Travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand

The year before we got married, my wife was able to live a lifelong dream. She was able to set foot outside of the USA and visit Thailand.

A door opened up for her when Wheels of Hope approached her and asked if she would like to help on a missions trip. Wheels of Hope reconditions donated wheelchairs and other medical equipment for people in impoverished countries - mostly in Central and South America.

Wheels of Hope gives reconditioned equipment away for free, but director Patrick Rimke said the group must go outside the United States to eliminate the possibility of lawsuits should something go wrong. Most of the equipment goes to Central and South America, and the organization also works with a missionary team in Thailand. It was the group's first trip to Thailand.

This was a golden opportunity to live her dream to go outside of the US borders as well as being able to share from the most inner part of her heart. They flew into Bangkok, but Chiang Mai was their destination.

Their mission was to give medical equipment to people who all their lives had to just "live with what they had." They either had to stay at home in bed because they had absolutely nothing or always had to be carried. My wife uses a manual wheelchair herself, so this was such an awesome and meaningful experience for her.

The Wheels of Hope crew also showed the people in Thailand that the God who healed the blind man and
helped the lame to walk was the same God who loves and cares for them, too.

Even though they had a lot of work to do, they did take some down time to visit the countryside and soak in Thailand's beauty.

NIGHT BAZZARE
One of the most fascinating things that differentiates Chiang Mai from good old Midwestern America is the Night Bazaar. This can either be a shopping nightmare for the squeamish or a match made in heaven for the shopaholic or bargain queen. The atmosphere is as it sounds - it happens at night, and boy, is it bizarre.

In this bustling crowd of activity, you squeeze through three blocks of displays to hunt for the cheap Rolex, the best silks,
handicrafts, jewelry .. you name it they have it for you to buy. A farang (non Thai), try as they might, won't get near the same bargains as the natives. My wife did half of her Christmas shopping during those excursions.

Take your time and be patient, but most of all, learn how to bargain! Thai market traders expect it and their opening gambit will always be about twice what you ought to pay. The longer you persist with a 'friendly' argument, the better your final price will be.

TEA AND RIPE SOCKS
The food is definitely another treat. My wife just loves tea and was thinking she'd be at home in an Asian country because Asians drink a lot of tea right? Well in all of her meetings she had to attend, they all served a very light coffee. She doesn't drink coffee, and it doesn't sound like something I (who likes strong black coffee) would like, either.

However, you'll never find pineapple as she had them - not even in Hawaii. A Thai delicacy wouldn't be so desired in
American culture. They love to fry bugs and eat raw pork. You are considered to be among the high class to eat raw pork. Perhaps the most unique part of Thailand is durian, the king of Thai fruit people either love it or hate it; there
is no in between. My wife actually tried to try it, but it was so stinky she just couldn't bring herself to it. You can't miss the aroma, which is often compared to a barnyard or ripe socks, but let's just say that a ripe durian is incredibly pungent.

You'll do and see things in Chiang Mai that you won't ever have experience here. In Chiang Mai you can ride an elephant on a mountain and feel the elephant slip and hear the rocks crumble. You'll see wing spans of butterflies that are larger then a 6' man's arm spread. Most of all, travel for the beautiful colors and the people. Thailand is known as the land of smiles and it knows no bounds in Chiang Mai.

Some day she says she going to go back with me and our little daughter. Chiang Mai with your great foods, bazzare nights and stinky socks ... here we come!