More on quirky Chiang Mai

Did I mention that I really like the city of Chiang Mai? It felt like home. A city that even Lonely Planet Guides describes as quirky suited me just fine.
I was glad that I followed my instinct to rent a room from the hostel called “Nocky’s House.” As soon as I sat down with one of the awesome Thai daughters I fell in love and wanted to give her my money. The hostel was owned by a kick-ass family who gave me special discounts, great treatment, and even offered my money back when I would change my plans periodically!
I had a Chiang Mai routine: walking to the water filter machine on the street and preparing my two plastic bottles to be filled with UV-treated water. The machine that I liked best was broken and the water pressure was freakishly strong. Every other machine barely filled up one bottle of water for 1 Thai baht, but this baby, not only filled up two, but also came out so forcefully that it splashed me in the face and splattered all over my clothes, without fail, every time.
From the water machine, I would walk away drenched and refreshed to “Soi 6” (the streets are numbered as “soi’s”) where there was a market to buy some fruit, spicy noodles and eggplant, and then to a kick-ass bakery to buy some delicious and cheap banana bread. A dollar was all it took to get a loaf with moist raisins and cashews on top.
Someone at my guest house had suggested that I check out the vegetarian restaurant called “Blue Diamond” that had delicious organic food with many veggie options. I quickly became a regular.
One of the things that I loved best about Chiang Mai was its transportation options. To get from one side of the city to the other, you could take a communal taxi, which consisted of jumping on the back of the pick up truck. This was the custom in Nicaragua when hitchhiking as well, but the “sawnthaew” has two benches on the long side of the truck and charges a dollar or less. It’s quite economical and convenient.
The city is also quite bike friendly and I used this option to get to more of my spiritual, quirky destinations. First I found a yoga studio that was offering a weekend workshop on finding yourself. My favorite part of the program was being catapulted in the air by four people while I shouted “ME!” They confirmed that it was me by looking into my eyes and saying, “Yes, it’s you.” A moment that I will surely never forget.
After visiting the yoga studio I went to a gorgeous temple that was built in the Cambodian “Angor Wat” style. Three days a week they offer “monk chats” where the monks sit down with you and tell you all about their traditions, lifestyle and anything else you wanna know.
Another day I visited the woman’s correctional facility of Chiang Mai. These female prison inmates are trained in giving Thai and foot massages. The money they earn from the treatments is saved until they are released. Can you imagine going to the jails in the US and letting the accused criminals give you a massage?