Chiang Mai - Thai Boxing Day

Today for our excursion we signed up for a Muay Thai boxing class. This was Joseph's idea. He really wanted to do it, and I was game because it sounded like it could be fun. Honestly, I was also apprehensive.

I don't think it is a popular excursion since it seemed like the lady we talked to just called her friend and we were the only two people there. At 1 in the afternoon two people showed up on scooters to pick us up for our lesson. They drove us through town to a very authentic boxing ring. There were two funny things about the scooter ride. First, Joseph and I were on the back of separate scooters, me with the wife, him with the husband. But, Joseph and the husband weren't the only two people on the scooter, the couple's 7 year-old son was standing in the front. The three of them on a scooter like it was a family car or something. I could not stop laughing. Second (this one is equal parts funny and scary) they drove us a little outside of town into this little neighborhood and the boxing ring was just outside covered by a tin roof. There were even chickens running around. I thought to myself multiple times "this guy could just kidnap us and no one would know where we are."

Once we got there our teacher ( a "number one champion") had us change into some official boxing shorts, then we warmed up by jogging around the block a few times and doing the jump rope. He spent some time teaching us the moves, during which I was complemented greatly on my skill and technique as a Mauy Thai fighter. At the end of the lesson we got to spar against the teacher which was really fun. It makes you feel tough, even though I would really only last maybe 2 seconds against this guy in real life. At one point during our sparring some of the neighborhood kids gathered around and were basically just laughing at me, because I don't think they get many tourists in that gym.

The class lasted for four hours and it was a lot of fun, even though we were both soaked through with sweat by the end. Our teacher was no nice and it was a great experience. Joseph and I were the only ones there which was awesome.

So after the class we got ready and went out on the town for some dinner. I had some delicious green curry that was again very spicy.

One great thing about this hotel is that they give you a free drink from the bar every day, so we ended our day with chocolate milk in bed and a movie. I could really get used to vacation.