Ok, it’s another morning in Chiang Mai and time to give everyone the update.
I walked up Ratchadamnoen Road through the Thapae Gate last night and headed downtown. Although Chiang Mai has grown a lot since 1983, most of the growth has been in the suburbs, and the downtown (apart from the riverfront) looks much the same. Sure the auto parts shops have turned into backpacker cafes playing CCR on endless loop, but it’s still the same building.
What always amazes me about the backpacker cafe is how they are always crowded with people who dress, look and talk the same. Funny facial hair (except the girls), hilltribe bag, dreads, and a Lonely Planet book. If I wanted to talk with a bunch of people who talked and dressed just like me, couldn’t I do that back home in Rochester, MN and save on airfare? But I should leave the backpackers alone today — they are too easy of a target.
Headed up Thapae Road and then turning onto Chanklang Road to the Night Bazaar, there is now a huge department story on one side of the Night Bazaar and a Meridien Hotel on the other, but the Night Bazaar itself looks relatively unchanged. Still lots of hawkers with little kiosks selling silk, ceramics, laquerware and bootleg CDs (ok, these used to be cassettes).
The complex is very empty tonight because about half of the vendors are staying away for the Chinese New Year holiday. Still, there’s plenty going on in the attached video for you nostalgia buffs.
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