Climbing up Maslov's Heirarchy — Travels with George

(Hi, this is George posting) According to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, I’m still a long way from “self-actualization” here in Chiang Mai. But check off physiological needs of shelter, water, and food! As you read in Christine’s recent blog, we finally found a condo, drinking water delivery, and many great neighborhood markets, vendor stalls, and food carts. So, my advice herein on what to do, to avoid, and definitely to laugh about (because doing anything else expends personal energy into nothingness – start listing aphorisms).

Several of y’all asked “Why Thailand?” (I’ll skip the “What’s with the pony tail?”). This is our 4th visit to Thailand, each a little longer than the last, and more interesting each time. Checklist: wonderfully friendly people, stable government, Buddhist, safe, excellent healthcare facilities, delicious food, exotic surroundings, and Chiang Mai is the most historically significant city in northern Thailand. Compared to crazy Bangkok (8+M go-getters), Chiang Mai (200K mellowers) is calm, cool (temperature and temperament), and culturally integrated.

Santitham? It’s a neighborhood just north of the moated Old City (founded in 1296 as "New Walled City") that we wanted to live in to go deep. Very few tourists, and little English spoken here. There are many students from nearby universities as well as families. Already we’re making friends with locals who sell vegetables in the morning, everything imaginable to eat (ask me later about “egg hatching egg” aka Thai-style balut) and take-away meals wrapped hot in small bags.

[I’m back, sorry for the interruption – writing about it made me think “Hey that place is just 5 minute walk away!” #nevernothungry]

We’re staying in D'Vieng Santitham condominium, Hussadhisawee Road, Soi 8, Changpuak, Mueng Chiangmai, Chiangmai, Thailand (say it all in one breath). What an adventure to get a condo! But now we’ve a home base from which to explore SE Asia. We’ll try to keep old good habits (exercise each day) and learn challenging ones (practice two new Thai phrases each week).

The next level on the pyramid is Safety. As my children know too well, I’m all about “safety first” [except that bungee jump in NZ, motor scooter in Monaco, trek with indigenous tribe in Amazonian rain forest, etc., but never mind). In Santitham there are no real sidewalks or traffic lanes (Thais drive on left side), and cars, trucks, motorcycles (with side cars), scooters, tut tuts, songthaews, bicycles, are all over the street (especially to stop by street food carts at night). Future blog: “Will my wearing a reflective orange safety vest with flashing strobe really help?”

หวัดดี, George.

View from our 5th floor condo - view toward Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Sirriwattana Market: so many stalls - all exotic, all delicious! #nevernothungry #yesIwantthattoo

Neighborhood children having great fun! Kids everywhere.