the hiking monologues.

written: Saturday afternoon 18 September.

Yesterday was Doi-Suthep Struggle Day. Well I gave it that nickname. just now. but it’s accurate.

We left school at about 8:30 and started on our way up Doi-Suthep at about 9:00 at about 600m elev. We stopped for a break at a small mountain side Wat around 10:30 and then drove to a waterfall inside Doi-Suthep National Park to eat lunch. Then from there we continued to hike up the mountain following a narrow path that disappeared behind a large sign on which was clearly written in English NO ENTRY. But we were following a Nation Park worker as our guide so it must have been a safe route. The path we took ascended along the river past a series of waterfalls and dodged and weaved across the river a few times. After successfully heaving ourselves up the steep incline that was easily a steeper grade than 45degrees in several spots, probable around 60, we changed our clothes and were taken to the Doi-Suthep Wat, quite the tourist destination. We were told later that just a couple years ago, two people died after not carefully following the trail we took and had attempted to scramble up a waterfall rather than go around. One person fell, and the second fell while attempting to help the first. We had no such tragedies, group injuries from the day: a cut from some thorns, a coma like sleep because of Benadryl taken to prevent a bee-sting allergic reaction, and lastly a bloody spot from a leech that snuck into someone’s gaiters.

We had three stops along the way where we’re instructed to take detailed notes of our surroundings to practice our observation skills. We we’re supposed to be also coming up with a total of 15 questions from the day, I found this to be a struggle after about the first three, when I started becoming tired and thus snarkier and snarkier by the minute. I think this should fairly accurately convey my physical/emotional state throughout the day.

Things I want to know more about:

1. How long do dead bamboo stands remain standing?
2. Are those leaves that wrap around themselves considered pitcher plants?
3. Are the plants here that look like water plants in America but grow all over the ground here related to waterplants or am I crazy?
4. What percentage of native plants are grasses?
5. How long does it take for vines to reach such lengths and diameters?
(here’s where they rapidly take a turn for the worse)
6. Why are banana leaves so big?
7. Can banana leaves be used in wind turbines?
8. Are wild pigs afraid of thunder?
9. Other than my pants, where’s a good place to poop while hiking
10a. are those crazy leg gestures from that bright orange bee a form of sign language?
10b. does lauren understand bee sign language?
11. How often should I reapply bugspray?
12. Do I have dengue?
13. Is Lauren crying or laughing?
14. Why does it feel like I have ants in my pants?
15. How long did it take that cricket to hop all the way up here?

Also, as a side note, I’m learning a traditional northern thai dance with my nongs. I’ll be performing it Thursday night with them at our the ISDSI host family going away party.