The Long Road Home.....

Yesterday as I left my bungalow on Don Det Island I took my first steps towards the 3 day journey back to California.
I got up around dawn walked to a small boat that took me to the mainland to a Tuk Tuk that took me to a bus that drove me to Pakse, Laos to catch a plane the next day to Bangkok where I will catch another plane the following day for the 22 hour flight home. I had already turned my bike back in to the rental agency as I did not need it on the island as there are no roads on the island.
Leaving Laos is not an easy proposition. The beauty of the land, the smiles of the people, the laid-back atmosphere that pervades their culture, the incredible tribal influences everywhere, the great food, the smell of woodsmoke, the sounds of roosters crowing, the greetings of "sabai dee" from everyone you pass, the little old ladies with their beetle-nut stained teeth and child-like grins, the children always playing so well with one another,the simple way of life in the many ways seems so much fuller than all of our "developed" ways, the friendliness of everyone....

Laos was a dream of mine that came true beyond what I could have expected.
I have seen things that I never imagined existed and learned things that I wish were not true (America's secret war). I still have more to explore in this country. Its way bigger than it looks on the maps and getting around is a lot harder than I thought it would be. But just to be here is a constant revelation- a reminder about slowing down, taking the time to talk to your neighbors, to hug and play with your kids, to eat good food everyday, to enjoy just being............

Feeling blissed and blessed.

Thanks for following my blog and for your comments and emails.
They kept me company on those many days and nights alone in this country very far away.
I will have one last post once I get home.
Blessings,
Jefe

Sometimes you have to go thru Hell to get to Heaven.

Siphondon, Laos, 4000 Islands

It's been a while since my last post as I have been away from anything remotely resembling civilzation. I am in the Four Thousand Islands, this amazing place at the southern tip of Laos on the Cambodian border. Literally, thousands of islands where the Mekong spreads out to 14 Km. Some inhabitied, others small and uninhabited. I am on this island called Don Det. I have a 2 dollar bungalow right on the river watching amazing sunrises as the villagers start their day. Idyllic.
This in my book is heaven. Coconut palms, uber-mellow vibe, great food, costs just about nothing to be here. This is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Truly.
But getting here shall we say was HELL!
I took a detour east in South Central Laos towards the Vietnamese border to do this motorcycle ride I had heard about called the Loop. I think what they meant to call it was "Loopey" cause by the end of the first day I was spent, tired, aching, hurt, and feeling totally exhausted. And I had another 3 days to go before I completed the loop.
The problem was the condition of the road or should I say the condition of the lack of road. And again, the maps that I had were completely wrong but I was used to that part and if I got lost no big deal. But the road was designed by the Devil himself who was having a bad day. The issue is they are building a big dam project here and as the water is flooding the valleys the roads get swallowed and they build these temporary ones that truly suck. All the villages have been relocated so there is no one and there is this uneasy feeling of watching these beautiful jungles disappear as the water fills them in. Kind of like watching a patient slowly die.
At one point on this bumpy, pot-hole, cobblestone-encrusted path to nowhere I see my front end of the bike disappear down a hole, I go flying over the handlebars only to see the front end reemerge so I am now heading into the handlebars, then the back end hits the hole and I am now popping a wheely going backwards off the bike, back end comes back up and now I am off the pegs with my feet dragging the ground-ouch rock, ouch root, BIG OUCH bike peg into my leg. But I am still upright and with my road mantra still intact the rubber is facing down. I finally come to a stop. Ok. Regroup. Assess body. Lets see, no head injuries, aching calf not bad. No bleeding. Bike is not spewing gas everywhere and about to blow. Walk it off Mogalian. Here I am truly in the middle of nowhere. I haven't seen another person or vehicle in hours and I am lucky that I can continue with an intact bike and body. OK slow my ass down and keep going. Finally, after a whole day of this I reach a town that is supposed to have a guest house. I get to it and the young boy say "No guesthouse. Finish". SHIT! Ok, so where is the next guest house, young man,I ask in my best Lao I can speak from my phrasebook? Fifty seven kilometers more. OK. just 57 Km more of hell.
Well to make a long story a bit longer, I safely make it to the guest house in a town called Lak Xao where I grab a bite and then pass out immediately only to be woken to the late night pounding of construction going on next door until midnight. Arrrgh!! Will this day never end? They finally wrap things up around 12am and I fall into an uneasy sleep.
Not my greatest day ever and one for the record books.
The next day was actually not as bad as the views supersceded the hell of the road and I made pretty decent time to Ban Na Hin where I was able to stay with a local family in what is called a Homestay. That is where a local family puts you up for the night, provides dinner and breakfast and you get to hang out in a small village for as long as you like.
That was a great experience. And for dinner? Rice, veggies, some fish and Bar- b- qued Rat soup. No shit. Tasty, in a unique and rodent-like way. Nothing else compares to it that I have had so far. The meat was tender and the soup was spicey and Oh that unique flavor of rat. I get now what my cat Lucy has been enjoying all these years.
It just seemed to add to the overall gestalt of a couple days descent into hell.
But that was what I had to do before getting to heaven here in the 4000 Islands.

