Expensive Overnight Moving Hotel with No Frills, Cockroaches included.

Bangkok was stiffling. We managed to fit in a lot of activities into a 4 day span but it was so busy, dirty, and fast. Last night we boarded the overnight train to Chiang Mai.  First Class was sold out so we traveled Second Class on a sleeper car. It was not so bad for me, but Christina had trouble sharing her space with some small cockroaches. Before leaving Bangkok we had taken an adventure to a floating marketplace. where vendors on boat float buy to sell the same tourist crap that you can find everywhere in Bangkok, but also so fresh fruit and foods.  The adventure ended by taking a speed boat throught the canels of a village and seeing how the population lives using the river for most of the trasportation.  We met a swiss girl on the tour and found her on the train. Together Christina, myself, and our Swiss friend Eva talked for several hours. Then we taught her cribbage and played a game before going to bed. 
When we woke up, the sun was almost rising and the hillsides around Chiang Mai were comming into view. Beautiful sunrise of bright orange.
The lonley planet recommeded a place to sleep called Julies Guest House. We tried there first but the courtyard and lobby remided me of a hippie frat party (if ever one existed). We decided to keep walking.  We found a quiet guesthouse called the Western for only 400 baht a night (roughly $13).  That includes hot water shower and western toilet in your room, A/C, and a TV.  It is not in the lonley planet book, which is probably why it is quiet and comfortable. Our second floor room balcony overlooks a Wat (temple) and it is beautiful. Already I am sure that the Spirit of Thailand that travlers hunt for is more easily found in Chiang Mai than in Bangkok. I like it here.
- James

Dear Cockroach Nation,
 I know it is very un-Buddha-like of me to smash you like I want to, so I will not. But please give me the same respect and do not explore my coffee cup.
Thank you, C
P.S. I also was hit by a car. I'm fine. Drivers in Thailand are crazy. Did you know they drive on the wrong side of the road, so I looked the way you do in USA, right to left, and it was clear. Stepped out and. BAM, a rearview mirror hit my soda can and it exploded. Needless to say, it was around a billion tourists, and freaked the heck out of James. But I am fine... just a little bruise on my ankle. Everything is fine. Don't worry, Mom and Dr. P. I am very careful now when crossing the street and only try one way streets if possible...stop laughing, Brian...
-C