When I got to the airport, I tried to pay for the limo with my Visa and for some reason it wouldn't go through. So I paid with cash - no big deal.
Then at the airport, I decided to buy one of those neck pillows (after good reviews from a few friends). I tried to pay with my Visa and, you guessed it, it wouldn't go through. The woman at the cash (a trainee) told me the problem was with my card.
Yikes! That's just what I need as I'm about to embark on a nearly three-week trip and I only have one credit card.
A quick call to Visa eventually cleared everything up and I'm happy to report that I have a fully functioning Visa card AND a comfy new neck pillow, which I intend to make good use of later today.
In the last few days, I've been doing more reading about things to do in the area around Chiang Mai after the big build. One of the highlights seems to be the opportunity to get up close and personal to the elephants. But, like all popular tourist activities, some are better than others. And the consensus from all I've read is that the best is the Elephant Conservation Center. It suddenly occurred to me that if I've figured that out, chances are many other people have too, and that maybe leaving it till I get to Chiang Mai isn't such a great idea. So I decided to check things out.
Good thing I did, because they're almost totally booked for November. As I write this, I'm in the airport in Chicago, and I just got an email saying I can reserve a three-day VIP course from November 28 - 30, right at the end of my stay here.
The elephant I'd be working with is Jum Pui. Have a look at this guy:
Now, if I can just figure out how to unclog my right ear after landing here in Chicago, everything will be fine.
Just another 22 hours or so left to go...
