It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

Well it has been awhile since I wrote in my blog and a few of my friends have been asking where I am so I guess I will catch you up to date.

After hitting the ground running the moment I arrived, I decided to just soak up the day to day life in Chiang Mai and so I have been practicing my newly learned meditation, taking day trips and hangin' with the neighbors. It is monsoon season so it is not unusual that we have to wait to head out. So one day before going for a ride I asked Joe, "do we need our rain gear?" Well I should have known better than to listen when he said "Nah!" (I mean since when do I listen anyway?)


Needless to say, there was a torrential downpour and since it was so difficult to see, we were not only wet, we were lost. It was a good day to practice acceptance :).

Funny how just before it started to pour we had stopped in Bo Sang where they have an umbrella factory.


I love how the Universe works. It lets you know exactly what you need to know but then again you have to be willing to listen and I believe I previously mentioned my problem in that area :).

So meet the neighbors.

I have spent most of my time with a young man named Yanik


He is a great kid and it amazes me that he speaks 4 languages. I find it rather humbling since I barely speak good English :). He loves to play video games so I guess kids are the same everywhere and he likes me to watch him so I can applaud his ability and skills to get to the next level. His mom's name is Pia, who is such a creative spirit that I envy her. Yes, I have a lot of work to do to walk the path of the Buddha.


Here she is lovingly looking at her son playing games when he should be home doing his chores. Oops contributing to the delinquency of a minor, AGAIN!

There is Joe and Rita who live next door





and John, who is directly behind us.









And then of course, there is my friend Joe


who has been so incredibly generous, is a great travel partner, a teacher, philosopher and a guide throughout Thailand. We will be leaving on Wednesday for a trip to southern Thailand where I am going to get my scuba certificate and then off to Vietnam and Cambodia.

Until tomorrow................



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