Umbrella Factory in Borsong near Chiang Mai

Umbrella "flowers " drying before being painted

Friday and Saturday we traveled to Chiang Mai, about 5 hours west from Nan.   Much of the trip is winding mountain roads or agricultural valley bottoms and has the feel of traveling in parts of British Columbia, until you realize that the trees climbing up the mountain sides are teak, bamboo and banana and the main crop in the valleys is rice. The reason to visit Chiang Mai was to open a bank account .... the branch of the national Thai bank here in Nan is too small to be able to open accounts for "Fulungs" or foreigners..and in order to apply for long stay visa I need a bank account.  The banking  was quickly accomplished and then we got to shop!!  Oh My!!  Chiang Mai is a shoppers mecca and a two day visit only confuses and hints at all that is available as you travel along the streets in this busy city about the size of Vancouver. One of the places, after the English language used book store, that we visited was the Umbrella Factory in Borsong. Here they make and decorate umbrellas using only hand tools.   The thing about Thailand that I keep noticing is the way the new or modern and the old traditional sometimes " smack " against each other.   Its not a great picture, but the lady was sitting crossed legged on the bench high table working on bamboo spines, but then turned to answer her cell phone, while the electric fan helped to keep her cool.

Old and New

 

We had a great, if fast trip and I know that we will head back to Chiang Mai in the not too distant future..there are silk factories and Hill tribe markets and other books stores to be explored as well as the beautiful wooden furniture outlets and a huge Home Depot for building necessities.
Take care.