Remember that scene in Hunger Games when Catniss is sitting on a branch, bleeding from a wound on the leg, when suddenly this little parachute comes out of nowhere bringing her the tube of medicine a sponsor had sent her? Well I experienced something similar when pulling my backpack out of the baggage storage cabinet at the hotel this small box fell into my hands. It was a French, slightly weathered but brand new package of amoxicillin! Precisely what I need to fight off this nasty stomach bug that has been pestering me for several days now! (The baggage cabinet seems to have collected items left by various travelers over the years, so I don't feel bad for whoever left it behind a month ago).
I am still operating at only one fourth of my regular strength, but did my best to be a good tourist and wander the streets of Old Chiang Mai, which has become quite the mecca for tourists young and old. The temples shine in their gold trappings, inviting the passer by, the food stalls are colorful and tempting in their variety (for someone with a sound stomach that is), boutiques and antiques shops are everywhere, and all folks seem to be having a good time. It is very warm and humid, however, and that saps your strength in no time whatsoever.
I napped for a good time during the day, but in the early evening a couple of friends encouraged me to accompany them to a dinner-show at the cultural center, where things started with a beautiful buffet. I recoiled in horror but my friends encouraged me to get some nutrition in me (rice, vegetable soup, fried chicken, and fried pork skins - why not, let's live dangerously).
The show started with some percussion music led by a cool xylophone, grew into larger and larger drums, and was eventually put in the hands of some handsome and gracious ladies, who for one of the dances wore 6-inch long nails. Dances are slow and graceful, but there was a festival dance where they were joined by a goat (two people in the costume) that was quite lively.
My new friends like the idea of renting motorbikes and exploring the county, so we will do that tomorrow.
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