My Chiang Mai
We returned to Chiang mai from trekking and made it to Habad for Kabbalat Shabbat. I have to say, that it was really nice. Everything was short and to the point, very Israeli, and of course the price was right. We davened there, and ate Shabbat dinner with other backpacking Israelis (mostly religious) who we found to be pleasant and different travelling styles.
We did meet Yossi and Orit, who got married 12 hours after us at Ramat Rahel, and who's mother went to great lengths to deliver to us an envelope gift that had made it into their cache! Incredible.
Say what you will about Habad, but there was no prosyletizing, everyone was welcome no questions asked, and they are simply the only show in town!
Since our trek, we have spent lots of time in Chiang Mai walking around, eating fantastic food and checking out various activities.
The nice thing is that there are many great vegetarian restaurants around and Mara has done great research to locate them (as well as everything else).
Yesterday we did a half day cooking course at the Smart cooking center in Chiang Mai, whcih was fantastic. We now can make some serious Pad Thai, Red and Green Curry, sticky rice, Tom Yum soup, papaya salad, and Morning glory. Our pics should be on their website soon so be sure to check back. Don't worry, when we get back we'll make a serious feast!
We also rented scooters with our friends Ezra and Liz, and headed out of town to see some great national parks. Yes, Mara agreed and I even caught her enjoying it! The thing about this area is the beauty of the landscape. I just can't get over how lush the vegetation is, the waterfalls and veiws from the mountains. People are very friendly and helpful, and it's an overall great experience.
The rest of our experience will be focused on health - Yoga, a visit to the Lisu tribe to learn their crafts, an indulgence into the 5-star world, a bit of detoxification, and of course more massages.
That's all for now, will write more soon.
Madoff
I would like to take this opportunity to bid Mr. Madoff good riddance, and may his 70-year-old- ass have a pleasant stay in prison for the next 150 years!!! (Hope he can figure out some sort of scheme to avoid gang rape and being someone's bitch.)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Chiang Mai and the Jungle
Arriving in Chiang Mai after a 12 hour overnight bus ride, we were tired irritable but excited. After waiting around for a few hours we finally set off out of town on our three day - two night jungle trek.
Our jeep woudn its way through the thick foliage of the jungle and let us off at a bamboo pavilion off the side of the road. A quick lunch of freid rice and vegetables, we were on our way. Packed for three days, we - along with 22 young backpackers (mostly gap year brits) - headed up the red dirt path through the moutnains.
The jungle was exquisite. I mean, really, everything you hope to find in a jungle. Lush green foliage, forests of rain, caves, bugs, and humidity!
Our guide took us up and down through the scenery and after 4 0r 5 hours we arrived at a "village" - a few bamboo shacks situated in a clearing - which would be camp for the night.
I really enjoyed the hiking, especially because living in Israel, i don't get out to a bonafide jungle all too often. Mara had a more difficult time, but was a trooper.
We were all too glad to find a stream where we could wet our tired and sticky selves as the day ended.
Day 2 offered easy walking and was chock full of cheesiness and touristacity. We walked through the hills to a clearing on a river to be met by - yes, you guessed it - Elephants.
They are incredible creatures. Massive, graceful, and strong beyond beleif. And now are suffering. Not unlike the quintessential Bedouin who brings out the camel for the tour group and takes it around in a large loop, our elephants were just that. And of course we wnet along with it with out protest, or so much as a "hey, are these elephants properly cared for? Or, what's the proces like that trains them and domesticates them?"
That evening at our next enclave of bamboo shack camping, we all offered our own theories, none of us actually having a clue as to what we are talking about.
Upon our return to Chiang Mai, Mara and I stopped off for dinner at "Taste from Heaven" vegetarian restaurant ( an excellent choice if you happen to be in the area) and had talked with the staff there who gave us the inside scoop. In short, the elephants are severely abused. They are either taken from the wild, or raised in captivity, and totured into performing tricks for Western tourists. The "trainers" use sharp hooks and beat them with sticks. They remove tusks (often causing infections) and it is basically a sick industry.
There are those who offer volunteer programs to help rehabilitate tourist elephants, and we got the sense that while there is growing awareness, the tourist industry of elephant tourism is too strong to penetrate.
