Chiang Mai Chaos: Sticky Rice, Stray Dogs, and a Whole Lotta Weird
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and the questionable street food here. 3996663… seriously, what even is that number? it just keeps popping into my head. and 1484223913 - don’t ask. it’s a vibe. the air’s thick, like 85% humidity, feels like 22.29 outside, and the pressure’s sitting at 1011. it’s…sticky. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
Chiang Mai. it’s… intense. like, aggressively intense. i landed yesterday and immediately got lost trying to find my guesthouse. it’s a maze of tiny streets, overflowing with scooters and the smell of lemongrass. i swear, every corner has a vendor selling something I don’t understand. i ended up grabbing some mango sticky rice from a street cart - it was glorious, but also slightly terrifying.
Speaking of terrifying, the dogs. so many dogs. fluffy ones, scruffy ones, ones that stare at you with unsettling intelligence. i’m pretty sure one tried to steal my water bottle. i’m not judging, honestly. they’re just…everywhere.
I’m staying in the old city, which is basically a giant, crumbling temple complex. it’s beautiful, but also feels like it’s about to collapse at any moment. my guesthouse is called ‘The Rusty Bucket’ - don’t let the name fool you, it’s actually pretty decent. the owner, Somchai, is a legend. he’s a retired drummer, which explains the slightly chaotic energy of the place. he keeps telling me to ‘feel the rhythm’ of Chiang Mai, which is…difficult to do when you’re battling a mosquito swarm.
Someone told me that the night bazaar is a must-see, but also that you’ll get ripped off if you don’t haggle like your life depends on it. i’m leaning towards the latter. i’m a terrible haggler. i just end up paying whatever they ask. it’s less stressful that way.
I stumbled across this little cafe called ‘The Green Leaf’ - it’s tucked away down a side street and serves the best iced coffee I’ve had in ages. it’s run by a woman named Anya, who’s a former yoga instructor. she’s super chill and keeps telling me to ‘find my center’ - again, difficult when you’re surrounded by motorbikes.
Someone overheard a group of backpackers saying that the waterfalls outside of town are worth the trip, but you have to be prepared for a seriously muddy hike. Apparently, the water is crystal clear, though. I heard that too.
I’m trying to document everything, but my camera is constantly overheating. it’s a struggle. i’m mostly relying on my phone, which is already threatening to die. i need to find a power bank. desperately.
Here’s my gear list, because apparently that’s what bloggers do:
Camera (mostly dead)
Phone (low battery)
Mosquito repellent (essential)
Sunscreen (obviously)
Flip-flops (for navigating the streets)
A healthy dose of skepticism
* A willingness to embrace the chaos
If you get bored, Pai is just a short drive away. It’s supposed to be super chill, with hot springs and stunning mountain views. I’m not sure I’m ready for chill yet.
I’m also trying to find some vintage clothes. i’m on the hunt for a really cool embroidered jacket. i found a place called ‘Threads of Time’ - it’s a tiny shop crammed with amazing finds. it’s a bit of a treasure hunt, but totally worth it. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g293917-Chiang_Mai_Northern_Thailand.html
I heard that the Sunday Walking Street Market is insane. like, sensory overload insane. i’m debating whether to brave it. i’m leaning towards ‘no’.
A local warned me about the tuk-tuk drivers - they’re aggressive and will try to overcharge you. Always negotiate the price beforehand. Seriously. Don’t be a sucker.
I’m starting to think i should just buy a scooter and drive around like a maniac. it seems like the only logical solution.
I’m going to go find some more mango sticky rice. and maybe a mosquito net. and definitely a power bank.
Check out this local board for events: https://www.facebook.com/ChiangMaiEvents/
Seriously, the humidity is a thing. it’s clinging to everything.
Okay, that’s it for now. i’m going to go lie down. and maybe try to figure out what 3996663 and 1484223913 mean. wish me luck.