May and John belt out a karaoke number at our farewell dinner. May turned out to be more familiar with American pop music than most Americans, and is a great singer to boot.
Our host was May Mahawongtong, a cheerful, energetic businesswoman who operates a good-sized guesthouse in Chang Mai. Chang Mai is Thailand’s second-largest city, and because of its higher altitude, has a cooler, dryer climate than hot, humid Bangkok in the south.
May was surprised in 2010 when a traveller turned up holding a Lonely Planet guidebook. Her guesthouse was listed, and she hadn’t even known. The listing has brought more foreigners, and each morning guests can talk with fellow travelers from all parts of the world while eating breakfast.
Thailand seems to be a land of shrines and temples. It’s also a land of smiling, good-natured people. It’s easy to see why so many Americans settle there. We were entranced.