Christmas in Chang Mai

Chang Mai is an all together different kind of city; cool and laid back yet humming with Thai culture. If Thailand were Sydney (a somewhat incongrouous analogy but stay with me) Bangkok would be the city, a busy buisness centre, Ko Phangnan would probably be Manly, pretty but full of British tourists. It's neighbour Ko Samui would be Bondi, a more famous and crowded tourist hot spot. Ayuthaya would be one of the colonial  settlements now absorbed into western Sydney, historiacally significant yet barren and slighty dangerous. Chang Mai would be Newtown, full of second hand book shops and Vegetarian establishments. The food here is the best so far encountered. Last night's meal for instance: Green bean, mushroom, tofu and ginger curry with brown rice. Yum! Today after a breakfast of fresh fruit from the market I caught a Sawngsaw up the nearby mountain to a temple overlooking Chang Mai city. Christmas here is strangely a big thing. Decked out in decorations, lights and a 5 story Christmas tree made from recycled CDs, carols playing and santas dancing. Unfortunately the anticipated ice rink was only artificial ice so I gave it a miss. Christmas is rapidly gaining traction in Thailand, with 10000 christmas trees reportedly sold this year in this Bhuddist nation. At night the streets are transformed into huge markets. Last night I was walking in the markets and from the throngs of people I heard a voice calling my name. To my bewilderment it was Jess Brandt, now what are the chances! It was a welcome suprise however, to hang out with someone I knew in this foreign land. To everyone in Australia (although it is already boxing day there) Merry Christmas from Chang Mai.