My best attempt at being Anthony Bourdain (forgive me Tony)

Today's istallment will be solely on the food of SE Asia (thanks Chas).
My cooking class I took in Luang Prabang really introduced me to what the flavor combinations are here in Lao.
The most commons spices used in Lao are kefir lime leaves, basil (2 kinds), fish sauce, garlic, spring oninons, galanga. ginger, lime, chilis,coriander, fried onions, MSG(!), and sugar. I will be happy to tell you what I learned and how to use all of these ingredients when I get back home.
To keep things easy we will go in order of what you eat and when during the day.
Breakfast
There are plenty of options here and with the French influence in SE Asia some are quite good like bagettes and decent coffee but what do the locals have?
Noodle Soup. It's sort of like Viet Namese pho but different and called feu. "Same same but different" as they say here. It is the perfect meal early in the day: light, filling, full of flavor,highly energizing, easy to digest, does not slow you down and it makes bacon and eggs seem so boring. I love to sit down on these plastic chairs as some sidewalk noodle shop and eat with the locals who are all eating noodle soup. Ok, I'll admit it. I am completely, totally,unashamedly, and throughly addicted to this stuff for breakfast. I think I have had eggs once since being in Asia and the rest of the time it's noodle soup.
Oh yea, the cost for a huge-steamy-bowl-almost-more-than-you-can-finish- 90 cents.

Lunch
Lunch can really vary from where you are in the country. Options include noodle soup again (sure, I'll have another, this time with duck, please) to awesome sandwiches from street side vendors again on bagettes with mayo, tomato, cucumber,onion and your choice of meats or omelet. Good stuff and great for travel on a motorcycle. Get one in the morning eat it along the way. Fried rice and fried noodles with veggies, egg, chicken, or beef are popular and very good. Cost on these items about $1.50.
I should also mention that here in Laos sticky rice is really the most eaten item as it is served with most dishes.

Snacks
The BEST fruit shakes on earth are here in Laos. Great fruit overall with coconuts, mangos, pineapple, banana, dragon fruit mixed in anyway you want chilled with ice then blended. ADDICTING TOO! 50 cents.
The streetside foods are really great. Fresh and hot so I think reasonably safe to eat. Chicken sticks are really one of my favorites. The Lao chickens are skinny and scrawny and really tasty. Cost $1
The locals like these baby dried squid, thrown on a grill for a few minutes to soften and then eaten. I tried one- a bit chewy for me.

