Now we have completed the registration process for our Foundation project, The Stratton ABC Foundation, it is time for me to apply for my new work permit as Foundation Director. Today I went into Chiang Mai to prepare the nesseccary for this.

First of it was to the Fuji photoshop on Moon muang Rd, close to Johns Place(nothing to do with me), where I had four photos done, (4.5 x 5.6-i think). The proprietor is aware of the correct size needed if you tell him its for a work permit. The whole process takes about 15 minutes and cost 100 baht.

From there I went to Chiang Mai Ram Hospital on Arak Rd, for a health certificate and blood test for syphillis. This is where things went a bit askewd. I needed to produce my passport, which i thought I had taken. Unfortunately I had taken the empty cover! So it looks like I need to go back tomorrow.

After that hiccup I popped into Kad Suan kaow Shopping Plaza to pick up the  reading glasses that I ordered last week.

I can highly recommend the ” Beautiful Optical” shop, on the ground floor of the Plaza. close to the Bangkok Bank.

They have a wide range of frames and lenses to suit all pockets. There is a free eye test, using computerised scanning equipment to assess your precise needs, and the service is very friendly.

After a brief session of window shopping it was back home to get on with website work.

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During a visit to Chiang Mai this weekend I came across this interesting stall in the lower floor of Kad Suan Kaow shopping Plaza. Foot therapy in the manner of letting lots of little fish feed on your dead skin.
I decided to try it out, even at 99 baht for just 15 minutes. As it was, the girl on the stall told me that a special promotion meant that I would get 30 minutes for the same price.
After first washing my feet, I took my place, dangling my feet into one of the several large tanks on display. It wasn’t long before the tiny fish started munching, and I have to say that this therapy was not as pleasant as I’d hoped.
It felt like lots of mini-electric shocks as the fish enjoyed a banquet of dead foot skin. I’m also not sure of the hygeine factor as I would imagine that, with many different feet going into these tanks, the water ought to be changed each time. This didn’t happen. I watched for a while and it was simply a scooping out of floating dead skin between customers.
As for the after effects. Immediately after my feet were quite sore, although only similar to after a skin stripping pedicure. But the day after I developed a deep crack in the skin of my big toe, where most of the fish had been feeding.Coincidence maybe, as i do suffer such ailment occassionally in this climate, but I don’t think I’ll be trying this therapy again for a long while.

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The missed mention is that of an early morning Sunday procession down Ratchadamnoen Rd. A colourful affair with a group of the colorful boy ‘Princes’ on miniature horse back leading a group of very young ‘pre-novices’ all dressed in their white robes and clutching Lotus flowers.
frustratingly, my camera battery went flat after just two clicks, must remember to carry a spare.

Boy Princes
busy sunday
busy sunday

The madness was Sunday evening, pleasantly busy but high stress for me coping with trying to train new staff without the time to do it. Still we coped and as far as i could see all our customers were happy, and that’s whats important.

lovely guesthouse guest Kirsten

lovely guesthouse guest Kirsten

Thanks alot to Kirsten, spending time with us while she prepares to move on to India.

She spent much time chatting to my Mum after the rest of the family had retired and I was busy pulling my hair out and slipping in and out of Basil Fawlty mode as I’m apt to do under stress.

Back to the family visit and Friday which mainly involved a visit to Central Shopping Plaza, Kad Suan kaow, on Huay Kaow rd.

Various things were needed, sandals for Jamie, sunblock, mobile phone, travelers needs. Being a hot day and the kids still suffering a little, Kad Suan Kaow seemed the best option.

First stop was a shoe shop on the ground floor who were most insistent that i did not take photographs inside their shop; so i didn’t. I’m not much of a shopper, especially in a group, so I snuck off to my haven for Ice Coffee. Boon however, was in his element and stuck with the family.

Photo outside shop

Photo outside shop

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