Ups 'n Downs

An Odd Day at That……

Well it sure was. 

As I sit here at days end…I involuntarily started thinking of the past day and what one… 

would be hard pressed…not to possibly call…an odd day. What was odd you may ask? 

Well for one thing I spoke with a Real Estate girl who hopefully…will find the kind of 

Condo rental that I am looking for.

Yes it’s a small world. I say this because…just in passing I asked my friend and Immigration 

guy Tom…if he knew someone in Real Estate/Apartment finding etc.

Lo and behold… he did know someone…his sister J. 

I met her in his office and…after about a 15-minute meeting…she now knows what 

I desire in my forthcoming Condo.

After the meeting and…being that I was out anyway…I grabbed a “songteaw” and

headed a little north of Old Chiang Mai to look at a Cond-Hotel (yes you read that right)… 

with the dubious name of “Pacific Mansion” (and no I don’t know the reason for the name). 

Now I’ve done some homework and knew a bit of how the place looked.

I was also aware of the fact that…the Cond-Hotel was being updated. This was and is 

apparently…still true. 

After a short trip…I got to see the place and in a quick synopsis…not what I was looking for…

although the price was about right. Furthermore and according to the desk pu-ying (girl)…

the re-construction (uplifting) “should” be complete in 3 months. This translates from “Tinglish” [Thai/English] to “most likely” …6 months…with a lot of luck!

After a tiresome late morning/early afternoon run-around…I was ready for a bit of relaxation. 

Hey…retirement life is rough you know J.

So…after a quickie-stop off at Tesco-Lotus (another supermarket) I was back into a “songteaw” 

and shortly…back in my room.

Well…my in-room downtime didn’t last long as…‘ol mister stomach started complaining that 

he hadn’t been fed for a few hours…OMG J. 

OK…it was about that “food-refill-time” anyway but…I decided to take a short walk in a 

different than usual direction and…ended up about a kilometer away. This by the way…

is where the beginning of the “Night Market” takes place every evening. But…guess what….

Like the proverbial “Phoenix Rising” and…out of nowhere was….wait for it J…

…Burger King...

Yes my friends…you are reading right.

And not only Burger King…but McDonalds…Pizza Hut and Starbucks…each on an 

opposing corner [see how great American influence is]. Now I ask you…

Can one really resist and/or ignore this. I think not. J

Now those of you who truly know me…know that I would never enter those

“land of lard” doors of a burger joint. This is true!

…That is of course with the exception of today ‘cause today…yes todayyy…J

Burger King was “King and Winner”…and OHHH…SOOO…VERY…GOOOOOD J J

OK…so I was a BAAAD BOY! 

Hey once every decade or so I’m allowed…right? J

So…that was my day and tomorrow…well…we’ll see and…to be sure I will keep 

you apprised of the…Good…Bad and Ugly (well maybe not the ugly J and maybe not even…

the bad J).

The Weather…

Every time I speak to or receive an e-mail from somebody…

I can bet that (in one form of another) the word “weather” pops into the conversation. 

I guess this is normal…do to the fact that…most people will probably (at least the 

ones I know…) never visit Thailand. So with that in mind (OK calm down now…)

Here is the average weather report for this time of year in Chiang Mai…

[9am - 70F and sunny…forecast 85F - with possible mix of sun and showers and 

moderate humidity…(normal)…nice] J

Apartments again (thank goodness for the Internet)…

Lionel…is a newly arrived (or should I say transplanted Expat) friend of mine 

whom I had mentioned in an earlier Blog…went apartment hunting. During one of 

our talking sessions he mentioned the “agency” he is working with re: his hunt.

So where…you may be wondering…might I be going with this?

Well...Lionel gave me the agency’s card and…yes…I had mentally planned 

on visiting them today.

Now when I plan on something…I usually end up “actually” doing what I planned but…

there sitting quietly on my desk was my ‘ol faithful laptop. At this point I thought…

being that I am not actually ready to move and…if worst came to worst I can always 

extend my stay in my resent digs…then where pray tell…am I rushing too? So…

down I sat and ended up at the online site…of the same agency…that

Lionel recommended.  I’m glad I did this…because I found at least 10 probable 

and viable apartments…in a fairly wide price range but…within my range…

got it? Good! J

And now it’s time for me to boogie and get some fresh air. 

And be amongst the denizens of Chiang Mai J

Coming to a screeching halt!

I had planned on ending this particular Blog entry with either…something mundane or 

uplifting. This however seems inappropriate...do to what is happening in Bangkok and 

many many surrounding areas.

The following is a link with many photos. Unfortunately all the comments are in Thai…

as this is a FB page of a Thai friend. You will however…get a very good idea without 

the comments. That said…about half way through and…as the photos age there are less 

and less flood pics. However if one wants a glimpse into Thai life…

the older pics within the link…will give a very good encapsulated look.

I would say enjoy the pics but…there is nothing uplifting or enjoyable about any of this.