Dinner
Wow the options are endless. Great bar b que chicken, pork, fish stuffed with lemongrass then packed with sea salt and grilled on an open fire. OK I'll have two of those, please.
Actually, the fish, which is freshwater here in this land-locked country is maybe one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. Most people who have this also agree. Cost of the fish $2-3 each.
Western meals are offered in the bigger towns but I am avoiding them. You know when in Lao do as the Laotians do. The worst meal I had, in fact, was a plate of speghetti that tasted like noodles with ketchup. So much to for going western here in the east. There are some highly rated restaurants in the bigger towns serving high end cuisine but I am choosing to eat more locally most of my meals.
OK. I will admit it. I had one hamburger. And it was great! OK, Got that off my chest...phew.
Out in the off-road back country away from the main roads the foods get pretty simple. Mainly, sticky rice with a delicious dipping sauce and not much more. Meats are available but I think those are for special occasions.

Weird shit

Ok now comes the fun stuff. Weirdest things I have eaten:
Fried worms
Bar B Qued Sparrow (tastes like canary)
Bar b qued water buffalo skin(tastes like bacon with the consistency of shoe leather)
Water Buffalo soup with chunks of wood that when you eat the outer bark it tastes good and makes your lips go numb

Things I have seen but not eaten nor will ever eat thank you very much (sorry Bizarre Foods guy on cable)
Bar b qued Rats UDATE : Ok I ate BBQ'd rat in a soup. Hmmmm... a little weird.
Fried rats
Bar b qued Bats
Possum
moles
hamsters skinned and ready for the barby
Bags of cow blood and cow bile ( now really, what do you do with cow bile?)

The food here in Laos is much better than I was lead to believe. Thai food still dominates in flavor combinations and and overall creativity. But the Lao food is more subtle and relies on the freshness of the ingredients without trying to overpower with too many nuances of flavor. I love Thai food but I am really appreciating Lao food now too. And that fish stuffed with lemongrass ranks up there in my top 10 of greatest foods ever. May need to put that on my restaurants menu when I get back and call it LaoMex or Mexilao pescado or something like that.
Ok off to bed so I can wake up to some noodle soup to start my day, mmmmmm ..........

Lost in Laos and Loving it....

Today on my motorcycle I got really lost.
And it was fantastic. I ended having one great moment after another.
It seems like when you truly let go and simply go with the flow that is when the magic happens.
Getting a good bike has proved impossible so I have decided to overland to the various spots I want to get to and get a bike there rather than going the very long distances on the shit Chinese motorcycles they offer here.
I was under various impressions that decent bikes do exist here in Laos but I haven't seen them yet. Maybe in Vientiene.
Either way, today I was on a chinese-made something or other bike and headed off west from Vang Vien where I am staying for a few days.
They also lack decent maps in this part of the world but any map is better than none right? Nope! My map lead me to places I could tell from the locals reactions that I may have been the first westerner ever here and I know they are telling all their friends of this crazy "falang" coming through their village.
As I got deeper and deeper along this dirt track full of pot holes chickens, ducks, pigs, cows, kids and other obstacles I was realizing that everyone I saw was getting friendlier and friendlier. Lots of waves and smiles so I knew I was a novelty here.
Ok. I am lost. Novelty or not.

But what a place. What beautiful people. Awesome views. Perfect weather. I'm OK.
I come across these villagers out in their rice fields separating the rice from the stalk and they wave and invite me to help. Of course I will help. Isn't that what Americans do around the world? So they hand me a shovel and off I go throwing the rice in the air while another guy fans it to get rid of the shaft. Great fun. We all laughed. I got some work done. Everyone was happy.
Off I go and come across one of the cutest little girls I have ever seen. I ask to take her picture. She shakes her head no. I bow, give a little prayer sign "please" she agrees and here is a winning picture that occurred minutes after the rice work.
In the zone.......
Since the day was getting later by now and having no clue where I am I ask a local for the direction back to Vang Vien. He points that way. I go that way and sure enough I eventually make it back.
A perfect day. Completely lost and just where I needed to be.

