Death by Law

Last night I looked out my window and there floating delicately high in the sky was a small hot air balloon. Near the canal of the old city for $1.50 you can purchase a hot air balloon, the size of a small lamp shade to one or two feet in diameter powered by a can of burning material perched on a cross beam at the bottom. One makes a wish and when it becomes buoyant, release it to the breeze. It raises slowly to heights of a few thousand feet and the prevailing winds take it on a slow flight over the city. Wishing is harmless and the sight of your wish sailing the night skies somehow is a peaceful activity that lifts ones spirit along with your light ship. In America this would be against the law, fire risk, interference with aircraft and any number of statutes.
In the evening I pass clinics where the cost of a doctors visit, including medicine is less than thirty dollars and sometimes less. A stay in the hospital for a broken leg doesn't break ones life savings and despair doesn't accompany life's expected small disasters. There aren't lawyers advertising on TV soliciting law suits against faultless doctors that fail to cure or meet every expectation of patients. I'll sue isn't the mantra of greed.
Small businesses flourish everywhere unencumbered by tedious forms, permits and stifling laws. Hard work and effort can lead to a better life. Yes, there are government fees and small corruptions that the business person deals with, but they don't crush people trying to get ahead.
In any society there are benefits to law and regulations that protect the public, but has America dampened the spirit of those that it should serve?
The wish balloon floats out of my vision. Then there is another, another joins it. My sky is filled with graceful lights swaying in the night.

Animal House

Thailand has a large amount of wildlife and even in the towns on sees tropical birds and other critters. Like all people Thais have pets but a few differences from Western countries. For instance there are packs of semi-wild dogs that roam the street; they look like a yellow dingo type dog. These dogs are left alone (part of the Buddhist ethic) for the most part. You can see little dishes of left over rice and meat on the side walk, sometimes with incense sticks in them. This is part of food offerings to the spirits, a hold over of animist beliefs. I've seen dogs eat this food and even a few homeless people eat from this.
The dogs that Thais keep for pets are mostly small lap dogs and they're carried around like a child and in the mornings sport little sweaters. They lead good lives.
Cats aren't seen as often. Even cats as pets in homes are more skittish, probably from all the dogs ;) Thai cats are leaner and smaller looking like Siamese but not of the color they we see that breeders have in the US.
Horses are fewer, and used to pull small carts. Since Thailand is more mechanized today there a fewer horses than I saw in the past. Like the elephant the job of hauling loads is now done by trucks or small three wheeled vehicles with a side-car like attachment. The elephants that you see are mostly for tourist rides and show.
Well, I'm off to study now. I'll try and keep the site updated better. See y'all later.

School boy blues

School is in. I'm taking two classes at the AUA school here in Chiangmai. Two hours in the morning I learn/review beginning spoken Thai for two hours, take an hour for lunch, then another two hours learning to read and write Thai. Thai has 41 consonants and many vowels so the late afternoon is spent in study. It's hard work, but fun. When I come back to Thailand my Thai should be much improved and make visits to small villages or off the beaten track places more accessible.
The six week course lasts until just before my visa ends when I'm not sure if I'm going to Malaysia or Cambodia first. The trick of successful travel is to keep ones self open to change and new situations, so we'll wait and see.
I'll have to get on the stick and work on posting photos for everyone. It's going to take some learning and time is limited during the school week. Patience is a virtue, right? Off to dinner at a great Chinese restaurant that I found. BTW Chrysanthemum tea is really nice. It has a clear yellow color and is very refreshing. Then more homework...the school boy blues... :)