23-Dec-2013 Monday

As has become my routine, I spent much of the morning walking around parts of the old city of Chiang Mai, this time walking out to the Loh Kroi area, where the medical clinic I visited last year is, and also where the large Chiang Mai Thai boxing arena is located. Thai boxing, called Muay Thai, is pretty big in Thailand, and I am told that this area is quite busy when there are matches, and often during the day as this is where many young men train in small gyms in the shadow of the main arena.

The internet was out for a time this afternoon when I would normally work in my room, so I went looking for a coffee shop that might have free internet. Not so easy to find. In the high tourist areas, free internet access at coffee shops and restaurants is a newly emerging concept. Even Starbucks does not offer free internet access. The reason is probably that in the high tourist areas, the coffee hours do not want people parking and using the internet for extended periods, taking up space. I have learned since from Rose and John (of Wild Rose Yoga) that there are a few new and good coffee houses inside the old city that do offer free internet access, and do not mind people hanging out for a time. (This is an option to working in my room I shall explore, which sometimes feels a bit isolating.)

I did take a few pictures of the 3-Sis Guest House.

First is my room — it is plain but functional; I do not need much else. From this view, the desk looks small, but while I am working, it is fine.

This is a picture of the stairway atrium. Because the guest house is only three floors, there is no elevator.

This is a view of the front entrance of 3-Sis on lane 8 off Phrapokklao Road.

A view from just inside the front entrance looking at the front desk. The person standing is Tine, so named because she was born on Valentine’s Day. Tine manages the front desk and the general operation during the day. Poppy, one of the three sisters and owner, is also almost always here during this season. I’m hoping to get closer picture of the staff, Poppy, Tine, Boom, and Su. They are all very nice.

This is the lobby and sitting area, and this view is just to the right of the previous picture. The white panel or sign is a detailed map of Chiang Mai (the same map I have on the wall in my office at HealthCare Partners). I typically do not spend much time in the lobby, but there are often several people there.

I returned to yoga this evening for the third consecutive day. The first two classes were relatively slow, and were almost restorative – just right for my re-introduction to general practice. Tonight’s class was an introduction to Yin Yoga, a practice that is very slow, holding many poses a long time (up to 5 minutes) so the stretches benefit the connective tissue, tendons, fascia, ligaments. This was a challenge, but just what I needed to help stretch some of my tight muscles. I am back to yoga; it feels great!