Gold Scaffolding

Today was my first full day in Chiang Mai. It was rather enjoyable. I started the day off with big mugga Starbucks (2 stores within a 2 block radius of my hotel). The weather is a tad bit chilly, but it's still quite pleasant. It was warm enough to wear shorts. All the Thai locals were wearing wool sweaters and scarves, but us Farangs were wearing shorts and t-shirts. I guess we are a hardier bunch. =)

This morning, I went to the local tourist trap: the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple. This temple is perched high atop the local mountains, and requires a lengthy climb up a few hundred steps. The road leading to the temple is one of the windiest (snakiest?) I've ever encountered. I can't imagine walking or cycling it. On the way up the staircase to the temple, there was a nice old elephant gladly taking food donations from willing tourists. It was fun to watch the elegant beast vacuum up the offerings with it's trunk and stuff it into it's mouth.

Once in the temple itself, I was a little disappointed. The temple is famous for being totally covered in gold. But now, it is also covered in gold scaffolding, as it is undergoing some maintenance. Bad timing, unfortunately. Though, I still managed to get some great photos of other areas of the temple. It was supremely crowded today, so there are pretty well no photos without people in them, but I am still satisfied.

Later in the day, I visited the local shopping meccas: Nimmanhaemin Road, and the Night Market. Neither were worth writing home about (oh, too late!). But they are worth seeing, just to say I did. I have seen WAY too many Hill Tribe women peddling wooden frogs. These are carved frogs with ridges on the back, that you are to rub with another piece of wood, in a vain attempt to make it sound like a frog. I've heard frogs before (and eaten them too, yum), and they certainly don't sound like wood being rubbed against wood. Who buys this stuff?