Weather update.

This has been a strange year in Thailand weather-wise (and else-wise but I will leave that alone for now). Earlier in the year we had the hottest summer in fifty years, with temps throughout the country routinely over 40 degrees C. (That is really hot, for those of you who measure in Fahrenheit). It was accompanied by a record breaking drought. Now we are facing the coldest winter in 30 to 40 years, due to La Nina paying us a visit. The weather has been spectacular here in CM city, with balmy afternoons and chilly nights, usually quite sunny. However in the hinterlands (i.e. the mountains) it has been much colder. The people in the mountains are mostly poor, have uninsulated houses, and usually lack proper winter clothes. One person already died in Chiang Rai from exposure (exacerbated by an underlying heart condition). Thais are not acclimatized to cold weather, and succumb to its affects at temperatures that would not seem dangerous to us. They are actually forecasting freezing weather in large swathes of the North this year, which is unheard of. This will unfortunately lead to a lot of deaths from respiratory diseases, asthma and exposure. The government and charities are doing what they can, but there will always be people who don't get proper clothes, etc, or drink alcohol before going to bed (very dangerous in cold climates).

Plum Deliciious!

I ate a plum today. (Actually I ate two). That may not seem like a big deal, but I haven't eaten a plum in probably five years. Plums don't grow here in Thailand, so it is hard to eat them. Well, they are occasionally available in the supermarket, but since they are imported they normally cost a king's ransom. So, I look at them with longing and then pass. But today they had some plums on sale, four for forty baht. Now, that is really cheap for fruit, even cheaper than an orange. Close examination showed why they were marked down. They were soft, very soft. Well past their prime, I decided to take a chance on them anyway. One wasn't very good, a kind of sickly sweet flavor, with no tartness at all and a pulpy consistency. They other however, was delicious, in spite of being soft. I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I have two more to eat tomorrow!

American Football

Living here in Thailand I don't get to see much American Football. You can buy expensive cable packages that show a lot of football, but my apartment does not offer that cable company. (And I would not pay extra for it anyway). You can also get a satellite dish and wash 10 million channels from around the world. That is even more expensive.

However, the cable package we have at Baan Thai does occasionally broadcast football games, although they don't provide an advanced viewing schedule so it is largely hit or miss trying to see a game. But in the fall if I get up early on a Sunday morning I can often find a game.

Today I was in luck, and saw the second half of an exciting game between Michigan and Notre Dame. I was a bit disappointed after Notre Dame came from behind to take a lead with three minutes left, only to allow a touchdown in the last 30 seconds of the game. But it was still a good game. Last year I saw several Big 12 games, and maybe I will get to see some U. of Texas games this year.

Season Change

We have had a sudden change in our weather. This is still the rainy season, but for the last week the weather forgot that. It has been dry, sunny, and very, very hot. Then last night about nine o'clock the wind started gusting. I thought it was going to start raining, but it never did. Instead a norther blew through roaring down from China and the eastern flank of the Himalayas. This morning it was actually chilly, not something we expect here in September. It is cloudy, cool, and very pleasant right now. I'm loving it!

Five Years

I am celebrating a milestone this week. As of today I have lived in Thailand for five years. It is incredible to me that that much time has passed. I have to say that I haven't every regretted coming here and still don't. There have been ups and downs along the way, but I have generally been happy here, and I suspect, much happier than I would have been living in the States.

I am looking forward to many more years here in Thailand. I am not sure if I will remain in Chiang Mai, or relocate at some point to a more central location. (CM is a great place to live, but it isn't necessarily convenient when you want to travel. Plus there are many great places in Thailand that I haven't been able to visit simply because they are two far away for a short trip. I am also looking to boost my income, I admit I have been kind of lazy the last couple of years. I have been taking it easy. But it is time to start working harder and building up the old savings account.

For those of you who are interested, my foot is getting better. I don't have to wear the "ski boot" anymore. I am walking more normally, although I cannot really walk long distances and my foot swells up when I spend too much time standing up. So it is still a work in progress.