What we did: Muay Thai, trip planning
Budget: 1800B/$60; Spent: 2160B/$72
We returned to the corner restaurant for our breakfast this morning. There is something very comforting about returning to the same place and seeing the same people day after day. Chiang Mai has been one of the best parts of our trip and not because of the sights we've seen. I think we're beginning to realize that it's the people we meet on our trip that will inevitably have the greatest impact on us. And we have met some good people in Chiang Mai. It's amazing that simply signing up for one Muay Thai session could lead to this.
Before being driven to training this afternoon we went to buy more band-aids and anything else we could get our hands on to protect our feet. Anyone who has seen my feet has made a face of pure disgust. Patty's are not great either, but mine look like they're actually falling apart.
Patty worked with Long for most of the session, and then worked with Noi in the ring for the first time. Patty could tell Noi was used to working with the stronger, more experienced fighters and working with a beginner like Patty was new to him. Still, he was helpful, but didn't push her hard enough until right at the end. Patty was tired, though, and he could tell, so that could be why.
I worked with Perg once again. I'm not sure whether he enjoys working with me or just got stuck with me, but I'm happy that I've had a consistent trainer in the ring. I definitely feel like we've gotten to know each other and this helps a lot with training. Getting into the ring and doing the moves is always my favourite part, but it's also unfortunately the part that kills my feet. This is because one foot or the other twists when punching or kicking, and by the time I'm in the ring, near the end of the class, the tape on my feet is starting to slip away from the places its supposed to be protecting. The pain, at times, has been brutal, but honestly I'd do it again. It's just too much fun. That being said, it would be more fun if there was less pain!
We said 'good-bye' to Landon because he was leaving for the festival tomorrow to watch Mike and Alan fight. We also said 'bye' to Alan and wished him luck.
Went home and bought fruit shakes and kebabs. It was sad to think we would not be seeing Landon again. It really felt like our time here was coming to an end.
We Facebooked Jon to see if he wanted to meet up tomorrow for a drink so we could say 'good-bye' to him as well.
Tonight, we pinned down our itinerary for the rest of SE Asia: next up is Krabi in southern Thailand, then Cambodia (7 nights), Central Vietnam (10 nights), Bali (7 nights), Singapore (3 nights), New Zealand (18 nights), Kuala Lumpur (1 night). We will try to end in Bangkok so that we may have the chance to go back to Chiang Mai. We thought that would be an appropriate way to end off our tour of Asia.
Jon highly recommended we visit Loas, but unfortunately we're running out of time! I can't believe it. Eight months and we're running out of time. Unbelievable. Oh well, just another reason to return.
We decided to scrap Spain and instead travel to New Zealand because of an entirely rational appeal by my brother Chris. His email made so much sense to us that we nearly changed our minds on the spot. Simply put, we'll have plenty of opportunities in the future to travel to Spain or South America to improve our Spanish and learn Salsa, but we'll have far less opportunities to see New Zealand. True enough.
I have a sneaking suspicion Chris is living vicariously through us :)
A guesthouse worker named Claire talked with us most of the rest of the night. I think she's pretty bored. She's from France and her former boyfriend is part-owner of the guesthouse. He flew her here to help him with the business. I don't think she has a ton of work, but is expected to stick around the guesthouse most of the day. Importantly, she made us some waffles for free. Anyone who gives us free food is OK by me.
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