Ultimately I was to witness two totally different sides of Thailand. In this part of my trip – we traveled North to the Golden Triangle – The natives here were fierce and guarded the opium fields and dens ferociously (many of them toting machine guns). We had to contend with train robbing , horseback ridding bandits to get here. I did not feel safe until we stumbled onto a private community – that welcomed us in. Here I was able to see a gentler side of the Thai people (who by the way have never been conquered- which says quite a bit …). In the early 1980’s the Hill tribes of Northern Thailand were still living much as they hadfor centuries. Their skills with needle, fabric and thread were unparalleled. Color, patterns and textures were used lavishly in their folk art. I was lucky enough to get to see such skills and x craftmanship. Oh, and if you have never had Thai food – in Thailand … you have no idea what you are missing!
