A few random thoughts

 In Chiang Mai where I am living there is an abundant amount of flowering trees, therefore a sweet amount of colourful confetti covering the lawns and streets! Here is the gardener for our condo raking up the flamboyant leaves.
Today I went to drop off my bike to get repaired. Riding a bike here is kinda crazy, but its my mode of transportation and in 95-104 degree temperature, walking is no fun. The roads are like nowhere I have ever been, even the Caribbean looks tame to this mayhem where people weave in and out and go the wrong way and think the stop light is a suggestion! Anyhow, If I make it out alive, I am happy, yet no need living in fear and staying home.I will say its a concentration like no other. Off to the market  to get some random items (nails, string, bike light, White chanterelle mushrooms for less than a dollar, an apple crisp pan and a few other things) I love wandering around the market, I always find something new. Today find was a Vegetarian vender with all types of dishes. I got a green SPICY curry with eggplant dish with some type of either wheat or soy product fake meat stuff.! It was Yummy.  Someone told me the reason the veggies stay fresh so long from Most Thai markets and the Warorot Market is because they inject Formaldehyde to keep them fresh longer, not to mention the insecticides. This saddened me tremendously,I just can't imagine it. Locals told me to soak the produce in water for at least 15 mins. with a little baking soda. YIKES. I must also look for mineral water as the bottled water is empty of goodness. I will try to go to the organic mkt, yet I do not always have that choice and eating out you just can't always control it. I decided to do the best I can and not worry about it. I do Organic's when I can, but there are so many people eating these harmful foods now. I later read an article in the Bangkok paper talking about food in Thailand and the dangers. ( Like so many places)
 On a positive note there are all these signs at different temples that I am enjoying, here is a simple one I find to be true. By the way I leave my helmut, umbrella in my basket on my bike and it's no problem!After the market I rode to the neighbourhood bakery to pick up the left over old Bangkok newspapers to recycle them for my students. I also use them for class, to wrap gifts in, or when I paint. I find there is so much you can recycle when you do not have that much. I save coffee grounds and eggshells for plants(fertiliser), bottles( vases or salad dressing), onion bags (scrubbies), rubber bands for rubber bands and plastic bags for trash bags. One book I had to leave behind which I never finished is "All about stuff" I think it was called. It made me cry at first but think as well, and some say" its just the way it is", but I know I can do my part. Imagine if more people thought about it and did a little something? It's just one of those battles I will always fight after seeing the currents of mile long trash in the middle of the ocean. Not sure if anyone saw the post of Steve Cutts "Man" video ( on my Facebook page), but it's very intense and I recommend watching the 4 mins. Just little tidbits for thought.

I am the year of the Rabbit

 These kids studying medicine in Thailand asked to interview me!

At the Color Factory there was a workshop for kids from Singapore ( Why did USA axe Art in school?)

Typical Northern Thai dessert: Sweet gooey balls with nuts and garlic inside!( Felt like eating an eyeball!) 

Tradition and worship in the workplace!

One I like out of many

I could stay here 40 years and probably not see all the spirit houses of Chiang Mai.

speaks for itself, one of many signs around town.

My loaner bike packed full of goodies. Ahh Notice the bag of coconut water on the

handlebars. I shouldn't have, but it was extremely hot and I needed hydration. Bags Bags Bags.....

Thanks for reading, Until next time.....Annie