The first couple days in Thailand has been awesome!  Chiang Mai is such a beautiful city, especially the temples.  The food tastes great, but i’m definitely going to get used to eating rice, it’s in almost every meal.  We started our Thai language classes and our teacher is very nice and enthusiastic as we struggle through the different tones and meanings of the new language.  Yesterday we visited a Buddhist temple at the mountaintop called Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.  It was awe-inspiring and definitely a great place to visit my first Buddhist temple.  The hostel Mojito Garden we are staying at is very cozy with cute artwork and plants all around the place.  I’m excited for home stays in a couple days where I will be forced to fully embrace the Thai culture.

Derek