"Fewer Words, More Pictures" - Chiang Mai My Birthday - DAY 1

A wise man once told me, (well, it was Innes actually) "Lisa, when you write in a blog, use fewer words and post more pictures."  So here goes.  It won't be as witty as Innes' posts but it's guaranteed to be more verbose.
It's not really my birthday.  Today is the 1st of February and I was born on the last day - well, usually the last day.  This month, the second-to-last day.  Had I been born less than one hour later, I would be having my 12th birthday this month, making Innes a much, much older man.  As it stands and for the record, he is one week older - to the day.

DAY 1 - Doi Suthep Temple Run
There I go again with too many words and no photos.  I tried like mad to find a race in Southeast Asia to compete in before the weather gets too hot, but I ran out of options.  So instead I decided to head to Chiang Mai, where I heard about a lot of running trails and  a great little coffee shop called Basecamp Coffee, where I could get all the running info I needed for a fun weekend.
It was only 2 miles from my hotel to the coffee shop but running there was a bad idea.  Suthep Road is super busy with heavy (diesel) traffic, but the mountain in the distance was calling to me.

Suthep Road

Probably one of the worst choices I have made this year was to download AirVisual, which shows the Air Quality Index (AQI) all over the world.  It was at 170 that day in Chiang Mai.  (You can see Beijing's AQI as a comparison.)   Also part of the reason I've stopped running outdoors in Yangon.  I thought I could get some fresh air in Thailand...

But hey, at least we are beating New Delhi...

And here is Vail by comparison....

This guy was mending running shoes along Suthep Road.  It was really cool.  He had a HUGE needle and was putting the sole back on a pair of shoes.  Anyone who comes to Chiang Mai should donate your old running shoes here.  They will find a new life.

Back to Basecamp Coffee...

https://www.facebook.com/pg/BasecampCoffeeHouse/about/?ref=page_internal

Kek  (sounds like Cake and probably spelled wrong; sadly I didn't get a photo of her) was super helpful.  She plugged the Pilgrim Trail map into my phone and off I went.  All the way around the block and finally back to where I started before I realized my phone was upside down.

Wilder has been having a hard time finding a job at uni in the UK, but I found her a gig in Chiang Mai (English/Spanish, no Korean...yet).

This is WAY steeper than it looks.

I really was impressed with how clean the trail was along the way.

And did I mention it was steep?

Not something I normally see on my trail runs. Amazing.

Photos not doing justice to this place...

You might be able to see a guy in a black t-shirt at the top of this next photo. I am sorry to report that he passed me and I couldn't hang onto him.  I kept telling myself that I am twice his age, but my bruised ego was just not listening.  So I told myself he was probably running at altitude in the Alps last weekend and Yangon is flat, etc. which still didn't help. I did catch him later (when he stopped to drink water and check his map).  We actually ran the last part of the way up together and then suddenly ended up back together on the way down.  It was fun to have a rabbit to chase.  He was going up and back, up and back, checking on his girlfriend.

I think I mentioned that the trail was steep.  But it was also OH SO FUN!

Surprisingly strong bamboo bridge...on the way up.

And on the way down.  Bouncy too!

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple - I didn't actually go in this time b/c I was not dressed appropriately. 

Parking lot surprisingly empty in the photo.  There were vans and buses everywhere!

Cool hand-painted maps along the way.

I ran another mile or so past the temple up a 2-lane highway and came into these stands of trees that were MASSIVE.  I could have stayed there in the shade the rest of the day.

The way back down just pounded my quads.  I have not had much thrilling downhill in my life lately and I'm sorely afraid that I will be unable to walk tomorrow.  When I got back to Basecamp Coffee, Kek gave me a patch for completing the run, as well as some stickers.  I will be back!

I got back to my hotel just in time for check out. All together, about 13 miles round trip.

Lee Chiang Hotel - lovely place, very clean with a good breakfast if you are in Chiang Mai for a visit.  

Day 1 Part II - Sukantara Resort

I was going to keep the cost down on my solo trip, but I also knew I needed to get out of the city.  I went back and forth about spending extra money to go up to the Sukantara Resort when there are nice, affordable hotels all over Chiang Mai, but let me tell you this was so worth the extra $.  Sukantara is about 45-50 minutes from Chiang Mai.

Upriver from check-in.

Path to "Boss Father's House"

Downriver.

Although this would have been a good choice for my legs, I did not have the willpower to embrace these frigid waters.

Tasted like chicken.

Even though I was traveling alone this week, both of my hotel reservations showed two people.  When I turned up alone, the lady who checked me in asked if I was sure I wanted to be in the tent across the river.  She offered to upgrade me to a room closer to the front desk.  I politely declined as this was the little slice of heaven I was hoping for.

Home sweet home.  My little bamboo enshrined wall tent on the river.

View of the lodge and dining room from my tent.

Way to my room, the bridge had some serious sway if you weren't careful..or if you had too much wine at dinner.

And the way back to the hotel...

The bridge from my deck.

When my waiter seated me for dinner he said, "Only one tonight?  Hmmm...lonely." And then he walked away.  I'm noticing a pattern.  I kept trying to explain that next time I would bring my husband but I don't think they believe me.

View from the dining room.

I have not had (or needed ) a hot bath in months - but this was the best way to finish a long day. My tired legs were quite happy.

The nights were so cool that I turned off the A/C and just unzipped the window covers on the wall tent.  It was so nice to hear the river all night and feel the cool breeze through the screens.  I even needed my down jacket the next morning.

I debated adding this photo, but I really felt that happy this morning.

