The Chiang Mai Escapade | MIR

7. The Free Ride

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[Book]

The neighborhood was awake when we checked out of The Lotus Pod Inn. There were people on the alley sweeping the front of their yards and children were running all around. I nearly bumped a man who was walking backwards as he was leading a tour group to their bus. I said my apology and continued urging my own group to move faster.

We had a very good breakfast and the team was all ready for our tour around Chiang Mai. Our stomachs were warmed by the chicken biryani- a rice cooked together with chicken curry, bami mu daeng- egg noodle soup with red roasted pork, kiao kung or prawn wonton,  usually served with chillies and vinegar, khanon chin namya- Thai rice noodles served with a fish based sauce called namya, and the last, kaeng hangle- curry of stewed pork, peanuts, chillies, and tamarind. The food literally warmed our tummies with the chillies and hot soup.

For our first day, we were planning on visiting the historical Buddhist temples in the city. The first destination was the Wat Phan Tao on Rachadamnoen Road. It was not so famous like other temples, but we were planning to pay respects before we start our journey in a solemn way, so I thought it was the perfect spot for it, and a monk chat too. Yes, we might also insert that on the to-do list this morning.

We hired a tuk-tuk, the famous taxi of Thailand, since it was four kilometers away from where we were. At least that was what the GPS was telling me, and it was just a fifteen-minute drive. I hoped the traffic was not yet heavy so that we could get there fast.

The morning air was wet and heavy as we wove along the alleys and highways to our destination. I checked my tiny group's outfit and was glad to see us all wearing long pants. At least, they knew how to give respect to the monks and temples.

We took pictures before we went inside the prayer room to light an incense stick. We took off our shoes and dusted our feet as we stepped inside and bowed to a monk we met. We took our sticks from the bamboo holder and went to the altar. The four of us were talking silently as we stepped forward, actually it was the most behaved moment of Frame since I met him. I couldn't believe myself he could be this silent. Shush. Do not tell him I just told you that.

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We were so noisy as we followed the path to the gate of Wat Chedi Luang, just south of Wat Phan Tao. Fuse was laughing as he piggybacked on Tee, while the latter complained on how heavy the one he was carrying. Frame was singing at the top of his lungs even though he was off key and was  leaning on me as we walked. He was so heavy and also so loud. I elbowed his side softly and watched him faked a painful reaction.

"Hey Book! Why do you always love to hurt my feelings?" He asked as he distanced himself from me. I just stuck my tongue out at him and laughed.

"Why can't you just be a sweet boyfriend like Tee or Fuse?" He added as he scratched his head. Aww, my boyfriend was really taking things seriously. I went to him and bumped him.

"Hey, why are you so melodramatic?" I smiled at him as I draped his arm on me. I knew he liked it because he stroke my cheek and smiled.

"I like it every time you are like this. Do this all the time okay?" He whispered on my ear as he leaned. It tickled me as his warm breath played on my lobe.

I could already see the gate of Wat Chedi Luang and the people were going in and out, most were tourists on their private tour groups. Well, it was just one hundred twenty meters from Wat Phan Tao.