Update

Greetings from Chiang Mai!

I thought I would be polite and post a little something, since you haven't heard from us for a few days now.  We successfully arrived back in Chiang Mai.  Our poor rental car suffered tremendously for the time we drove it.  Everyday we put some serious kilometers on it.  When we returned it the entire car was red from dust.  (It was originally silver)  No dents or scratches though.  We have checked into our new accommodation.  We have a beautiful traditional Thai house.  No pictures at the moment, but I will post some before we leave.  What I mean by a traditional Thai house, is that it is on stilts, is completely wooden (with the exception of the hand made clay roof tiles), and consists of one large room.  We are lucky to have been able to get the only house with a bathroom on the same floor as the bedroom.  Most Thai traditional houses are too fragile to support the weight of plumbing.  The only downside is that there is NO heat, insulation, or glass!  Meaning the temperature outside is the temperature inside.  No big deal right?  We are in Thailand!  But, the temperature here has been dropping down to the 12 Celsius range, which is quite a shock for our Bangkok adjusted bodies.  (In hot weather there is a fan, and they spray water on the roof to keep the house cool).  As I write I am wearing a sweatshirt, long pants, and a toque!  (Winter hat for you Americans.)  Fortunately during the day it warms up, and we have been practicing Thai massage, so we've been working hard.

Our massage class is fantastic!  We are both enjoying it very much.  Our class begins at 7:00 AM with Thai Yoga.  Very easy movements that go along with the massage movements.  Very beneficial.  I can even touch my toes!!  From there we eat breakfast, family style.  Yogurt, "Musley," fresh fruit, coffee, eggs, and toast.  Massage training is from 9-12, break for lunch, and then back to work from 1-4.  Lunch is excellent Thai food, followed by fresh fruit.  Usually lunch is a little lighter so we don't fall asleep during the massage.

Everyday one lucky student gets to be the model for demonstration.  It feels so wonderful!  We watch the demonstration of the positions first, and follow along making notes in our workbook.  Then we get to work massaging our partner.  Fortunately I brought my partner with me, so it is great fun.  Christelia and I have managed to impress our teacher.  Massage is hard work!  By the end I am worn out and ready to lie down.  Fortunately, that is exactly what happens.

Our evening routine is an herbal steam bath from 6:15-7, followed by a short sit by the fire, and finally dinner. After dinner we all sit and talk around the dinner table, and usually everyone calls it a night before 9 PM.  Christelia and I usually head back up to our house, sit out on our porch sipping wine and playing Rummy.

Well, enough for tonight.  It is late and yoga starts early in the morning.  Good night, more to come.

Eduardo