Tuu

Guides are like children. Their personalities are very different, and you have to appreciate them for the uniqueness that they bring to life, and not compare them with each other.

You also have to take into account cultural differences, even in the same country. Think about it – the demeanor of people in the Southern US is very different than the north, and yet you can appreciate both of them.

At first, Tuu was all business, very formal. Beginning the second day, though, he got used to us and loosened up a bit and we thoroughly enjoyed his company.

Tuu is 35, and is going back to school to get his MBA and in Human Resources. His undergraduate degree (which he got in Bangkok) was in a business field, although we can’t recall exactly what. He worked several years in import – export before becoming a travel guide. He manages the Chiang Mai office for a tour agency based in Bangkok.   To get between Chiang Mai and Bangkok during college, he rode the bus since it only cost 650B ($20.00, more or less) each way.

The downside -- it was a ten hour ride.

He’s originally from Chiang Mai, and, like many other people we talked to here, is proud of his City. It’s interesting, but they universally point out that they’re not Bangkok. It’s different and, in many ways more pleasant.

The weather is cooler here – even though it was in the 70’s, many people had on jackets and hoodies, and more than one toddler was bundled up in sweatsuits over their clothes.

Tuu has 10 – yes, TEN siblings!

Notice that Tuu is wearing a coat.  He wore it the entire day.  When we were sweltering around 1pm I asked him why he continued to wear the coat.  He indicated it was to prevent a tan.  He laughingly told us how the Thai people are all about keeping their skin as white as possible.