Attracting dogs in Chiang Mai

I've happily survived two tuk-tuk rides. One, alone and in the dark. Chiang Mai is wonderful! The conference is going extremely well. The opening ceremony was very spectacular. It seemed a very odd mix of Thai traditional music (in a contemporary style), drumming, the Eurovision Song Contest, dancing and a fashion show (oh ... and some random images of stars and an asteroid belt). When we first arrived we were all invited to go and have our photo taken with a lady who wasn't wearing much. I declined the invitation, but had a garland of flowers placed around my neck instead.

The food has been excellent! Actually, that reminds me to state that everyone should fly on Thai! It's a great airline whose air hostesses think that one should have two beers and one cognac with your breakfast.

A few hours ago, Vikram and I decided to skip a few talks and go out and work on a paper instead. We found a few bars in the centre of Chiang Mai that helped with the paper writing.

We also went past some amazing Wats. The largest one was incredible. There was a sleeping buddha. Life-sized stone elephants. Lots of monks walking around. Also incredible realistic wax statues of long-dead monks in glass cabinets.

Later, after walking around a bit on my own (and seemingly attracting all the dogs of Chiang Mai to follow me), I met back up with Vikram, Emma and Justin for dinner at an excellent restaurant. We had "thorn soup" with "banana flower" and a few other delicious dishes.

Just so you know, the "recitation of Monks' disciplinary rules is held on the full-moon day, or the 14th or 15th day of waning moon. The community of monks who are eligible to perform this ceremony must belong to the same sect or nikaya, and have not committed the big offense."