I honestly believe that running makes me a better human.  I am an anxious person with a tendency towards a bit of depression at times.  I never feel as happy as I do when I am running - especially on trails.  I have many runner friends who have struggled with depression and anxiety as well and we all agree that nothing works as well as trail running.  I call it dynamic meditation.   I am so grateful that I got to go on this trip and I didn't feel anxious for one single moment.  Or lonely.  I am alone but not lonely.  I am also the luckiest girl in the world b/c I get to go home to Innes, Wilder (when she's not at uni) and Luca.  So I get the best of all worlds - and they know I'm crazy but they still love me.

Morning coffee.

20 from the corner of king and burma

Well sometimes the best sounding ideas...
Here was the plan for my next 20 pictures in 2020. I would go sit on a corner and watch the world go by. Had to be 20 pictures in that. I chose the corner of king and burma because of its cool sign and its shady perch with a view down 2 streets. What went down? Not much actually- guess I picked the wrong corner or time of day. Can't win em all (and I even left the corner to wander)

Here is the corner


I am intrigued every time I see one of these wire snaggles

You see lots of taxis. Taxis and bikes, I like the bikes.

Lisa wants a bougainvillea in our yard- this one would be nice

The timeless battle: leaf v insect.

 They see me rollin

So that's it. Didn't even get to ten. Next time. I thought that at least there was some good to get out of a shortened excursion: the dog was happy I was back- but nope he was more interested in the shepherd down the block.

20 for 20

Not sure the exact context, but over the holidays I mentioned I love all the details here. My mom then mentioned she likes to hear them. So these are for you mom, every so often I'll go take 20 pics in 2020 and give a few details. It will either be quite dull or mildy entertaining. In any case- enjoy.

Our house and front gate

Next door they are putting on a new roof. This guy is 40 feet up, barefoot.

These carts are quite common. Used to deliver water, pick up trash, etc.

I just missed this one, she and her child were both smiling a second ago- alas!

Than Lwin road must be the bane of delivery drivers. The numbers are in somewhat of an order but you just have to get a feel for where the house you are looking for might be.

The road to school, just has that "whats around the corner" vibe to it I guess

You would never know. That later the most amazing cooking meat smells will come from this cart on the left. On the right they make betel nut.

Tri shaw driver waiting for a fare. They know how to get comfortable, I have seen many asleep in their side cars- that's good sleep balance.

Newspaper delivery man

Banyan tree. Just wow.

Usually a lot more people out walking, always with colorful longyis.

Little cafe round the corner from school. Has a reliable supply of old dudes sitting, sipping, and likely bs'ing about life.

This is an example of an e-bike. I get passed by these often and at first was shocked that an old heavy rattle trap could drop me. Then I started seeing the batteries.

Some construction workers waiting for tea.

Cement bags. These get used! First for cement, then for carrying dirt, trash, leaves, whatever! I have seen them used as driveway paver stones, barrier walls, even posh backpacks. 

Hey look, it's Luca!

Would have missed this one but for the one that dropped on my head as I went under.

This guy was adjusting the mirrors. Across the street was a man (in a fedora) nodding no, no, no, yes each time they were moved.

This is the hotel across the street from our house, that top bit just doesn't seem to quite be done...

On the train with Matt, to the pitch with Mike.

We had a lovely week capped off with an even lovelier weekend. We had visitors! Matt and Ani from Newcastle upon Tyne- yes the same Newcastle as Wilder! They're family! Swinging thru from Thailand on their Asian epic they stayed during the week: we would go to work and they would relax and explore the city. Then came the weekend.

Matt and I decided to try the circle line. Basically its a commuter train that circles the city in about 3 hours. It could do it in less time its just an old slow train... perfect. We checked the map and jumped on.

Another expat asked us our itinerary, we replied that we had none, just wanted to get off someplace random and wander about. We also wanted to enjoy the ride so we went and sat in the open doorway (they never close) and watched the city slide by

As you can imagine we were on the extraordinary class

All kids anywhere in the world need to have fun is : other kids, random objects, and no adults.

The sellers on the train were great. Picture this: The tray of food balances on the lady's head-no hands! She carries a basket with bags, spices, and a stool. If you want spicy noodle salad she drops the stool, sits down, and in one fluid motion brings the tray to her lap. Then in the middle bowl mixes all the ingredients and drops them in a clear plastic bag. After sticking in two chopsticks she hands it over- amazing! The lady in the back ground was her customer in this pic- she had her own basket of eggs. We also saw people selling cabbage, oranges, eyeglasses, and some type of fried goodness. This was the weekend and I hear on the weekday commute you are basically visited by the entire grocery store on your way home- brilliant.

Turns out the circle route isn't running in a circle at present- just a straight line up and back. No problem, that just gives us reason to return and try it again. We did end up getting off at a random spot and wandered. We found a beer shop, a fish restaurant, a bbq and beer restaurant, a sock store, a hardware store having a party, a snack shop with a cat sleeping in the chips, a bike shop with bike tubes and chains, a bike shop with tube and chain tools, a bike shop with Faisal. If you are wondering whether or not we visited these places the answer is yes,no,yes,yes,yes,yes,yes,yes, and yes (Faisal was very nice and seemed to have worked out often)

The next day Matt and Ani caught the bus to Bago and further adventures. Mike, Franco Simpson and I decided to catch the opening fixture of the Myanmar premier league. We have decided to throw our support behind the local squad: Yangon United.

Within minutes of entering we had found jerseys and beer.

Yes, Let's.

The opposing team was Chin United, and they took advantage of the backdrop to take some headshots of their players. Here is their goalie (made me think of another keeper I know)

Apparently I bought the away jersey as the home kit is a delightful teal into pink blend. Will have to go back for another game I suppose. 

Hard fought. 1-1 at the half, 2-1 win at full time. This is our year. Let's do it.