It Begins...

3 flights, two layovers (though they were more like rushovers. I have to leave more time between flights next time) and about 20 hours later, I have finally arrived in Chiang Mai. The fifteen minutes I spent in Hong Kong were nice; Bangkok was also very pleasant in the same capacity. But Chiang Mai will be my home for the next 6 months, so onto that. I did not expect this, but the moment I walked out of the airport in Chiang Mai, I was hit with that old familiar smell of a city in a developing country. Thoughts of Ghana and India flooded my memory as the smells of auto fuel, sweat, and damp air enveloped me. These are not bad smells, just very unique smells that can only be experienced, and made me feel even more comfortable in my decision. I like to think I thrive in these kinds of places.

I am staying in a swanky hotel tonight for about the cost of a Motel 6, and will be meeting people from the school tomorrow. They will show me my room, take me around (I hope) and help me get a sense of where things are. Then I have a few days to get settled before I start teaching. Until then, know that I arrived safely with all my bags, and I'm ready to begin this adventure.