In the last few weeks I have decided to stay in Chiang Mai for awhile. This is for a number of reasons;
I feel very comfortable here, the people, lifestyle, climate and cost make it a great place to spend time. This is a round the world trip but as I do not need to be anywhere for anything particular at anytime why not spend time here. I always knew that I would stop at places I like on the way. After all it is a great way of learning about a culture by living and experiencing it. Also, I had every intention of doing charity work whilst travelling and currently I'm doing some football coaching for Agape (see www.nikkisplace.org). Agape is an orphanage for kids who's lives are affected by HIV. The kids are wonderful and put everything into playing football, including the girls. I'm very pleased to be able to contribute to the work being done by Agape because without them the kids wouldn't stand a chance - check out the story of Nikki on the web site. Some of the disaffected teenagers in the West would benefit from spending some time there.
As well as Agape, I'm doing some football coaching for the Prem Centre (www.premcentre.org) a posh international school in an area called Mae Rim. Its a stunning setting surrounded by mountains and small traditional Thai villages. Currently I'm coaching 14-17 year old boys and girls on a Tuesday and Wednesday but early next year when the new term starts I will be helping coach all 8 Prem teams (4 girls and 4 boys of varying ages). Again great fun and very satisfying work. All the students are from middle to upper class backgrounds and are well disciplined and nice - which is what you would expect from young people with those backgrounds. Prem already have academies for tennis, golf and cricket (of all things) and are keen to start a football academy which they have expressed an interest in my involvement. This will be fun and rewarding work if it comes off.
I'm currently living in a very nice condo, with my own kitchen, bedroom and balcony that overlooks mountains all round - see photos. It only takes 8 minutes from the condo to the centre of town but its nice and quiet. I'm usually woken at 6.40am sharp to the sounds of birds and a cock crowing - great way to start the day. The climate is terrific - its now the winter but every day has long hours of sunshine accompanied by temperatures in the late 20's- early 30's, but at night the temperature falls to around 15-20 degrees. So, at night you have to wear a jacket - tough I know. During the rainy season that runs from April to September the weather can be a bit hot and humid but still preferable to the UK's climate. The air is so bright as well compared to the grey of the UK.
I've bought myself a small honda electric blue motorbike - yes I'm now man on bike - and have adopted the motorbike riders habits of weaving, nipping in, out and around traffic and can only reflect on my motoring days when I resented bike riders ability to do that. I missed the whole bike thing when I was a teenager so I'm a bit wobbly and uncoordinated at the moment but have managed to avoid any major incident.
With the pound being so weak against most currencies its not a time to be spending as all my dosh is in the UK. A month ago you could get 60 Thailand baht to the pound but its now down to 50 baht. Hell of a drop. My property in Todmorden was not rented until October and as I left the UK in May have missed out on nearly 6 months of rent. Put a bit of a dent into my travel budget that did. So, I need to save a bit of dosh before considering moving on again and Chiang Mai is a great place to do that from.
So, my days are spent enjoying the sunshine, smiles of the people, relaxing, reading, coaching, seeing loads of wonderful scenery (Chiang Mai is surrounded by beautiful mountains), watching and playing sport, having conversations with interesting people, eating well, 3 visits to the gym a week (my weight has now gone down to 72kgs - it was 80kg in the UK). As there is a large contingent of westerners, generally I feel like this is just one long extended holiday.
The UK at the moment sounds rubbish, with the grotty weather, recession and financial decline but I feel somewhat immune here as though I'm not involved, just a spectator. I know this is not true as my money is in the UK but it's better for me to be here than fretting sitting in the cold of a Todmorden winter.
Thai people speak very good English but I do have every intention of taking lessons in Thai so at least I know when I'm being sworn at.
You have probably been hearing about troubles in Bangkok, but here in Chiang Mai we are not affected at all. The people have to decide whether they want a democracy and let the majority dictate through elections who should have power. Or, do they want a military dictatorship. That's the choice. The problem seems to be that the protesters are unwilling to accept that the current legislation were elected by the majority and just want their own man in power.
I have been supporting and occasionally playing for the Farangutans. A team of expats from Switzerland, Poland, Canada, France and of course the UK. We play in various competitions against local teams with mixed fortunes, some wins and some losses. We do find that the Thai referees are very biased against us and do give some frustrating and totally incorrect decisions. But, its fun and they are a good bunch of lads.
