Dawn Chorus in Chiang Mai

Dave says:
One of the things I really enjoy about travelling is awaking to the foreign sounds of whatever country we may be in. In Sri Lanka it was both Buddhist and Muslim prayers being broadcast from the neighboring temples. Preceding this, though, always seems to be a chorus of roosters - and I like this because it reminds me of our life in Bodega. Sometimes the rooster, especially on full moon nights, decides to start at about 3 AM but when he hears no response he decides maybe he should get back to the roost. I, on the other hand, am now completely wide awake. I bring this all up because here in Chiang Mai there seems to be a unique difference in the creature. For those who remember the classic cartoon, 'Lady and the Tramp', you will recall some of Tramps buddies serenading the couple. I believe it may have been a quintet. Right behind our hotel appears to be the equivalent to Ladysmith Black Mambazo. There must be at least 20 dogs ranging from baritone to soprano and even falsetto, some in the bark tone and others in the howl. It generally starts about 5AM with a soloist howler that laments for about 5 minutes and then as if being conducted everybody else joins in for their part. This continues maybe 20 minutes and then, again as if a conductor has given his command, they all come to rest. It amuses us no end because we remember this from 3 years ago here, and we are generally early risers, but the overheard comments from new guests ... well sometimes we have to bite our tongues to stop from laughing. Maybe an hour after our lot has stopped we hear another chorus - just the same - from further down the street. Obviously another neighborhood with there own choir. Anyway, it will be nice to hear roosters again - maybe when we get down to the coast.

This is a little out of order and Bettysue can catch you up on Laos and I have a few observations about eating in Thailand, but for that you will have to wait just a little.