts, and even rode on an elephant (I sat on it's head!). The town in incredibly relaxed full of good people and great food. We got oil massages almost everyday but the best part may have been my one on one cooking sessions with Mom (not sure about her real name but everyone just called her Mom or Granny). Mom's son owned the guesthouse we stayed in and she graciously let us use her kitchen any time we wanted. The first night she told me to take a bike and get some ingredients from the market. It felt awesome to weave my way through the crowded market with Mom's ingredient list in my hand... I felt like a local! When I got back she yelled at me saying "too much, too much!" I just shrugged my shoulders and said, "what do you expect? I'm American." We ended up making a great cashew nut chicken the first night and then a sweet and sour chicken the next night. I'm convinced that the reason her dishes taste so good are because she truly does cook with love.
So now, after 30 hours hopping from airport to airport, I find myself stranded in Mill Valley (my car battery died while I was away). Maybe it's a sign that I should try to stay put for a while? No such luck. Off to Eric's wedding tomorrow and then to Sun River for major resting, relaxing, reading, and rafting!
I feel so fortunate to have had time to discover and explore Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This summer was filled with beauty, learning, new friends, adventures, and tons of emotions. Thanks to all of you who wrote to me while I was away! Traveling was made so much easier knowing there was love coming from across the oceans!
Well, now I gotta start planning for next summer's big adventure.... hmmmm... volunteering in Africa or trekking with Byron through South America.....?
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