I’ve moved on. I spent over three lovely weeks in Chiang Mai, cycling daily from cafe to restaurant to crossfit to live music, and doing almost every excursion imaginable: a thai farm cooking class, an elephant park, elephant Mahout training, ziplining, Tiger Kingdom, the night safari, and of course, Poopoopaperpark. Oh yeah, I also visited a hilltribe and a coffee plantation, and did a bit of barrista training. After three weeks the only thing left to do was ride a motorbike like a local, so I did that too.
I was sad about leaving the cafe-crawling capital, but this tiny town called Nan has a certified hipster cafe. I personally certified it when the barrista complimented my Herschel laptop bag. As if the name didn’t give it away, Vespresso. Half Vespa gallery, half cafe.
The Canadian embassy in Bangkok gave me an update: at least 10 more days until my new my passport will be ready. Even though I lost my passport, drivers license and a handful of cash, and I’m waiting 3 weeks for a new passport, I actually feel like I’m winning! Yesterday I tried my 13th cafe in Chiang Mai and arrived just as a coffee cupping class was beginning. I asked,
“Can I learn how to do that too?”
“Yes, ok.”
“Great. When?”
“Right now. Come come.”
“Ok!”
So I learned coffee cupping, the art of smelling and tasting coffee. During this I met Pauline from France who invited me to visit her in France this summer. Deal! Then Pauline introduced me to a latte art afficionado who offered to train me in latte art later this week. Double whammy. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, I think I found the pot of gold.
Yesterday I went to a gallery-district cafe with heavenly coconut cream pie. Today’s gem has macaron and honey lattes, and a tree growing through the roof. Since I’m back on the coffee bandwagon I’m spending my afternoons looking for the best little cafe in Chiang Mai. Two down, twelve to go. Tasty times!