My Birthday on the Plain of Jars

Today is my birthday and I got to celebrate it on the Plain of Jars, Phonesavanh, Laos,
The Plain of Jars is this amazing 2-3000 year old archeological site in North eastern Laos. It is a place I have wanted to get to for many years.
I am feeling so blessed today to be here.
The journey here was certainly not easy. The roads are a lot worse than I thought they would be in this part of Laos.
But aside from too many twists and turns, an aching back, sore butt, wind-whipped skin, I feel great to be alive and completing one more turn around the sun.

Reflecting today, I realise I have made some progress in the clarity that I seek in myself as a person, father, friend, son, boss, brother and world citizen.
Being solo on this trip- without any of my comforts of home- friends, family, cat, house- I get to really check in with Jeff. I realized that, heh, I like me.I am alright. I am a good person who really gives a shit about things. I am a great ambassador for us Americans out in the world. Sure, I make my share of mistakes and I am certainly one who benefit from a bit of humility but overall I think my contribution to this planet and the people that surround me is really positive.
I feel so blessed with what the gods and goddesses have offered me in this life. A life so full of abundance.
I am so grateful for the amazing friends and family I have in my life.
I hope to continue on the journey of life- making those who touch me that I, too, touch in a special way.
I really want to focus my life on making the world a better place. Being here in such an undeveloped country really makes you understand what we have and what others don't have.
Overall, I feel good about where I am and where I am going in my life and those that surround me are the juice that makes me who I am.
I truly give thanks for the gifts that I have and if you are reading this right now you are one of my greatest gifts.
Love to all,
Sabai dee
Jeff

Ok off to drink some lau lau with some Aussie friends.

Some random photos

One of the cutest kids ever at his mothers street side restaurant

Hmoung hill tribe women
Tasty, tasty bar be que available everywhere














Prayers are a daily part of most peoples routine.
Been making it a part of mine too.

What they say about Laos.

A beautiful saying I have read about Laos is:

The Vietnamese plant the rice
The Cambodians watch the rice grow
The Laotians listen to it grow

I think I am discovering that about Lao. The people here are extremely soft, gentle, quiet and friendly and with a bow will make sure you are alright.
I am still in Luang Prabang as I have once again found a place very difficult to leave.

The town is set on a peninusula between 2 rivers the Mekong and the Kham. Essentially a jungle setting along river banks.
The vibe here is uber-laid back with great food and great surrounding areas.
The morning markets are a feast to your senses selling everything from fish and chicken to roasted rats and water buffalo bile. Some things are hard to imagine what the hell they do with it but who am I but a farang(foreigner) trying to grasp another culture. I am trying to remain open to trying things I would normally not try and the water buffalo jerkey was actually quite tasty.

One of the unique features of Luang Prabang is the town closes up by midnight and you are expected to be in your place that you are registered ie. your guesthouse by midnight. Basically, they have a curfew for everyone. In some ways, I am OK with that as it keeps the quietness of the town intact and reduces the party atmosphere that would be happening considering that tall beers cost 1 dollar and cocktails are 2 dollars so drinking is really cheap here.


Went out of town to this fabulous waterfall about 36 km away.
It was awesome and in the areas that you could go swimming to cooling water washed away all the road grime I have been acuumulating.

Took an all day Cooking School class given by a highly respected restaurant.
We first went to the market and learned alot about the offerings available there.
We then headed to the cooking school set up in a garden along the riverside.
We cooked 5 dishes along with sticky rice and it was fabulous. I will have a dinner party when I get back and make these dishes. Really great stuff!!
I will be leaving LP in a few days and begin heading northeast towards the Plain of Jars- this amazing ancient plateau that has these huge stone containers strewn around for reasons lost in time. It is an area that was hard hit by the secret war America waged against the Laotians unbeknownst to the American people. It's a place that has facinated me for many years.
More to come.
Thanks for checking out my blog and for the great comments. Keep em coming.

