Day 0: Sunday Highs

Upon stepping foot on Chiang Mai soil, we were greeted warmly by the Le Meridien hotel staff, who presented us with flower garlands and took pictures with us. It occurred to me that this sort of treatment would never occur in Singapore. The Thais’ hospitality shone in stark contrast to Singapore’s jadedness.

However, I noticed later that there was a booth set up outside the convention hall which we had been to sell the printed photos from the airport. It was then that I realized the extent to which Chiang Mai was dependent on the tourism industry, and how much they were willing to use every resource to make profit. I wondered if they had stopped to predict their sales outcome before going to such an extent, since none of us even paused to buy any photographs.

The night bazaar outside the Le Meridien was already in full swing when we left for dinner. Surprisingly, the food centre that we went to for dinner was empty. Again, I wondered if this was a tourist hoax – a food centre set up just for tourists, where overpriced and lackluster dishes were to be expected. In hindsight, I admit I was a bit too pessimistic, because the Tom Yam Goong that I ordered was one of the best fires I had ever doused my tongue and throat with. In fact, all the food was amazing. The mango sticky rice was the bomb!

The Sunday Walking Street was almost claustrophobic. I vaguely remember visiting the Sunday Walking Street with my family four years back on our vacation to Chiang Mai, but I certainly did not remember it being so packed. I could literally hear the breaths, the conversations of the crowd as they tripped past my ears. We brushed elbows and knocked knees. In my Pre-trip Projection, I aimed to understand the locals’ lifestyles, but being physically there in the can of sardines, I was hardly able to observe anything but the blurred faces of fellow tourists. I’m not proud to say I became just like any other tourist, haggling prices and caring only for my wants. But I figured, I could leave the educated and deep stuff for tomorrow.

Today, I was not as nervous as I thought I would be, being in a foreign place with myself as the main caretaker (I’m used to travelling with family). However, I do hope to become more thoughtful and understanding in the days ahead.