The Long Journey to Chiang Mai:

“Ma’am, you can just walk right through. You’ve been pre-qualified.” I felt like I had won the lottery. It was like travel in the old days. Nothing to remove. Nothing to take off. Nothing to pull out. I just walked right through. An auspicious beginning.

I’m sitting here in LAX for four hours, waiting for the flight to Seoul then on to Chiang Mai. Seoul has special significance for my family. In 1960, my father lived in Seoul during his time as Secretary of the United Nations Peacekeeping force at the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the volatile line separating North and South Korea. My sister, Vreni, went to visit my father in Seoul and fell in love with the country and ended up staying long after my father returned home. She stayed so long, we were worried she wouldn’t come home. She did eventually come home, fluent in Korean and full of enchanting stories of Korean life and culture.

We’re in the air now, with 13 hours to go until we arrive in Seoul. Jami, in the row ahead of me, and I each have the unexpected good fortune of having the two seats next to us empty. We can lay our entire bodies lengthwise and get some real rest.

The Korean flight attendants are fascinating to watch with their flawless skin, tastefully done make-up, and impeccable politeness.

By the end of our long, 30-hour trip, I will have watched six movies—almost right in a row. Such a rare opportunity to indulge. The screen gives me a choice to watch in Korean, Chinese, French, or English.

At the Seoul airport we’ll be meeting up with two more participants, one of whom is Beth who used to be my neighbor at my co-housing community—The Commons. She’ll be coming from Hawaii.

In Chiang Mai, I’ll be 14 hours ahead of you. You will be in my past. I will be in your future. What a concept. But, as we’re taught by the enlightened ones, the past, present, and future are all one.

While you’re waiting to hear about my time with the elephants, here’s a link that I think you’ll find quite moving. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duSgIcEqUzQ Jami, leader of our small group, plays the cello to the elephants. You can watch the response of the elephants, one of whom moves his body in rhythm to the music.

Arrival:

We arrived close to midnight. As soon as I stepped out of the airport, an exotic, pungent smell wafts up my nose, smelling like spices mixed with humidity, along with a whiff of tropical plants and mildew. The taxi takes us to our lovely hotel, located right inside the walled part of the city, opposite a gilded temple.

We’re weary, but it’s hard to fall asleep, given that our bodies are 14 hours behind schedule.

Still in a daze from jet-lag, I got up and joined the others for breakfast on the hotel verandah, right on the edge of a busy street, full of activity, like Thai people going to the many temples to pray, or opening up their shops or stands on the sidewalks. There’s an interesting weaving of the holy and the mundane here. The ambience feels like a combination of India and Bali. The people are friendly and patient, with a ready smile or laugh. Somehow the language barrier doesn’t seem to pose much of a problem.

Half the group has arrived. The other half will arrive in two days. We came early to have a little time to get oriented before we dive in to be with the elephants. The four of us roam the city, soaking in the sights, smells and tastes. There are gilded temples every few meters along the streets.

Yesterday was night market which went on from the afternoon to well into the night. The streets were lined with vendors selling everything imaginable, but mostly crafts and clothing. In a line in the middle of the streets, spaces were reserved for elderly and disabled people so they could earn money by making Thai music using instruments that were unfamiliar to me, with a collection box in front of them.

Monday, December 7^th, 2015

Seven of the eight of us have arrived safely in Chiang Mai. The eighth participant will meet us tomorrow night after her flight from India where she has been involved in a health project.

After a leisurely breakfast on the verandah, we began our day at a well-known marketplace where just about anything could be found. Although I don’t want more STUFF in my life, I couldn’t resist some of the beautiful handmade clothing and artifacts.

From there, we headed off in a number of different directions, meeting at the end of the day for dinner. I did more exploring of the city.

And then I succumbed to the lure of famous Thai massages. I indulged fully in this luxury. I’ve had four massages so far, each about $6 per hour. And I even got a pedicure—without the toenail polish.

 Tuesday, Deember 8th, 2015

Three of us wanted to go to a hot springs out in the country, in a more jungle-like area, surrounded by mountains. We hired a driver and headed out of Chiang Mai. We had quite an adventure.

 On our way home we decided to take a little side trip to the Tiger Kingdom where young tiger orphan cubs are raised into adults. The project is supported financially by letting the public have some direct, but limited contact with the tigers, from the babies to the full grown adults. It’s been a dream of mine to hug a tiger. The fee was minimal.

We were famished by the time we got home. We found some delicious food to end our perfect day. 

Wednesday, December 9th, 2015.

The tour officially begins today. I’ll get back with you in a few days with lots of pictures you might enjoy. I can’t wait to be with the elephants!

Bye for now.

Erica