The rest of our trip was great, the group dwindled to us, two Danish veterinary students, an Australian woman, and Ezra and Liz from L.A. The last day of hiking and then white-water rafting was just pure fun. The river snaked its way through the jungle slopes which were peppered with wild banana trees/plants, and we enjoyed a relaxing padde through tame white water.
More soon.
(to be con't, but check out pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/joshrwein/MaraAndJoshInThailandAlbum1#)
Arriving in Chiang Mai after a 12 hour overnight bus ride, we were tired irritable but excited. After waiting around for a few hours we finally set off out of town on our three day - two night jungle trek.
Our jeep woudn its way through the thick foliage of the jungle and let us off at a bamboo pavilion off the side of the road. A quick lunch of freid rice and vegetables, we were on our way. Packed for three days, we - along with 22 young backpackers (mostly gap year brits) - headed up the red dirt path through the moutnains.
The jungle was exquisite. I mean, really, everything you hope to find in a jungle. Lush green foliage, forests of rain, caves, bugs, and humidity!
Our guide took us up and down through the scenery and after 4 0r 5 hours we arrived at a "village" - a few bamboo shacks situated in a clearing - which would be camp for the night.
I really enjoyed the hiking, especially because living in Israel, i don't get out to a bonafide jungle all too often. Mara had a more difficult time, but was a trooper.
We were all too glad to find a stream where we could wet our tired and sticky selves as the day ended.
Day 2 offered easy walking and was chock full of cheesiness and touristacity. We walked through the hills to a clearing on a river to be met by - yes, you guessed it - Elephants.
They are incredible creatures. Massive, graceful, and strong beyond beleif. And now are suffering. Not unlike the quintessential Bedouin who brings out the camel for the tour group and takes it around in a large loop, our elephants were just that. And of course we wnet along with it with out protest, or so much as a "hey, are these elephants properly cared for? Or, what's the proces like that trains them and domesticates them?"
That evening at our next enclave of bamboo shack camping, we all offered our own theories, none of us actually having a clue as to what we are talking about.
Upon our return to Chiang Mai, Mara and I stopped off for dinner at "Taste from Heaven" vegetarian restaurant ( an excellent choice if you happen to be in the area) and had talked with the staff there who gave us the inside scoop. In short, the elephants are severely abused. They are either taken from the wild, or raised in captivity, and totured into performing tricks for Western tourists. The "trainers" use sharp hooks and beat them with sticks. They remove tusks (often causing infections) and it is basically a sick industry.
There are those who offer volunteer programs to help rehabilitate tourist elephants, and we got the sense that while there is growing awareness, the tourist industry of elephant tourism is too strong to penetrate.
The rest of our trip was great, the group dwindled to us, two Danish veterinary students, an Australian woman, and Ezra and Liz from L.A. The last day of hiking and then white-water rafting was just pure fun. The river snaked its way through the jungle slopes which were peppered with wild banana trees/plants, and we enjoyed a relaxing padde through tame white water.
More soon.
(to be con't, but check out pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/joshrwein/MaraAndJoshInThailandAlbum1#)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Bangkok.
so we finally made it out of Israel, flew to London, and then London to Bangkok on Qantas. Seriously, if you ever have the opportunity to fly Qantas, I highly recommend it.
We touched down in Bangkok, and were sort of instantly relaxed. Despite the humidity, and the famed grossness, we found our hostel, checked in and walked around a bit.
We found our vegetarian restaurant and got our first Pad Thai and Papaya Salad. Our first evening ended with some rough Thai massages.
We then spent Monday walking around and sightseeing in Bangkok. We were duly impressed by the Grand Palace and the palace of the Emerald Buddha, and the heat pretty much drained us of all desire to go on. So we took a public bus over to some malls, and were cooled off by some much needed aircon and a light drizzle.
We had a generally nice experience walking around and bargaining and drinking beer at the night market.
There are tons of Israeli backpackers here and they have set up travel centers that organize hiking trips and have free luggage storage and internet (that is where we are now). So we are going on one of their hiking trips (http://www.lametayel-thailand.com/; Red Brick Inn - Hiking Trip). If you didn't know otherwise you would think that Israel was an enormous country as it is the only one with centers serving its citizens. It definitely feels like we are taken care of .
The Israelis are definitely an interesteing phenomenon. I haven't found as many locals who speak Hebrew like I did in South America, but this is only the begining. The Israelis we have run into so far were young and out of the army, except for one older lady (early 60s) who is here with her husband for their 5th time.
