Chiang Mai-Bangkok-Singapore

They should call these things "Hangover Cafes"; the internet is just an addendum. Yesterday was spent riding a motorcycle through the mountains of Chiang Mai, stopping occassionally at temples to interact with the monks. The city itself is comfortable and hides its 1.5 million inhabitants well. The climate is cool, due to the altitude, but the people are warm. Food is cheap and good beer is almost too accessible. Almost. Last night we went to a riverside bar and listened to a Thai Simon and Garfunkel/Beatles cover band. I had no idea that this whole time the song was called "Clemson and Crover"! After a great performance of "Rove, Rove Me Do" we sped to the university mostly because my traveling companion has an insatiable desire to meet Thai girls and partially because we wanted to hang out with kids our age. The night club was entertaining and we mingled with a few people, myself always skeptical of the "gender benders" (transexuals) that are so prevalent in Thailand. I was never one for surprises. Today I ride a 14-hour train to Bangkok and then get on a plane to Singapore. I bought "Eleven Minutes" by Paulo Coehlo, a book titled "Any Human Heart", and "Lolita", the Nabakov classic. I anticipate finishing them all before arriving at Charlotte Douglas in T-5 days.