"No hiking, no happy! No up, no fun!"

Hi everyone!! I have so much to share and so little time/capacity to sit still long enough to write! I'll try to keep it brief. First off, I love Chiang Mai. I understand why it's a tourist haven. The city itself is dirty and quaint. You can't walk one block without a food vendor=heaven for me:) or a 7-11. Seriously, there are 100 times the amount of 7-11s in Thailand AND they're always open. It's convenient, yet sad for the small businesses (from my hippie perspective). Anyway, we have enjoyed the night bizarre many times for cheap food and bargaining. I am starting to get sick of having to barter and bargain for everything. From a tuk-tuk ride to bottle of water at the market, it is somewhat exhausting to always feel like you're getting ripped off.
Sorry, vent. Pretty much my only negative Thailand remarks, other than terrible pollution...mmm the fresh scent of diesel to wake you up in the morning and the inability to see mountains that are only 50km away:)
Ok, so highlights of my life as of now...ready...set....GO!
1. 3 day, 2 night trek through the jungle south of Chiang Mai city (still in Ch Mai province). We were led by 3 guides from the Karin tribe (not sure of spelling). They led us, cooked for us, entertained us etc. The first day started with lunch then ELEPHANT RIDING!!! i LOVE elephants. Thailand is the country for me. Alex and I had the biggest elephant. it was so fun. Oh man. I felt like a little kid at Disneyland, only I don't actually like Disneyland, but you understand. I took lots of photos and videos, brace yourself:) I wish I had a trunk to help me shovel food and ears to flap...After elephants, we did a light hike to a wonderful waterfall. Bathing commenced. We were the only 2 Americans, then there 2 dutch girls, one british girl, 4 french, 2 Irish (mom and daughter! so amazing), and 2 Russian. It was a funny, broken-English
That night we ate a delicious meal of green curry, pumpkin something and mixed veggies. We played cards, drank beer, had a fire, star-gazed and bonded. Sigh. I LOVE nature.
Day 2 started with a tougher 3 hour morning and then the option of hard or easy afternoon hikes. Alex and I were the only two that wanted a hard hike...ask and you shall receive. Holy geez. It was truly one of the most amazing hikes of my life. River crossings, walking through rice paddies, taking off socks and shoes to walk--well, wade through bogs, TONS of very steep uphill and downhill...all at a running pace to beat the sunset. I have many new scars to share. Things Thais don't think about and that I love about not America, liability:) Hard, hard hike. The whole group would not have made it. At all. LOVE thailand. That night got crazy with our guides...have pictures of sooty face games too.
2. Both nights we used mosquito nets.
3. I saw the largest spiders and other bugs of my life. I have some random rash. coincidence? hm.
4.The last day we hiked then took bamboo rafts down a river. Don't worry, they let us shower in a waterfall WITH our personal care products. Ohhhh Asia:)
5. I practiced English with a Buddhist monk for 2 hours on Wednesday. He waved me down at a temple. It was a weird experience. Please ask me about it if you want to know more as a blog seems like an inappropriate place to reflect about it. Suffice to say, he's had an American sponsor since he was 7 that has put him through school and provided food. He's 23 now. Pretty remarkable. I also sensed he was hitting on me the whole time. awkward.
6. I went to the zoo. It was a little sad and tons of school kids kept staring at me and giggling. Oh giant white girl with curly hair and blue eyes. BUH!
7. I saw GIANT leaves in the jungle. I've never seen anything so large.
8. There are dogs everywhere here. Again, it makes me so happy. They accompanied us on the hike. and there were puppies EVERWHERE. man, i love dogs.
9. Alex rented a motorbike and tried to convince me. I declined. He fell and self-injured. He's ok. I feel very validated in my decision:)
10.I now love papaya. If you know me, you know I've HATED it for years, which is weird for me and food.
11. Just finished an all day cooking class. best decision ever. I never need to eat again. SUCH GOOD FOOD! Brace yourself, I will cook for you when I return. whahahah! Hope you like spicy:)
12. I hope you're all wonderful. I'm sleep-deprived, tan, with a weird arm and leg rash, scaped up, overwhelmingly full, sweaty and the happiest I have been in ages. Wish everyone could join me on the journey! Email early and often:)
Off to Chiang Rai and Laos for the next couple of days....
Love,
Lauren