Field Report 1:
Thailand - December 13, 1998

By Jeff Bell
 

Hi folks,

I'm in a little place in Chaing Mai in the North of Thailand. In about 20 minutes I've got to be back at my hotel to leave on a 3 day, 2 night trek into the mountains, including some elephant riding and sleeping in some huts in a couple of villages.

Chaing Mai is wonderful. It is quiet and peaceful and the pace of life is something that is very difficult to describe. At the same time, the bars and shops are put together in a very neat and appealing way. Very comfortable and inviting. Last night Michael and I played pool in a very low key place and the table itself was better than any table I've played on in the U.S. Interesting contrasts. The people are so friendly and mix with the tourists as opposed to the standard foreigner hangouts you usually see. This town is a great contrast to the crowded craziness of Bangkok.

I picked up a guitar for $90 in Bangkok which sounds great and managed to put together the skeleton of a tune which I like (about Bangkok), plus plenty of writing of bits and pieces of stuff for lyrics. It's only been four days or so, but it seems like a lot longer.

Bye for now!
Jeff
 

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