Chiang Mai, day 5

Ok, let's do this boring money thing first of all

meals 150 (invited one lady out) + 20 tip + 20 sweets = 190
2 beers 100
2 water, coke 39 baht

total is 329 6.70 (let's say 7)

Overall is 691 Euro


Today was a very interesting day at school. I am getting better and better and I think that I can do a good job with these massages. I will take some extra classes during the weekend and I might be back before the end of November if I find no job when back. In Chiang Mai, very soon, there will be the local mayoral elections and the roads are stuffed with the candidates to the office of mayor of the city. I am not sure about the effective powers of this role but, I assume, that this is a non-ceremonial role, looking at the effort supporters put in the placing (theirs) and removing (the other candidates') posters from the streets.

Yesterday, on the road outside my hotel there were some people removing all the number 6 and 7 and keeping the number 1 candidate ones. Today the number 1 had gone and a few number 6 were appearing.

The picture of the candidates are very particular to look at.

There is a young and handsome guy with big black eyes looking forward and you can see in his eyes three flashes. It seems like he had an idea or he had three ideas at least. I am sure young ladies will vote for Mr. Handsome. Sorry guys, I do not know their names as everything is written in Thai. There is a lady, the only one I have seen, that is, clearly, a Medical Doctor as she poses in her uniform with the stethoscope around her neck falling on her bosom. Not really too appealing, to be honest, but considering that Thailand, CM really, reminds me of Italy a few decades (around 40/50) ago, perhaps a doctor is a good and admirable profession and can attract favours of some classes. there is the man that is getting the blessing of an old lady. His head is lowered in sign of submission and respect. This picture looks as nice as false, I must admit, as it seems something done on purpose for the picture, actually, a picture taken out for the occasion. But, of course, I am sure that there is some meaning to that and probably the old lady is someone respected and not just his 80 years old aunt. The last one is a guy throwing a dart across the poster and this one hit the red and orange Bull's Eye. Gives the impression of accomplishment or straight to the target.

Who would I vote, just based on the posters?

I think I would vote for the only candidate that would do something to grant a bit more respect to pedestrians. No matter if is Mr. Dart, Mr. Hollywood Star or Mrs. Meredith Grey.

I have been meeting a few interested people, as I mentioned before and it seems like people from 30 to 50 coming here are all thinking to change or trying to understand what to do with their lives. For sure the people you meet here are not those who are in their comfortable 5 star hotels waiting for calls from a managing director to leave immediately with the first plane and go to Seattle or he will be fired... The people I meet here are ordinary people. People that struggle, that fight or even have given up fighting. People that are looking for their ways, people that are tired of the Club Med holidays and are tired of the direct Business Class flights. People here fart, burp, talk about sex and perhaps they even do it. they do not pass wind, perp, don't talk about intercourse and even less they do it. The people I am meeting during this trip are different from those I used to meet before, because "I" am different. I am not a 5 start traveller, I am a hostel traveller and I meet people similar to me. I am sure that in the expensive restaurants I see in the highly luxurious hotel, there are those I used to travel with until recently, but now, my friends, I am tired and whatever it was until now, will not be anymore. the Park Lane at Central Park was a nice experience but one night there it is not worth the 20 nights I would spend here for the same price. the 100 dollar breakfast for two is not worth the 80 baht breakfast you have here.

I love it, I think I found my way, the one I always wanted to find. It's just a matter of time but, for the time being, I am enjoying this status of budget backpacker and I will try to remain like this for a long long time in the future.

I am happy, I really am. Asia is always source of inspiration for me and even this time I have not been disappointed.

Hugs everyone! Talk tomorrow!