In fact this "fiasco" is NOT over yet as more flooding is expected!

Here is the link…(you'll need to cut 'n paste)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150380168482855&set=a.381659187854.161370.328167122854&type=1&theater

BTW…if anyone feels compelled to say a prayer or even mentally send good thoughts 

to the affected peoples…feel free to do so as any and all is appreciated.

Until next time…

The FEEL of Things J J

Finally…finally…finally.

After too many years I found a place to get a massage… and WOW what a

massage it was (no not what you’re thinking either).

However before I get into the massage stuff I need to clarify “finding” a

massage place.

You see Chiang Mai has literally hundreds of massage places. Most…

as you can well imagine are good but…like anything else in our world…

there are always a few that don’t “quite make the grade”. This brings me

back to my search.

Even though there are untold numbers of locations that one can get a

Thai massage…most are either located in an open-ended store or

literally "falling" outside the establishment...or outside on the street 

altogether. This is definitely not “my cup of tea”.

Now before I continue…a word about prices.

When I last lived here a few years ago…the price of an hour Thai massage

was somewhere in the vicinity of 100 to 150 Thai Baht. Keep in mind that I’m 

talking primarily in the confines of Old Chiang Mai which by the way is a 

“tourist area”…hence higher prices. Today that same one-hour Thai massage 

ranges from 150 to 200 Thai Baht ($4.85 to $6.50) or higher...

for a Spa type environment.

Now back to my find J.

As I was walking on one of the main streets surrounding the moat...I

passed by a massage parlor (one that I’ve passed many times before)

and being that they weren’t open and I had a couple of things I needed to do…

I promised myself that tomorrow…I would return and treat myself.

Well tomorrow arrived and since the Massage Parlor opened at 11 a.m. and 

of course I was early...I tried to keep myself busy (not easy). Now one needs to 

keep in mind that most that businesses in general are opened 12 hours per day 

7 days per week. Also keep in mind that "posted hours" are usually “suggestions”….

get the picture? J. 

Anyway…Finally…the time came and my waiting was definitely “Not In Vain!”.

I opened this Blog with a WOW and I repeat myself….WOW J. 

Madara Massage is everything one 

in Thailand could want and or expect 

in a Thai massage establishment. 

The place is comfortably cool…the 

massage pads and mats are comfortable 

and closed-off too all surroundings by

sound deadening curtains. To enhance 

ones experience…just the right type of 

soothing eastern massage music 

envelops you.

My Thai Masseuse? Well I later found 

out she was employed as a Thai Masseuse 

for all of three (3) months but…one would 

never have guessed as she did an excellent job. 

At the end of the hour…my body was screaming for moreJ… moreJ…more J. 

But wait...as it wasn’t over yet.  Post-massage…

I was offered a cup of green tea and a few cookies (too ehhh….rejuvenate oneself) J

All the above cost me THB200 plus a 20 Baht tip (by the way tipping is

definitely NOT expected) so…even though the 20 Baht is a paltry 65 cents…

she was thrilled.

All told the hour massage cost 220 Thai Baht or about a bit over 7 bucks. J J

By the way….yours truly will be returning to Madara Massage and Kathai 

(pronounced Kah ta-eee) my masseuse...every week hence .

Meeting New People….

Since I’m “in-country” as a sort of “newbie” it helps to widen ones’ friend base.

In this case my friend TC in Cuenca, Ecuador suggested I look up a friend of

his in Chiang Mai (proves this is indeed a small world)…which is exactly what

I did. Now being that TC is (or was) in the entertainment field it came as no

surprise to me that Tom (ta-daa) is also in entertainment. In his case (Tom)

is (was) a professional “global” magician/clown. Needless to say…

Tom is now living in Chiang Mai and yes...he gets to show off his talent or

“schtick” with me as the audience? J J

After a misunderstood meeting place…Tom and I  finally caught up with each 

other. Like I mentioned many times in previous Blogs…friends are an important

factor in life but especially…for single Expats such as myself!

So yes…I’m glad I met Tom (thank you TC) and hopefully our budding 

friendship will continue to blossom. In either case we lunched together at one 

of the main shopping malls here in the Old City and killed a few hours of…

just another day as retirees J.

When it rains it pours…

So now that my list of “new” friends has at least started…well…

the list keeps on a growin’.

I had met Lionel briefly in Cuenca. Well Lionel is now...in Chiang Mai and in fact 

living in the same Hotel/Guesthouse that I am currently occupying. So…I have 

someone to show the “ins ‘n outs” (teacher that I am J) of this town.  

Lionel is (as too be expected) not sure if he is in fact going to stay in LOS as...

this is a completely new and alien environment for him. Anyway…time will tell and 

for the moment…like I mentioned earlier I’m somewhat of a guide to Mr. L J

Anyway my friends…that’s ‘bout all for now from the other side of the world J. 

Until next time…enjoy…enjoy…enjoy J J

Moving Update: 

Unfortunately…it ain’t happenin’. At least…not to the previously mentioned location. 

