Feb 7, 2002: This is no vacation. Granted, it wasn't meant to be a vacation — so I guess this is fine. I'm sleeping well, which is also good. But I don't have a minute of free time. Up at dawn (literally), go to class, lunch, "work" (Heifer), home, eat, study. Repeat. I haven't even been to my pool, yet. Heck, I don't even know when it's open — if it's all night, I might make it.
To get around I take a total of 3 songtaows (means 2 benches; these are covered pickup trucks with benches installed in the bed for passengers. They are moderately comfortable and relatively cheap. I spend about a total of 90 minutes a day on them, plus half an hour walking to/from. I'll write about "mass transit" (such as it is) at another time — you've never experienced anything quite like this. The trip from my apartment to school can take 5 minutes or 25, at the same time of day. The songtaow may go directly to my destination, or all over Chiang Mai. Unpredictable. [I've figured out the "right" price, so I no longer overpay for my travels — unless I'm desperate]
For dinner I've either walked to the supermarket (they serve food there, a kind of cafe) or bought food at the supermarket and prepared it at my apartment. Cooking facilities are nominal (no stove), so cooking opportunities, variety, are equally limited.
Class remains fun but frustrating, I expect to be instantaneously competent at something I've never broached before. It's not gunna happen. But I do see some progress in my day to day interactions — so there's hope.