Blessings,
Jeff

Wow Lao!

After a bit of delay in finally getting to Laos (pronounced Lao here) I have finally arrived and haved dropped back at least 30 years from where Thailand is and maybe a whole millennium as well.
Talk about laid back. This place may define it.
I am currently in Luang Probang the fabulous Northern Lao city along the Mekong River. Formerly a French colonial town, it is beautiful beyond description. Really unlike any place I have been before. It's like the French Quarter in New Orleans meets Hanoi with less traffic and more coconut trees. Hard to describe really.
Walking the streets at night or at dawn is a surreal experience.
Today I was awoken by the sounds of roosters crowing. I jumped out of the bed of my guest house so that I could see the town as it awakens in the early light and fog.
I knew there was the daily ritual of monks walking thru the town and people giving their alms to them. What I didn't know was where it happened and as it turns out it happened right down the street from where I was staying. Pretty convenient in my book.
I bought some banana's and cookies from this little old lady (who actually overcharged me- her karma will pay some day- overcharging for monk alms, sheesh!) and placed them in the monks alms bowls.
Another great way to start a day.
I will be off the bike for a few days to break things up and stay in this town.
Once I have my fill of Luang Prabang I will be heading north into the Northern states of Laos.
Since I was a week delayed in getting here, I was hoping to meet up with my friends Laura and Michael. As it turns out we got to see each other for a total of 5 minutes at the airport as they were heading to Hanoi and I was arriving from Thailand. It was short but sweet. They seem to be having a great time and are on their way for more adventure in Viet Nam. Go L and M!
Ok, I need to go chill out with a Beerlao as it's getting warm and I need to relax after a big day walking the streets of Luang Prabang.

Life on the Road

Tha Ton Thailand

Today I rode about 230 Kms which is about the most I will probably do in any one day. I left at 9 am and got to my destination around 4 pm with a stop for lunch and site seeing at these amazing caves near Chiang Doa.

There is a road mantra that I am living by:

They drive opposite here in Thailand
Slow down into the turn accelerate out of the turn
Stay far left of the center (politically as well as the road)
Keep the rubber part down.

Unlike driving in Viet Nam or India where it is a video game and you are the target, the Thai drivers are a bit better although sometimes I feel as though the center line is only for esthetics. They don't seem to notice which side of the road they are on until there is an oncoming vehicle ( Like ME!) and then they will slowly move over to their lane.
At first I was concerned but now that is just how it is and I put that into my way of driving- giving lots of space and being ever vigilant.

I think driving will be easier in Laos as there are so few cars but the way people drive in Asia is quite something to behold.

So far my only mishap was when I went to avoid a snake crossing the road and in slamming on my brakes I laid the bike on it's side. No damage to me the bike or the snake.
Also the answer to why did the chicken cross the road? It was to mess with the motorcyclists.
I learned something from all the years driving to Burningman. Like they say in the survival guide between Reno and Gerlach, if you see a rabbit crossing the road aim for it!
Chickens crossing the road I am aiming for you.......( I would love the video if I ever do hit one)
More miles ahead....
Send me your comments, I appreciate them.

J

Obama is already working his magic.

Last night in Pai at my final gig in town, I was billed as the headliner. "Jeffrey from San Francisco" introduced as Je Flea. Loved it. Anyway had a packed house with lots of Thais, Euros, and a couple of Americans. I was wearing my Obama T-shirt and periodically I would stand up and toast to Obama. Everyone in the place raised their glasses and yelled "Obama!".
I was blown away and did it every couple of tunes much to the delight of everyone.
Obama is grabbing the worlds attention in a very powerful and positive way.