Apparently…the woman that was going to rent the place to me is being forced to leave 

her current address (where she also has her Law Practice) and…

needs her house for her personal/business use. 

Oh well…easy come easy go and…the search continues.

In a way...I’m happy as I really did not want to be located so far from 

Chiang Mai City proper…so I’m looking at this in a positive light J. 

Woman...Food & A Roof Over Ones Head

The PRIM thing…

On again…then off again…but not sure. Now…maybe on.

As of our last on-line contact today (Oct 4)…it seems she lost her cellphone.

Anyway looks like things may get back on whatever track things may have been on.

We’ll see!

Otherwise things are basically at a standstill. Being sans motorbike (i.e. wheels) makes things

a bit harder. However I am getting a good bit of exercise via walking…

which BTW is a good thing! I do however have my eye on a somewhat expensive 

(for Thailand) toy i.e motorbike.

 

…after all one needs to have a way to get around town and it’s environs.

Food.

What can I say that I haven’t already said in the past?

I AM LOVIN’ IT!                     

After Ecuador with (on average) its bland uninspiring food… my mouth and yes…

the rest of me is…how can I put this…ecstasy might be a bit much as a descriptive word but…

damn close too it J.

Along this same train of thought i.e. food…the abundance of Thai restaurants 

(plus whatever type of food one may desire) in Chiang Mai (and I’m assuming 

country-wide) is mind-boggling. That said…they are ALL good. So fear not…

if and or when you come to visit or stay here…finding affordable (if not downright cheap) 

food is definitely “not a hardship”. Keeping in mind that the average Thai restaurants 

as a whole…are nothing to look at. However (at least as I see it)…one does not go to a 

restaurant in Chiang Mai…solely for its ambiance. Yes…you can find upscale restaurants 

and yes…they have good Thai food along with the high-end look and high prices 

(some might even rival the higher prices of first world standards). 

That said…personally…give me a small local restaurant (some may even go so far as to 

call it a “dive”) without any of the aforementioned “ambience”…and I can almost assure 

you that…your taste buds will be…happy happy happy J J.

To give you an idea of what I am trying to convey to you…the following is what I had 

for lunch on this average day. Yes it was simple…

in a non-descript restaurant and ohhh so very good J :

One bowl of "Kao Soy Moo" (pronounced…cow soy moo) which is (and you have your 

choice of meats) soup with minced or sometimes sliced pork…fried thin noodles…

soft noodles (think wide(ish) pasta) in which one adds…wide-sliced onions and …

not sure of the name but...it’s a green vegetable. This goes into your soup and according to 

your taste…one would also add various spices that are placed on the table 

(add a little at a time ‘cause you may be adding some really heavy spices and not know it).

In addition to the "Kow Soy Moo" was…

One dish of  “Morning Glory” which is an actual green “thin leafy” plant. 

Nuts and other spices are added and of course one can always add the provided table spices…

as I did. This on top of some white rice…yummyJ

Normally I would have had a beer with lunch but today was bottled water…which by the way…

actually complimented the other dishes in a cleansing sort of way.

Cost for this delicious and I might add…healthy lunch was THB90 or US$2.89.         

No tip and NONE expected (another plus)J

MOVING (One Mo’ Time J)

After listening to my friend Vivien (of Vivien & Roger) and…she setting this up…

well today I looked at a house (yes I said house) for rent in a neighborhood that can only 

be called “an outlying area” of Chiang Mai City. The area is known as Hang Dong 

(that’s pronounced Haang Daahng).

This is similar but a lot more upscale…compared to the last place I lived in during my 

previous years in Thailand. 

The house is in a “manned gated-community” and is two levels with marble and wood 

(depending on the room) floors, lots and lots of windows providing an open-air look...

two (2) kitchens (one Thai style)...3 bedrooms…3 baths… a good size living room and 

dining room, an open office area…storage area…balcony off master bedroom...

a decent sized grassy area surrounding the house with a covered patio for BBQing and a 

covered car-park…and it’s furnished (nicely).

The Moo Bahn (village) also has available and free to all residents...a swimming pool and

an enclosed physical fitness area.

Being that Vivien is good friends with the owner (a Thai attorney)…well she talked her 

into reducing the rental price from THB20,000 p. mo to THB10,000 p. mo. That’s…

$647.00 down to $323.00 a month with by the way...no deposit or security payments.

The carrying cost...of course excludes electric and water which carries an approximate

 price tag of maybe $20 bucks for the month. Internet and cable prices are an unknown 

factor…at this point but is “not” exorbitant.

So…yes…even though it’s further from town that I would like…

I’ve decided to take it J.

At first I said I would move in on or about the 18^th of this month however…after thinking a bit…

I’ve decided to wait until the beginning of next month (November) J 

This way I don’t have to feel rushed as…I think...being "rushed"...

is against the law in Thailand J J J

That’s ‘bout it for now folks so...until next time…enjoy the moment J