Running, to Mae Sai

On the 15th of this month I left the security of my little town and ventured to Chiang Mai. I met up with some friends in Chiang Mai, Norbert a guitar player in a band that I'm in, Joe Cummings the chief editor for Lonely Planet, and Marie a girl that Joe is in a band with called The Tonic Rays. We hung out, had pizza and talked then Norbert and I left the next morning for Mae Sai for my first visa run. Mae Sai is the city on the border of Thailand and Burma (Myanmar), a very common spot to go for visa runs for "farang" (the Thai word for "westerner") living in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai or surrounding areas. We took a V.I.P. bus to Mae Sai because it's not much more money, it's faster, and WAY more comfortable of a ride.
Upon arrival in Mae Sai I was informed that I had overstayed my time in Thailand by one day so I needed to pay a fine of 500B, roughly 15$ CND. After paying the fine I continued across the border and went shopping because it is ridiculously cheap there. I bought a couple of seasons of t.v. shows: Lost, and Heroes. (Fook brought a T.V. over to my place!) and I also bought some movies. 30B for each one, I got some Eric Clapton dvds, Jack Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and some others.
I got a hoodie, sunglasses and some other clothes also.
After shopping I met Norbert back on the other side of the border, Thailand, and we hopped on the bus to go back to Chiang Mai. A busy day.
The next morning I headed back to Pai! All is well!

I also went for a run the other day, 45 minutes, into the mountains on a trail that keeps going for about 8km. Me and some buddies intend on doing it soon as a day trip. It leads to a waterfall! My friends Trudy and Katie, both Canadians, go almost everyday for a bike ride of a run at around 5 or 6 pm., when the sun starts to set. I'm going to try to accompany them as much as I can!

Have a great Christmas everyone, miss and love you lots! From across the world, your friend, Matt.