Chiang Mai

I arrived in northern Thailand for the sunset and first took the time to choose my hostel at the airport. I decided on Green Sleep Hostel. In the center of the old town. Chiang Mai has an old town surrounded by water trenches and partly walls. It is connected to the rest of the city by many bridges. The weather in the evening was incredibly pleasant, estimated at 25°C and not humid. After checking in, I took the time to visit the recommended places by Steffi. She was in Chiang Mai a year ago and wrote down a lot for me. Acupuncture clinic, Thai massage, and yoga studio.

Since I landed at the airport, many travel feelings are slowly returning that I haven't felt in a long time. Alone among strangers. Contact and conversations only when I allow them. No obligations. Stepping outside the comfort zone. Wanting to get to know oneself and accept the gained insights. My wish is to channel all of this positively, so that it has an impact on my personality and I grow from it.

The first night in the 6-bed room was quiet. I went to bed early and even watched Netflix before going to sleep. I take the freedom. My first full day in Chiang Mai started with a standard breakfast with bread, jam, and fresh fruit. How I missed pineapple, watermelon, and mango. Then I went to Freedom Yoga with the free rental bike around 9:00 for my first class. You pay 7€ for the 1.5 hours with the 5 or 10 class pass. It was one of my first classes in English and the first exercise in a week. I need some time to get into it but will definitely stick with it.

I bridged the strong sunshine of the day with a nap after lunch before taking a longer walk to the neighborhoods around the old town. The climate is simply brilliant. When the sun is gone, it is slightly cool with a t-shirt and shorts. After the walk and fresh papaya with fresh passion fruit juice, food was on the agenda. Yesterday, when I arrived in the city, I observed the food market at the northern gate. Today I was right in the middle.

Since I don't like to eat alone and I want to work on myself. I sat down with Sebastian, who was waiting alone for his food. His girlfriend also came, she was just getting beer :-D I then ate my way through the market with the two of them and had a nice evening.

Thursday morning I started a bit slower. And since there were no bicycles available, I walked to explore the southern outskirts. Rather non-touristic with a lot of traffic. But also many street restaurants that prepared food for the upcoming lunch. If only I were more hungry to try everything. In the end, there was still a small animal market, where it is always difficult with enthusiasm. Compassion prevails, with every one of the 100 birds in cages or the little rabbits. My goal for lunch was a guided meditation on a donation basis. Steve, a bald 40-year-old from England (you would rather think he's going to the pub on the street), led the meditation. I managed to concentrate well on my breath, but I still felt my hips from the yoga the day before. Tonight I'm going to Yin Yoga and the night market. I want to see if I can get some cheap, unusual shoes for my bike tour.

I have now also booked my flight to Taipei on December 12th. After the little bike tour, I was done for. Air Asia will take me directly to Taipei…

Greetings to all