Mmmmm, so this is what the real deal tastes like!

After many days of fretting about my flight halfway around the world, being neurotic and researching the safest planes and companies (I have a slight fear of flying, only because it is the most unnatural and helpless position we can put ourselves in) I can solidly say that Singapore Air was one of the greatest experiences in the air I can imagine. Good 'ol Delta ain't gonna cut it any more... Hot face towels, great food, comfort, beautiful stewardessesand the planes were not in a dilapidated state. It was also fun to chase the sun west over Russia's tundra, then finally watching it set 11 hours later in Korea. A night in the Singapore airport was also quite comfortable with free reclining sofas and message chairs for us weary travellers to lay our heads without paying a dime.

My main mission to accomplish in my one night in Chiang Mai before heading out into the rural mountains where the Panya Project resides was to sample as much thai delight as possible. My first meal was a heaping plate of pad thai from a street vendor, oh for less than a dollar. This was my second splurge, a bowl of panang curry with the most savory and tender pork (at least I hope)! Of course they make all thai dishes a bit milder for us whities, but I was still sweating rivers after polishing off every last morsel. I also decided if I am to keep plucking away aimlessly at the guitar, it is better to have one in tow, than to just think about it and play the "air" guitar to my favorite songs. The owner of the guest house I stayed that first night in Chiang Mai spoke decent english and he had the perfect solution to my lack-of-guitar dilemma. Persuade the 15 year old neighbor boy to take me on his scooter to the local music shop. Off I go, zipping through the streets, no helmets, my life entrusted in just a youngin, on the back of a scooter to the music store across town. Lucky for me I had San San with me because he got me a screamin deal on a lovely guitar.... down from 3000 baht ( $88 u.s) to 2000 baht ($58 u.s)! Hopefully I will be able to play two songs by the time I return, versus the one I play over and over now.

Now, onward to Panya and the realm of new and holistic ideas and living examples of supportive, sustainable systems in nature!