Approaching a definite change and I can't wait

Our time in Chiang Mai feels like it has been wasted. We have slept through until the afternoon most days and I'm sure it's just that we are aclimatising from the slow life in Pai. Also we have come down with yet another flu and I have been blessed with a throat ulcer. But who can complain. It wont be long until I have to start working in Bangkok. I sincerely hope I can find the work because otherwise I will have to go back home. I'm sure there are many that would love to see me on my way back and off to University, but that isn't going to happen just yet.

Tomorrow we think we might aim to get to the top of Doi Suthep - the large mountain with temple on the top. From what I gather we should be able to reach the top by Sawngteaw (a ute that usually charges about 40 B per person). I'm sure it will be amazing but that isn't what's on my mind.

My observations of Thailand have been scattered at best. My first impressions where that of any person leaving their home country for the first time by themselves. I was fairly scared but mostly I was excited about seeing new lands and learning new things that I may never learn while at home. As you all know I managed to meet Narin and we have been together ever since. Now I am getting ready to work, if I can, and I'm looking forward to slipping into some surreal stream of normality.

It seems that there are a few general classifications of travelers through Thailand. I'll make it clear now that I don't think I ever really wanted to be the back packing kind. Perhaps that is why I find myself here now in this situation.

The Backpacker:

The Backpacker gets into Bangkok and quickly finds a room, if it hasn't already been pre-booked. The thing is that the Backpacker gets so sick of Bangkok that they are usually off and out within a couple of days. I personally spent 3 weeks in BKK. Admittedly it was fairly chaotic but the people I met were far more interesting than the common Backpacker. One common quote I have heard throughout my travels is; "Well I've been here for about a week, and I've been (here there and every where). I'll be going to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and then back to Thailand". Usually this is followed by a trip back home to work.

Dirty Ol' Bastard:

This is self-explanatory. Many DOB's come to Thailand because they are unable to make something of themselves in their home countries. Often they come to see the likes of Silom in BKK, followed by Patayya and any other working girl areas throughout Thailand. Some may find love and wind up with a girl 20 years younger than themselves. I find it disheartening to see but unfortunately it has become a major part of life in Thailand. I've also seem many of these DOB's waltzing the streets of Chiang Mai, probably more so here than in Bangkok. They look awfully strange and somehow out of place in this environment.

Temporary love:

This Temporary love is something that I find myself closely linked with but I would like to think that my situation is still some what different. Well I hope it is because otherwise I will be heading home very soon. This sort of love is where a man might find himself a lady to virtually escort him around the country. Generally the man will pay for most things but he will have a personal guide to order food, get better deals on taxi fairs and generally take care of the tourist. This can almost be seen as puppy prostitution but I'd say it is almost permissible in my eyes.

My kind of travel:

I find myself in a foreign country with Narin. She is an amazing girl and I am really happy to have spent the last month or so with her. Initially I was apprehensive about what I was getting myself into. I was paying for a lot and now we have exhausted most of my funds. I know this will inspire many nervous comments but I can assure you it is not what you think. I'm more confident now than I have ever been because now it is her that must support me. I am planning on working soon and I am aware that I'll have to wait for 1 month before I get paid. That could mean that I wont receive an income for atleast another 1.5 months. I have found someone that really wants to be with me because she is willing to support me as I am willing to support her. She is really positive about both mine and her employment opportunities. Once we reach BKK we will be finding an apartment and hopefully we shouldn't have to wait to long for me to start working. Now please refrain from offering any comments that may offend me. I'm aware that my situation can be seen as quite risque but it is my situation and I'm confident in the final outcome. Honestly, I never really wanted to be a Backpacker. I'm happy knowing that I have the opportunity to stay and live in a foreign country. It has been a hidden dream of mine for some time. Worse comes to worst I can jump on a plane back to Australia and go to Uni.

Before I left Australia I had made a subtle pact with myself. I said I wanted to learn something. It was something I couldn't predict before I left and it has surely been educational. I have learnt so much about myself, about Narin and her families way of life in the North East, about food and the amazing pleasure it can bring, about the Ex-Pat community and how close they really are to eachother, about the Thai people as a whole, about riding motor bikes without a helmet and living to tell the tale (don't worry, I didn't crash) and many other things I can't recognise myself. I can assure all loved ones out there that I am following my dreams and I have never been happier. It seems that my depressive days of yesterday have dwindled to a mild trickle. I feel as though everything is falling into place, even though my future is more uncertain than ever.

My apologies for the delays in entries and photos. I'm sure you have all been wondering what has been happening but my mind has been in a perpetual mist of discovery. Hopefully soon I can upload 3 weeks worth of photos for you all to see. Please leave as many messages as you like. I miss you all and look forward to reading your replies in the next couple of days.