alloy mahk!!

today for the first time in all the my eight visits to thailand, i was able to order, politely, the food that i wanted and inquire to how much i owed after i was finished. the highlight in all of this was that i was understood through this complex tonal language. the waitress/cook laughed with joy at my knowledge. i giggled with relief knowing i wasn't as helpless (ie. ignorant) as i had been in the past. yay!
this delightful experience was a small sparkle in a tedious day of taking a 5 hour bus trip to the burmese border so that i might cross a bridge and turn around again to obtain another 1-month visa. this was my second 'visa run' ever and i decided to do it independently rather than pack myself into a sardine-style minivan along with several other farangs (foreigners). going on my own meant i could decide when to leave (5:15 am) and when to come back. after strolling through a near-by market filled with knock-off name brands and kids selling cigarettes and viagra to every passing tourist, i made my way back to the bus station and another toiling bus journey. next time, i'm going to laos. or indonesia.
life has been passing happily, albeit quickly, here in chiang mai. it's been much-needed social whirlwind for me as i connect, immerse and grow in the ever-evolving community. hanging out at the rasta bars and dancing to live reggae til 2 am feels good, too :)
gareth from korea has been in town for the past week and we've managed to get out climbing to crazy horse twice. the crag is spectacular with lots of overhung limestone routes, including some awesome multi-pitch routes with unbelievable views. i hope to get at least one more day with him before he leaves but the disappearing act pulled by my cellphone has made contact a little difficult. phone shopping is on the agenda tomorrow.