Thailand-Day 10-Chiang Saen to Chiang Mai

Despite the gracious invitation to stay longer with John's roommate's parents, we headed out in the morning to Chiang Mai. Once we got there, we pulled out the guidebook and spent a nice day (in gorgeous weather) visiting some temples, had more amazing food, and walked through some different markets. I think it's a telling sign that I am still ranting about the food although it's my tenth day in Thailand. It takes some effort to mix so many different flavors into one dish, and the Thai put in the effort. Chiang Mai was a really nice, calm, touristy town. As we entered the main temple, the large number of special event vans were a sign that something was happening. The giant float like structures adorned with pictures of an elderly monk made it clear that there was a memorial ceremony/celebration going on for a deceased monk from the temple. So extensive were the floats that it was hard for me to walk around without walking through a group of Thais paying homage or making merit in the monk's memory.

What I found most interesting about the temple (which featured amazing sculptures of elephants on its own) was that there were multiple tables set up around the memorial area offering free food and drink to all visitors. Buddhism is the state religion, carries weighty importance to Thais personally, and is very prevalent around the country. From what I gleaned in the few conversations I had, Buddhism is not as doctrine oriented as other religions and focuses very much on serving others or society by making merits of many kinds. It helps explain the free food for visitors. Nonetheless, it surprised me that the restaurants or groups providing this free food made sure to have English signs along those in Thai announcing the free food. Having just had a big lunch, I did not partake of the gracious offer, but found it very impressive.

At the end of the day, and our travels together, John and I ended inconveniently at a night market that was great to walk around, but offered only infrequent food vendors in a sea of clothes and shoes. So, we quickly crossed the river over to the side lined with riverside restaurants. Unfortunately for us, they all had riverside prices. We saw a restaurant sign on what looked like a trendy art studio. Luckily, the sign was right. It was a restaurant that was completely decorated with products from a home decorations company. The food was great, the atmosphere even better and we enjoyed a great meal to end our little trip around northern Thailand together.