On Monday we visit Chiang Mai University and Payap University. Some passionate and knowledgeable people. We are learning a lot from them: the city, the people, the ethnic groups, organic farming, sustainable living, refugees and their children, … Lots of opportunities. What is suitable for us? What can we do for them?
In between and after meetings, we do get a chance to have a glimpse of Chiang Mai. Some of us had been here before. For me, this is the the first time. All of us like the place. There are few high rises. There are traffic jams during rush hour, but not as bad as in Bangkok or many other Asian cities. The local people are friendly. There are a lot of non-Thai looking people who are probably tourists.
There are lilies floating in the moat surrounding what remains from the old city walls. Tranquil and peaceful looking. One of the few places in the city with reasonably broad sidewalks.
The kilometre-long night market in the old city is full of vendors and customers. Colourful and interesting merchandise.
Lots of foods. Including familiar-looking beetles.
Roasted pork belly is famous. The one we had was good. The skin both crispy and chewy.
Lots of electrical cables overhead, just like many other South East Asian cities. At dusk, birds congregate and gossip on the cables. If only I can understand what they are saying, I may learn something about the city.
Just a few steps away, a tranquil pond hidden from the main road behind a row of trees.
Chiang Mai is full of pleasant surprises.
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