We are pretty excited to get up to Chiang Mai and to get out of the city. We promise to upload some pics sometime soon.
Love.
so we finally made it out of Israel, flew to London, and then London to Bangkok on Qantas. Seriously, if you ever have the opportunity to fly Qantas, I highly recommend it.
We touched down in Bangkok, and were sort of instantly relaxed. Despite the humidity, and the famed grossness, we found our hostel, checked in and walked around a bit.
We found our vegetarian restaurant and got our first Pad Thai and Papaya Salad. Our first evening ended with some rough Thai massages.
We then spent Monday walking around and sightseeing in Bangkok. We were duly impressed by the Grand Palace and the palace of the Emerald Buddha, and the heat pretty much drained us of all desire to go on. So we took a public bus over to some malls, and were cooled off by some much needed aircon and a light drizzle.
We had a generally nice experience walking around and bargaining and drinking beer at the night market.
There are tons of Israeli backpackers here and they have set up travel centers that organize hiking trips and have free luggage storage and internet (that is where we are now). So we are going on one of their hiking trips (http://www.lametayel-thailand.com/; Red Brick Inn - Hiking Trip). If you didn't know otherwise you would think that Israel was an enormous country as it is the only one with centers serving its citizens. It definitely feels like we are taken care of .
The Israelis are definitely an interesteing phenomenon. I haven't found as many locals who speak Hebrew like I did in South America, but this is only the begining. The Israelis we have run into so far were young and out of the army, except for one older lady (early 60s) who is here with her husband for their 5th time.
We are pretty excited to get up to Chiang Mai and to get out of the city. We promise to upload some pics sometime soon.
Love.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Return from Apathy
Ok, So I wouldn't necessarily consider myself apathetic, it's just that I haven't posted anything here for quite some time, and am trying to change that now. Lot's of amazing and exciting things have happened since I posted last... There was Obama's speech, Bibi's speech, Mubarack's speech- but in my life those are all small news items, as Mara and I just got married, and are now off to Thailand!!! In an attempt to re-vamp this blog, I will be posting and reporting on all of our adventures in marriage, life, and travel as we head to Thailand to relax, explore, have adventures and basically enjoy life.
The Wedding!!!
Well, what can I say? It was the most fantastic day of my life. We had so much fun, and were surrounded by so many great friends and family members. And, the best part is, we get to do it again in September.
Anyhow, for anyone who is interested, feel free to have a look at some pics...
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=2574092&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=2574093&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=2575915&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?page=3&aid=2575927&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=81871&id=622209034
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=82405&id=622209034
http://picasaweb.google.com/mgsheftel/JoshMaraSWedding?authkey=Gv1sRgCIeCoO_D1JPrtwE&feat=email#
And I'm sure there will be more coming....
Thailand.
I'm not quite sure what to expect, so I'll let you know when it happens. We are both looking forward to being off on our own, Fruit shakes, massages Pad Thai, yoga, cooking, beaches, treks, and really whatever comes our way. So check in and be in touch!
L'hitraot,
josh
Ok, So I wouldn't necessarily consider myself apathetic, it's just that I haven't posted anything here for quite some time, and am trying to change that now. Lot's of amazing and exciting things have happened since I posted last... There was Obama's speech, Bibi's speech, Mubarack's speech- but in my life those are all small news items, as Mara and I just got married, and are now off to Thailand!!! In an attempt to re-vamp this blog, I will be posting and reporting on all of our adventures in marriage, life, and travel as we head to Thailand to relax, explore, have adventures and basically enjoy life.
The Wedding!!!
Well, what can I say? It was the most fantastic day of my life. We had so much fun, and were surrounded by so many great friends and family members. And, the best part is, we get to do it again in September.
Anyhow, for anyone who is interested, feel free to have a look at some pics...
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=2574092&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=2574093&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=2575915&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?page=3&aid=2575927&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=81871&id=622209034
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=82405&id=622209034
http://picasaweb.google.com/mgsheftel/JoshMaraSWedding?authkey=Gv1sRgCIeCoO_D1JPrtwE&feat=email#
And I'm sure there will be more coming....
Thailand.
I'm not quite sure what to expect, so I'll let you know when it happens. We are both looking forward to being off on our own, Fruit shakes, massages Pad Thai, yoga, cooking, beaches, treks, and really whatever comes our way. So check in and be in touch!
L'hitraot,
josh
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