Chaing Mai, Doi Suthep Temple and cute moment… (part 2 of 3)

We spent half a day touring Doi Suthep (the temple on the mountain). If you’re touring this, I suggest not taking a tuk-tuk truck up. The road is winding, winding, winding, and in the back of a covered truck, even holding onto rails, you get a little sea-sick swaying around in the back. Opt for a daily moped rental (1/2 the price of the tuk anyway) and more chances to stop and soak up the scenery with less quesiness. Doi Suthep was very impressive and the views awe-striking. The camera just can’t capture the height and depth and color from 3,500 ft. We even got lucky-blessed bracelets from a Buddhist monk in one of the temple areas. Well, I got a one from the Buddhist monk, Christina had to get one from his side-kick, "no ladies in the Monk’s line please", nothing like a little discrimination in the world’s churches. We both thought of our loving sister Krista at this moment and how the next day’s headlines might have read “Buddhist Monk tackled by Feminist Westerner in attempt for string bracelet”, It’s ok Sis, it’s just the way it is here, dohhhhhhh. On a side note, we did have to walk on our knees the length of a good size room to get to the little place where they were putting on the lucky bracelet strings, damn that hurt on marble floors!!!!

Christina at Doi Suthep, gettin her Karma on.

Official Buddhist Monk cotten string :)

Maybe one of the funniest moments was the tiny little girl dressed in authentic celebratory clothing on the steps leading up to the temple. You basically tipped her a bit of money (or a lot) and you could snap your picture with her. Let’s just say this is the hardest working woman in Chaing Mai, and quite possibly the best money making scheme I’ve ever witnessed. You just couldn’t resist, and the kid was a pro, she’d tickle your ear to get you to smile right at picture time. Christina was a bit jealous when she found out about the ear tickling, but it was quite a moment. She couldn’t have been more than 3 years old and adorable. Nothing wrong with a little child labor I always say.  Absolutely every traveler fell for her and her sisters as well. Mom was clever figuring out this income earner for the family. People were pouring baht ($) into their hands, anxious to get a pic. We watched them a while and even found the little girls had a “break” area, where they’d go freshen up their powdered faces and put on more lipstick, absolutely hilarious. We called them “the workin girls of Chaing Mai” after that. No selling chicken on a stick happening in that family. Very touristy thing to do, but just had to.

getting spiffy for the tourists

the only other girl allowed to tickle Todd's ear

More on Chaing Mai coming…..(including a Thai Boxing knockout on video)