TOPS Day 0: Arrival & Adminstration

The Beginning

The day has finally arrived and our TOPS trip to Chiang Mai has officially started. As we were in the air, the cloud cover began to disappear, and we caught our first glimpse of the vast and raw Chiang Mai.

As we exited from the plane, we were greeted with a similar warmth from the Sun that kissed our faces. I am filled with much excitement as the desire to expose myself, learn, understand assimilate into their local culture grows with each passing moment spent here in Chiang Mai. As the designated photographer for this trip, I could not wait to lose myself and explore the streets of Chiang Mai and with the best of my ability, try to capture Chiang Mai in its essence. We were introduced to our Chiang Mai University Student attached to us, Mohn, who was a final year student studying political science who was fluent in both the local Thai language and English. After settling into our accomodation in Le Meridien Hotel, Mohn decided to take us to the nearby night market to try some local Thai cuisines.

As we walked through the night market, we bore witness to a diversity of shops selling all sorts of things, from keychains to bags, from switchblades to fake designer merchandise and the list goes on. The Sunday Market along Walking Street is filled a myriad of sounds, incessant price haggling, sizzling of oil from the barbequed meat, the clanging of the frying pans. Amidst all those sounds, distinct tunes and music added a local touch to the night market.

My group and I are feeling pretty positive about the days ahead. I feel that this is definitely going to be an experience that I will remember and cherish in the many years to come.

PS: I’m not really good with expressing my feelings in words, but I do hope my pictures help convey my memorable experience to you in a much better way. Enjoy! 

Team Healthcare

Our first glimpse of Chiang Mai from our plane

Local talented artists drawing a portrait of a couple

Students by day, musicians by night.

Students by day, musicians by night.

Lady Boss

Gig; playing familiar mainstream songs

Something you don’t see everyday;

Laksa: Chiang Mai Edition

Dion, giving her sign of approval, after enjoying the local Banana Roti

Roadside Stall

Quiet Night Market.

Shi Wei, Brian and our CMU Student-attached, Mohn.

Driving along the streets of Chiang Mai