~gone are the days when we stopped to decide where we should go - we just ride~

So I finished my first book on the road, my fifth Tom Robbins: Another Roadside Attraction. As with all Robbins, the masterpiece is packed to the brim with all things meaningful and comical. I thought I'd share a quote:

"The principal difference between an adventurer and a suicide is that the adventurer leaves himself a margin of escape (the narrower the margin the greater the adventure), a margin whose width and length may be determined by unknown factors but whose successful navigation is determined by the measure of the adventurer's nerve and wits. It is always exhilarating to live by one's nerves or toward the summit of one's wits."

To me, it's a pretty spot on depiction of why people push themselves to the limits of adventure.

So after three days at Pai's notorious circus school

I can juggle three balls, walk half a slackline, and do four poi tricks - if i could upload this stupid video, I could demonstrate just how poorly I can do the poi tricks. But alas! 

Aside from aimless play, Pai offered me a very friendly traveller community, the best food I've had so far in Thailand (thanks to Greg's thoughtful suggestion),

A nice little waterfall where I did some good writing, a gorgeous canyon, a random settlement of Chinese refugees from communism, and truly breathtaking views from anywhere in the town

I wouldn't be far amiss by calling this place the Boulder, CO of Thailand, but, to borrow a phrase from Japhy of Dharma Bums (and likely elsewhere) "comparisons are odious".

Anyway, this morning I had a urge to wander so I packed up and headed for the hills. Three hours Northwest, I landed in Mae Hong Son which is a pretty sizable town of absolutely zero appeal to the tourist. So I'm just admiring the view from this cafe

and wondering where I'll be sleeping tonight. In fact, I think I'll explore a bit and solve that problem.

Later!