Today as I left Pai midway to Tha Ton I was stopped at a police roadblock (that I heard could be a bit tricky). The Thai cop comes up to me and the bike, askes for my passport, which I do not have beacuse I had to leave it with the motorcycle rental place. I hand him my international drivers license and a photo copy of my passport. He motions to move over to this holding area. SHIT! So I move me and the bike there and he starts asking me questions of what is in my bags, where have I been, where am I going. A minute later the head cop comes over to see what is going on. He see's my Obama sticker on my guitar case. He mentions the word Obama and I say Obama and give a thumbs up amd a big smile. He smiles back at me and says something in Thai to the other cop who then says that I can leave, tips his cap and off I go.

Obama magic is already happening!!

A Truly Perfect Day

Sunday. A Perfect Day.

I woke at dawn because of a once a year celebration in Mae Hong Son.

One thousand Buddhist monks all parading down a 3 week closed off section of downtown with hundreds of worshippers placing alms in their bowls.
A 1000 monks!


Its hard to not have a great day when you start off with a 1000 monks giving you prayers. Breakfast of Champions!

Next event in my amazing day:

I head off on a wild goose chase to visit a Long Neck Karen Hill Tribe using a map that was written in Thai using ancient measuring techniques long lost in our generation. In other words, the map didn't work. But I trusted.
I followed my instincts and at every crossroad or T intersection I would go with what seemed right. Finally, after an hour or so and I am at this point big time lost and at another T I see this small Thai lady squatting on the side of the road and she points to her neck and points to go up this rutted dirt path. I interpreted that she meant to see the people with the Long necks go that way. On the other hand, she could have meant if you go that way you will break you neck. Both seem plausible.
Well me being me and determined to see the long neck Karen village off I went dirt biking with all my gear and sure enough I finally made it to the Karen village. Thank you squatting lady.
Wow! A whole village of long neck women who choose to place these metal rings around their necks starting as young girls and continue adding to them as they grow older.



Lots of conjecture as to why they originally did this but theories range from preventing tigers from carryinbg them off to making them less attractive to other tribes men to it simply being a stylie thing to do. Your guess is as good as mine.

Next event. I got to take that ride of 1864 turns back towards Pai where I would spend the night before the final push to the Golden Triangle.
I get into Pai and set up with the top Thai massuse for an hour and a half full on real deal Thai massage. I didn't know my body could get into those shapes and didn't know the sound of my kneecaps cracking. It felt great!

Head into town and run into a couple of musicians who I knew and wham! get offered 2 more gigs on Monday. Ok. I will stay till Tuesday and then I am out of here. (he says feebly) No really. Laos is calling and it's hard to get good opium here ;^)

So recap on my perfect day:

1000 monks morning into Karen Long Neck village into the 1864 turn higway into Pai into Thai Massage from the master into getting 2 gigs into a late night jam session.
I don't know if life could be much better. Well maybe a little lovin' but other than that.

Sending blessings.

Hana Schmana. Now THIS road has some curves!

Yesterday I took one of the most beautiful roads I have ever been on.
The road from Pai to Mae Hong Son was truly breath taking. One of those WOW events where every turn was a different mindblowing view and you just had to say WOW.
So, the famous Hana highway (also one of my favorites) has something like 500 turns from Haiku to Hana. Dig this. The road from Pai to Mae Hong Son has 1864 turns!!!Thats right 1864. And I made all of them! ;^) THere is even a certificate they issue you here in MHS that says you drove the road compeleting all 1864 turns.
It was really a blast being on a bike doing the road although at the end of the day I was beat.

The terrain here in North Eastern Thailand is really amazing. Limestone mountains with jagged peaks covered in jungle foliage. From some of the peaks that the road hits you can see the whole mountain range to Burma. Now that is a whole different world that will have to wait for another trip.

I was truly feeling blessed to be able to be here and witness this. To have the resources to experience this does not pass by me lightly. I have been graced with good fortune and I give my thanks everyday.

A good mantra to live by...........

