“Human creativity evolves in two realms: culture and religion”.
book: Spiritual Co-Pilgrims-chapter 13 TOWARDS A CULTURE OF HARMONY
The city of Chiangmai located in northern Thailand has the strongest sense of place and unique characteristics than any city in Thailand. It’s a city that continues to hold fast to its strong sense of Northern Thai or khon meuang (‘people of the principality’) identity. I had not planned to visit Chiangmai but travel plans changed and I was thrilled to be presented with the opportunity to see this amazing city. Just outside of Chiangmai, I went to Baan Tong Luang, an eco-agricultural hill tribes village, where eight different ethnic tribes live in a community separated by rice paddy fields. It was an incredible experience to witness the various tribes in their traditional environments, wearing vibrant colored costume and making handmade woven scarves and hand dyed indigo wears. I was happy to support the preservation of their wonderful lifestyle by purchasing several handmade items.
PADONG TRIBE
Often referred to as “long necks”
HMONG TRIBE 
LAHU TRIBE 
LAHU women wear big earrings and many silverwares 
HMONG TRIBE 
KAYAW TRIBE 
PAYLONG TRIBE 
yes! I bought the hat 
KAREN TRIBE 
On the way back to Chiangmai, we stopped at the Mae Sa Waterfall #reiemployee. We hiked up to waterfall #5 of the 10 levels to the beautiful cascading falls.
I stayed at a wonderful hotel, River View Lodge recommended by Bro. Tim that was located on the Mae Ping River. It felt like I was in a museum with beautiful Asian inspired antiques throughout the lodge and outdoor landscape full of pots with unique tropical plants. The lodge was well located within close proximity to the night bazaar, Muslim area, Anusarn Market and the ancient walled city. Chiangmai has 121 Lanna-style Buddhist temples within the city limits and over 300 in the surrounding area. I felt like I was in Rome, Italy but with temples instead of churches! The Doi Suthep mountains behind the city provide a picturesque backdrop but dangerous levels of air quality made it hard to see them. My driver said the pollution is common this time of year due to the jungle fires set off in Myanmar, some of which are deliberate and some acts of nature.
Chiang Mai
Halal food
egg noodle with curry & coconut milk
Good-bye’s
It’s so hard to believe that two months have flown by and we are starting to say good-bye to the Maryknoll missioner volunteers. Most of the short-term volunteers are leaving to their home lands by the end of March 😦
Embracing Gray 