I suppose it’s rapidly becoming annual tradition for me to spend a few weeks traveling, during which I read non-stop. I didn’t intend to read so much, as I didn’t bring any books aside from my journal and a Chinese book to study with, but I’m returning to China the day after tomorrow with a bag full of books. In the last week I’ve read The Beach, The Hot Zone, Day of the Triffids, Are You Experienced?, and I’m reading Investment Biker now. I think that’s all of them.

While in Pai I bought an excellent hand-made hammock from a small shop at a busy intersection. I set up the hammock this morning in the room at my guesthouse after finding huge caribbeaners (those rock climbing hook-clasp-things) for sale at an Army surplus store. Reclining in it and reading for 30 minutes I found it immensely more comfortable than the bed, so I thought about sleeping in the hammock tonight to see how it works out. I took the pillow from the bed and relaxed, quickly drifting into sleep. Just as I was drifting into unconsciousness something snaps and the hammock comes crashing down to the floor. I had known that this was a possibility when setting it up, but the moment at which it decided to happen caught me off guard. I felt like before I even hit the ground I instinctively paniced and caught myself before hitting the ground, instantly wide awake. No longer sleepy, I packed up the hammock and went outside for a walk. Good times in the hammock.

I’m headed to the farthest northwest reaches of Thailand, to the opium production den of Asia. The meeting point of Thailand, Burma, and Laos. Before going straight into Myanmar I’ll try to catch a boat on the Mekong, either to China or to Laos. I don’t know where I’m headed yet, but I’m more interested in hitching a ride on a commercial boat than on one made for passengers. I’m not really sure where I’ll surface, but the allure and mystery of the area is what’s drawing me towards it. Hopefully I won’t wander into an opium production facility and get shot at, but even that would make a good story. See you on the other side of the Mekong.