I was tooling through a small road past these beautiful golden rice fields with small thatched huts interspersed. Water buffalo grazing, gorgeous mountains in the distance.
I was thinking how all of this is so far from the problems facing much of the western world.
Bank closings, housing forclosures, stock market dives, etc. and the wars being raged around the world.
I thought how out in these rice fields the people who were working them have no clue to what it is that is on peoples minds and those troubles just don't seem to exist here. If the worlds economic situation failed completely would they even care?

What is important to these people is a good rice harvest, healthy children, a working water buffalo, maybe a motorbike to get around and not much else. They seem really happy and are always free with a wave and a smile.
We have so much in America. SO many things to keep us happy and the threat of losing any of that keeps us up at night.
Regardless of how much money we all make it is more than 95 per cent of the worlds population so our worries seem a bit pointless. We can make good reasons why our problems as so important. I think we are making our problems more than they really are.
A simpler way of life is very compelling.
Right now I have a small pack, a guitar, and not much else. I seem to have all I need.
A reorientation of priorities is in order when I get back home.
Simplify, simplifly, simplify.
That sounds like a good mantra...........

Bye to Pai? It's got me in her grasp.

Pai Thailand.

I was warned. You get there and can't leave.
Well I was thinking how could that be. I have an objective. I have a direction I am heading. I have places to go and people to see. Right?

Last night I was offered and played a gig at the Sanctuary, one of the best bars in town and the key musician in town Noong played along and offered me a gig in his band. Pay, food, drinks and lodging if we go out of town to play.
How cool is that?

What to do? What to do?

I really want to go to Laos as that is my ultimate destination so I am torn right now with what is the best decision.
There is a 3 day holiday for the death of the kings sister so I have time to think about this.
Today I am heading to the Burmese border town called Mae Hong Son where I can weigh my options.
I could really see staying in Pai for a long time. Not my original plan..........

Off on the road and I am sure the answer will come to me.

What Wat?

The day before heading out to the Golden Triangle I decided it would be a good idea to tryout my motorcycle nearby Chiang Mai. Test the waters as it were. SO I took a journey to the second highest mountain in Thailand Doi Suket and went to the most sacred Wat in N Thailand.
While I was there the main monk was delivering blessings and he motioned for me to come forward. He splashed me with holy water and tied a sacred string to my wrist which will stay in place until it falls off by itself.
Well having that blessing makes me feel like I have the Buddah on my side now so my many kilometers ahead should go smoothly.

Today I left Chiang Mai and made my way to Pai a beautiful town surrounded by mountains along the banks of the Pai River. Love it here. Lots of musicians, live music venues groovey vibe.

I was warned that this place may be hard to leave.........
I can see why.

Riding the bike is great. Lots of freedom to go where I want. The main problem I see is my butt gets real sore after about 4 hours in the saddle. So I just may limit my time on the bike to 4 hours per day and see where that takes me.

Visited my first Hill Tribe who were Hmuong people. Very interesting and a beautiful look about them. Visited there opium gardens but did not procur any yet.
More to come.

Feeling good and excited about everyday and where I will end up.

Obama fever is worldwide. Eveyone is hoping for great change from us in America.

Peace,
Jeff

Chiang Mai. Lover of all things Obama

Currently in Chiang Mai Thailand, gateway to the Golden Triangle where I will be heading off tomorrow morning. I will be looking for hill tribes, hot springs, jungles and supposedly good opium.

Got here a couple of days ago and what a great town this is. Lots of activity, great food and way mellower than Bangkok.

Yesterday was as perfect a day as I can remember.

Woke up around 7:30 did 30 minutes of Pilates which helped undo all the kinks from flying 25 hours.

Had breakfast of cappucino and awesome fresh fruit plate .
Went for a long walk thru the old city visiting some beautiful wats (temples) where I said prayers for family, friends and country while monks were chanting. beautiful, surreal, awesome!

Had lunch of two of my favorite dishes on the planet: som tum (green papaya salad and pad thai)
Life is good if I get a som tum every day and I plan on that.

