Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

This morning we went back to the place Lah recommended a couple of days ago, Khao Soi Lung Prakit Kad Kom. Since I learned how to make the khao soi curry paste I really wanted to try it out in the wild – it was deliciously spicy and I feel like it was pretty close to what we made at the class. We haven’t had a single meal in Thailand that wasn’t like the most delicious thing ever… and then we eat something else and then that’s the best meal we’ve ever had.

This afternoon was reserved for life admin and laundry. Laundry day is actually something I look forward to because it means you get to finally choose from not sweaty clothes the next morning. We found a little cafe and massage place down the street from the laundromat, and sat our butts down for a couple of hands of crib, a massage and sorting out what the next steps on the trip are going to be… for me. Unfortunately Garrett heads home tomorrow afternoon (SAD!) so I’m going to be continuing the adventure solo. Man now I have to make all the decisions by myself!? Ugh.

We did book one big thing for Garrett before he ships off: a Sak Yant bamboo tattoo! He booked into a shop called Bloodline that we scouted out a few days ago. I think I’m more nervous than he is because I’ve been all are you nervous? Excited?! I’m excited. And he’s just very calm (which is probably a good thing). Sak Yants are traditional sacred designs that protect the bearer from evil spirits and deflect bad things from their life. Bamboo tattoos are applied slowly, prick by prick, using a bamboo stick fitted with a (clean and new!) needle, rather than the typical electric needles used in shops at home.

For two hours Garrett laid on a table as a Thai tattooist and his translator worked on the Sak Yant, which turned out beautifully. He took the slowness of it like a champ. I definitely would have been sweaty and probably emotional as heck. He got bandaged up and was immediately ravenous, a feeling I remember having after my last tattoo as well. Feed me ALL THE THINGS.

It was good timing because the Sunday night market was right nearby and was the best one we’d been to yet! We ate street food in between browsing all the little stalls full of treasures (some of which I bought and will be sending home with Garrett!). Noodles and rice dishes, spring rolls, ancient ice cream (more like a popsicle), pork meatballs and BBQ pineapple and chicken was like half of what we ate. It was basically a feast.

And a wonderful way to end Garrett’s last full day here.

Sav