Headed off for a 2 1/2 hour massage with hot herbal compresses(operative word here is Hot as they were fucking hot compresses applied to my whole body and nether regions) and fully got rid of all my travel kinks as well as any bugs that may be invading my body. Nothing could have withstood the heat! It was actually really good.
Made my way to the Sunday market which apparently everyone else in Chiang Mai also does as the crowds were in full force. People selling everthing imaginable, foods to die for and even a male and female beauty contest on a big stage.
Dinner of great street food and of course another som tum, which I failed to tell the som tum maker to use a small amount of chili's. I was burning for quite some time and remembered the dish again this morning if you catch my drift. Ah, spicy thai food. Love it!

Ended the day in the main gate area which is in great spendor with the up coming Lok holiday in two days. They float blessings down the river and in hot air devices to clear your karma during this festival. I will be floating one for myself and for America in hopes that our collective karma will be cleaned up a bit post-Bush.

Speaking of which, I have been wearing and Obama 08 t-shirt and there is great response from everyone who see's it. It seems again like the days of Clinton where America had a great reputation in the eyes of the world (love that song). I haven't felt proud to be an American in a long time and I am truly proud about what we did last Tuesday. The whole world was watching and we didn't let them down. Old Thai men give me a thumbs up when I walk by and say
Oba Mah' emphasis on the Ma. It's cute. Europeans greet me with "good job on the election".
It feels like old times internationally speaking and I am so happy for that.

We, us Americans, need to keep the energy up and make sure that our dear elected Barack indeed holds true the the changes that we have elected him to undertake. We all need to keep doing what we need to help him in this quest. Let's not let the world down. He needs our sustained presence and our collective energy.

OK over and out. Next stop Golden Triangle and the hill tribes. Have no idea what the internet scene will be but I will do my best.
Thanks to all those who have posted back to me. Please keep me in your loop and respond here on the blog. I appreciate your words.

Blessings,
Jeff

The Loooooong Commute

Dateline: Singapore International Airport
Time: 2am
Body Condition: Feeling the 17 hour flight so far.
Objective: Get some sleep during the 7 hour layover before boarding again for the flight to Bangkok where I will then catch another flight to Chiang Mai Thailand. The endless commute.
Mood: Groovy-delirius-ecxcited

Watched 4 movies on the flight over:
Iron Man - kinda cool- extremely unrealistic
Journey to the Center of the Earth- time waste but good visuals
Wall-E - Cute slightly touching
Dark Knight- Great acting long movie should have been called Long Knight

Ok time to get some rest unfortunately the transit hotel is full so have to sleep on the chairs in the airport. Been there enough times to know how to do that comfortably.
Next post: Chiang Mai

Cheers,
J

A solo Motorcycle tour of Laos

Off I go this Thursday for one of my dream trips realized.....

A solo motorcycle tour of Laos with a bit of N Thailand just cuz it's so cool.

Why solo?  Where else can you fully realize taking the exact turn on a road you want, spend the exact right amount of time in a special place, and make yourself fully realize who you are with no reliance on anyone but yourself.  Going off to such a peaceful country like Laos where I fully expect to drop down several levels and really get a taste of this Buddhist nation

How do you cross all the I's and dot all the T's before leaving on such a big adventure?

Guide book suggestions  really help.

So with my bare minimums of:

1. Small backpack with clothes, meds, etc

2. Guitar with small battery amp (mini-Marshall stack)

3. Said guide books

4. Necessary documents

5. Motorcycle Helmet

And that is all I am taking.  The rest shall we say, will show itself, the road will show me how to go, the weather will dictate the speed at which I travel, and my heart will show me how best to connect with the people I will meet.

I look forward to posting to this blog along the way.  I have no idea of the availability of internet connections but I will do my best to keep you all current to my whereabouts.

And now off to finish packing and getting my s*#t together.

Sawadee Ka

Jeff